Death sentences
Archive theme
A death sentence is not the same thing as an execution: years can pass between the two, and the sentence may be overturned on appeal, commuted, or never carried out. Counting them separately measures two different things: how far a state resorts to capital punishment, and how far it actually applies it.
This page collects the news on death sentences handed down around the world, on the later stages of appeal, and on the sentences upheld or overturned. Executions have a page of their own.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2018BahamasDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
- JANUARY 1, 2018ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2018CubaDEATH PENALTY
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
- JANUARY 1, 2018Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
On 13 February 2014, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, signed the Decree 426/2.014 which establishes a moratorium on the death penalty with immediate effect.
On 13 February 2014, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, signed the Decree 426/2.014 which establishes a moratorium on the death penalty with immediate effect.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Guinea-BissauDEATH PENALTY
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
- JANUARY 1, 2018GambiaDEATH PENALTY
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2018IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Trinidad & TobagoDEATH PENALTY
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
- JANUARY 1, 2018YemenDEATH PENALTY
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
- JANUARY 1, 2018TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for murder, drug offenses, treason and military offenses.
The death penalty is provided for murder, drug offenses, treason and military offenses.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
- JANUARY 1, 2018UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2018NigerDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
- JANUARY 1, 2018TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
DECEMBER 25, 2017BahrainDEATH PENALTYBAHRAIN: SIX SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, TERROR ATTACKS
Bahrain’s High Military Court sentenced six defendants, including a soldier, to death on charges of forming a terrorist group, attempting to assassinate the Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) and carrying out terror attacks.
- DECEMBER 21, 2017IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
USA - Illinois. Gabriel Solache Exonerated.
USA - Illinois. Gabriel Solache Exonerated.
- DECEMBER 20, 2017DEATH PENALTY
VIRGINIA (USA): JOSEPH GIARRATANO LEAVES THE PRISON
Joseph Giarratano left the prison today, 38 years after having been sentenced to death for a rape and double murder that lawyers and supporters have long said he did not commit.
DECEMBER 20, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: TWO NIGERIAN STUDENTS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUGS TRAFFICKING
Two Nigerian college students were handed the death sentence by the Shah Alam High Court after they were found guilty of trafficking 3.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine three years ago.
- DECEMBER 20, 2017VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Virginia. Joseph Giarratano left prison today
USA - Virginia. Joseph Giarratano left prison today
- DECEMBER 19, 2017BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
Mooketsi Kgosibodiba sentenced to death for murder
19 December 2017: Francistown High Court Judge Moesi sentenced Mooketsi Kgosibodiba to death for the murder of Benjamin Makobela back in 2012 at Makobo village.
DECEMBER 19, 2017IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ANOTHER WOMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ADULTERY IN TEHRAN
A woman was sentenced to death for adultery by the 1st Branch of the Alborz Penal Court in Alborz Province.
DECEMBER 18, 2017ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: THOUSANDS WATCH AS 10 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH IN SPORT STADIUM
A court in China has sentenced 10 people to death, mostly for drug-related crimes, in front of thousands of onlookers before taking them away for execution.
- DECEMBER 16, 2017IraqDEATH PENALTY
KURDISH PARLIAMENT ISSUES AMNESTY: CONVICTS ON DEATH ROW GET 15 YEARS IN PRISON
The Kurdistan parliament has decided in a majority vote to issue an amnesty to those on death row, reducing their sentence to a mere 15 years in prison, excluding those convicted of serious criminal charges.
- DECEMBER 13, 2017CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A jury sentenced Isauro Aguirre to death.
USA - California. A jury sentenced Isauro Aguirre to death.
- DECEMBER 12, 2017IndiaDEATH PENALTY
TAMIL NADU (INDIA): 6 SENTENCED TO DEATH IN SUSPECTED HONOUR KILLING OF DALIT MAN
Six persons were sentenced to death by a court in connection with the suspected honour killing of a 22-year old Dalit man in full public view in nearby Udumalpet in March last year.
DECEMBER 12, 2017BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: FOUR TO DIE FOR KILLING AUTO-RICKSHAW DRIVER
Four people have been sentenced to death and two others received life term for the 2009 murder of auto-rickshaw driver Md Rana.
DECEMBER 12, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: THREE PEOPLE RECEIVE DEATH SENTENCES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Hanoi People’s Court has sentenced three people to death for drug trafficking and transportation.
- DECEMBER 11, 2017FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Judge Mark Borello formally sentenced Randal Deviney to death
USA - Florida. Judge Mark Borello formally sentenced Randal Deviney to death
DECEMBER 9, 2017TanzaniaDEATH PENALTYTANZANIA: MAGUFULI GRANTS PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY TO 61 DEATH ROW INMATES
President John Magufuli pardoned some 61 death row inmates.
- DECEMBER 8, 2017FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Judge Russell Healey re-sentenced Raymond Bright to two death sentences
USA - Florida. Judge Russell Healey re-sentenced Raymond Bright to two death sentences