KARZAI REJECTS CALL TO END DEATH PENALTY BUT SAYS LIFE SENTENCING BETTER

Afghani President Hamid Karzai expressed reservations about imposing the death penalty but rejected calls to abolish capital punishment in his country. "I am very slow in approving the orders for executions," Karzai said. "I prefer life sentencing because that would serve as a better lesson." The Supreme Court recently upheld rulings by lower courts to sentence about 100 people to death, despite concerns that the fledgling legal system does not ensure fair trials. Karzai must give final approval for executions to take place. However, in cases such as kidnappings and killings of innocents, Karzai said he would follow Shariah, or Islamic law, which sanctions capital punishment.