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, 2011IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
- JANUARY 1, 2011MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2011GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason...
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011CubaDEATH PENALTY
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011LaosDEATH 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, 2011MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
Morocco retains the death penalty for ordinary crimes and military crimes.
Morocco retains the death penalty for ordinary crimes and military crimes..
- JANUARY 1, 2011MalawiDEATH 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, 2011GambiaDEATH 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, 2011MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2011Trinidad & 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, 2011SingaporeDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2011United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Offences punishable by death include:
Offences punishable by death include:
- JANUARY 1, 2011Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder...
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder, apostasy, rape, drug trafficking, highway robbery, sabotage and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in force in Botswana since the country became independent in 1966.
The death penalty has been in force in Botswana since the country became independent in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2011EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- DECEMBER 31, 2010IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: 17 INDIANS ON DEATH ROW IN UAE WIN REPRIEVE -REPORTS
seventeen Indians convicted of killing a Pakistani man had their death sentences overturned by Judge Abdullah Yousef al-Shamsi of the Sharjah Court of Appeals in United Arab Emirates after the victim's family agreed to pardon them in return for financial
- DECEMBER 30, 2010ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: UYGHUR STUDENT SENTENCED TO DEATH
A 19-year-old Uyghur becomes the second woman sentenced to die following ethnic
- DECEMBER 30, 2010ChinaDEATH PENALTY
MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASTING TAX OFFICE IN CENTRAL CHINA
a court in central China's Hunan Province sentenced Liu Zhuiheng, 51,per aver to death for setting off explosives outside a tax office in Furong District of Changsha City on July 30, killing four people. His motive was to vent anger over business losses.
DECEMBER 28, 2010IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO POLITICAL PRISONERS HANGED
According to the reports from Iran two political prisoners were hanged
- DECEMBER 26, 2010IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN PASSES DEATH SENTENCE ON 'ISRAELI SPY'
Iran sentenced an unidentified man to death for syping for Israel, the semiofficial Mehr
- DECEMBER 23, 2010AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
ALGERIA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR SUICIDE BOMBING
Walide Zeghina, 28, was sentenced to death in Algeria for a 2007 suicide bombing aimed at president Abdelaziz Bouteflika that left 26 people dead.
- DECEMBER 23, 2010IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: MAN GETS DEATH FOR MURDERS IN 7 MONTHS
Singrauli, India, Additional District Judge P C Gupta sentenced Santosh Singh to death for murdering Gulam Mohammad's wife and son on May 7, 2010...
- DECEMBER 22, 2010OregonDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oregon. A jury unanimously recommended that both Bruce and Joshua Turnidge be put to death
USA - Oregon. A jury unanimously recommended that both Bruce and Joshua Turnidge be put to death