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 16, 2007NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIAN COURT SENTENCES SIX TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
a northern Nigerian court has sentenced six people to death after they were found guilty of armed robbery, the official News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
- JANUARY 15, 2007IranDEATH PENALTY
IRANIAN COURT DROPS DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST TEEN
an Iranian court dropped a death sentence against a teenager convicted of stabbing to death one of three men who
- JANUARY 14, 2007MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
death sentences were passed on the eight...
death sentences were passed on the eight persons convicted of Evan Naseem's murder in a Maldives jail have been commuted to life sentences (25 years).
- JANUARY 14, 2007KuwaitDEATH PENALTY
a tribunal in Kuwait sentenced Talal Al-Sabh...
a tribunal in Kuwait sentenced Talal Al-Sabh...
- JANUARY 11, 2007ChinaDEATH PENALTY
MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING TWO PUPILS IN NORTHWEST CHINA
a local court sentenced a man to death for killing two students in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in revenge for the death of his daughter.
- JANUARY 11, 2007NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
PREACHER TO HANG IN NIGERIA FOR BURNING FOLLOWERS
a Nigerian court sentenced a Nigerian evangelical preacher to death by hanging after finding him guilty of dousing seven members of his congregation with petrol and setting them ablaze, killing one.
- JANUARY 9, 2007ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA. MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING TAXI PASSENGERS
a court in south China sentenced a motorcycle-taxi driver to death for killing his wife and a neighbour and robbing, sexually assaulting and murdering eight woman passengers, state media said.
- JANUARY 8, 2007EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
the Federal High Court of Ethiopia sentenced Major Desta Awulachew to death.
the Federal High Court of Ethiopia sentenced Major Desta Awulachew to death.
- JANUARY 3, 2007IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN HANGS MAN CONVICTED OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
Iran hanged a man convicted of drug trafficking in a prison in the central city of Isfahan, the state news agency IRNA reported.
- JANUARY 1, 2007Congo - 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, 2007BotswanaDEATH 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, 2007Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTY
In Palestinian areas three types of legislation are applied.
In Palestinian areas three types of legislation are applied.
- JANUARY 1, 2007GambiaDEATH 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, 2007AlgeriaDEATH 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.
- JANUARY 1, 2007Trinidad & 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, 2007LaosDEATH 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, 2007CubaDEATH 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, 2007United 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, 2007SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2007Sierra 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, 2007MoroccoDEATH 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, 2007MaliDEATH 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, 2007GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2007Guinea-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, 2007MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2007EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2007GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2007Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2007IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2007UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of law No. 482-II on April 25...
With the introduction of law No. 482-II on April 25...