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 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCES OF FIVE AHWAZI ARABS UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT
Sources in Iran have reported that the death Sentences for five Ahwazi Arab political prisoners were upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
JANUARY 10, 2013IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR RAPIST, MURDERER OF TEENAGED GIRL
A court in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar town, India, sentenced to death a man for raping
- JANUARY 9, 2013AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF HUSBAND
The Preliminary Court of Kabul's Zone 4 sentenced to death a woman for colluding
JANUARY 9, 2013MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: INDONESIAN WOMAN TO HANG FOR TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS
An Indonesian woman was sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court in Malaysia for
- JANUARY 8, 2013ChinaDEATH PENALTY
a court in South China approved a suspended death sentence
a court in South China approved a suspended death sentence
- JANUARY 7, 2013IndiaDEATH PENALTY
two persons were sentenced to death and two others given life term
two persons were sentenced to death and two others given life term
JANUARY 7, 2013ThailandDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: TWO FISHERMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TRAFFICKING IN CANNABIS
Two fishermen, one of them a Thai national, were sentenced to death by the High Court
- JANUARY 6, 2013United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. DEATH SENTENCE FOR ROAD RAGE KILLER
Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, sentenced the 25-year-old Emirati to death after finding him guilty of murdering 52-year-old Munir Ahmed, in a road rage incident.
- JANUARY 6, 2013United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
a man sentenced to death last July for luring a woman
a man sentenced to death last July for luring a woman
- JANUARY 6, 2013ChinaDEATH PENALTY
the president of a painting academy was sentenced to death
the president of a painting academy was sentenced to death
- JANUARY 1, 2013YemenDEATH 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, 2013United StatesDEATH PENALTY
To date, the death penalty no longer exists in 18 of the 50 U.S. States
To date, the death penalty no longer exists in 18 of the 50 U.S. States
- JANUARY 1, 2013Trinidad & 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, 2013SudanDEATH PENALTY
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
- JANUARY 1, 2013LaosDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
- JANUARY 1, 2013MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MalawiDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2013KenyaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying, treason, armed robbery and military offences are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying, treason, armed robbery and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013CubaDEATH 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, 2013MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
Premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the President...
Premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the President...
- JANUARY 1, 2013GuatemalaDEATH PENALTY
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide...
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide, aggravated homicide and assassination of the President or Vice-President.
- JANUARY 1, 2013NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- JANUARY 1, 2013EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2013VietnamDEATH PENALTY
Vietnam reduced the number of death penalty crimes from 44 to 29 in 1999.
Vietnam reduced the number of death penalty crimes from 44 to 29 in 1999.
- JANUARY 1, 2013GambiaDEATH PENALTY
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Sierra 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, 2013BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
JANUARY 1, 2013SingaporeDEATH PENALTYSINGAPORE: 32 ON DEATH ROW CAN SEEK REVIEW OF SENTENCES
They were facing certain death by hanging, but may now get a lifeline as changes to the