On August 3, 1998, a Presidential Decree by Law No...

On August 3, 1998, a Presidential Decree by Law No 24 was issued, stipulating that those who will lead a gang for kidnapping or bandit, stealing or looting public or private properties by force will face death penalty. And any partner in such action will face the same punishment. More than 100 foreigners, mostly tourists but including some diplomats, have been kidnapped by disgruntled tribesmen since 1992. Most were released unharmed. At least 14 people were put to death in Yemen in 1998. All were convicted of murder. The cases of hundreds of people sentenced to death in previous years were at different stages of the appeal process.