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 14, 2010IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: DEATH SENTENCE FOR 11 BAGHDAD BOMBERS
An Iraqi court sentenced to death 11 men, including Al-Qaeda militants, over devastating truck bombs in
- JANUARY 13, 2010CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A Shasta County jury recommended the death penalty for Scott Paul Varner
USA - California. A Shasta County jury recommended the death penalty for Scott Paul Varner
- JANUARY 12, 2010ArizonaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arizona. A Maricopa County jury imposed the death penalty again Efren Medina
USA - Arizona. A Maricopa County jury imposed the death penalty again Efren Medina
- JANUARY 11, 2010CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Two Riverside County juries sentenced Glen Joseph Jones and Jeffree Jay Buettner to death
USA - California. Two Riverside County juries sentenced Glen Joseph Jones and Jeffree Jay Buettner to death
- JANUARY 8, 2010CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Judge Richard Erwood sentenced Christopher Guy Jasso to death
USA - California. Judge Richard Erwood sentenced Christopher Guy Jasso to death
- JANUARY 8, 2010IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: TEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR WOMAN'S MURDER
in Barasat, India, a fast track court sentenced 10 people to death for the murder of a jeweller's wife at Kanchrapara.
JANUARY 8, 2010IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: WARNING AGAINST EXECUTION OF FIVE DETAINEES OF RECENT UPRISING
Abbas Jaafari Dowlat Abadi, Tehran’s Prosecutor, announced today that the cases of five individuals
- JANUARY 7, 2010LouisianaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Louisiana. Gerald Bordelon was executed
USA - Louisiana. Gerald Bordelon was executed
- JANUARY 6, 2010CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Judge Kenneth Twisselman sentenced Timothy Titus Rodriguez to death
USA - California. Judge Kenneth Twisselman sentenced Timothy Titus Rodriguez to death
- JANUARY 4, 2010PakistanDEATH PENALTY
KUWAIT: PAKISTANI CARRIER TO DIE FOR DRUGS
the Criminal Court in Kuwait sentenced an unidentified Pakistani man to capital punishment for smuggling heroin into the country.
- JANUARY 3, 2010ChinaDEATH PENALTY
THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH IN SOUTHEAST CHINA GANG TRIAL
three people were sentenced to death for gang-related crimes by the Zhangzhou Municipal Intermediate People's Court in southeast China's Fujian Province.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GambiaDEATH 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, 2010MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2010MalawiDEATH 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, 2010Sierra 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, 2010IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2010SingaporeDEATH 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, 2010IranDEATH PENALTY
Offences punishable by death include:
Offences punishable by death include:
- JANUARY 1, 2010United 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, 2010Trinidad & 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, 2010SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2010Saudi 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, 2010BotswanaDEATH 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, 2010EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2010AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The 2004 Afghan Constitution, in article 23 asserts the right to life...
The 2004 Afghan Constitution, in article 23 asserts the right to life...
- JANUARY 1, 2010Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- JANUARY 1, 2010Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2010MaliDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
- JANUARY 1, 2010Guinea-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, 2010AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.