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, 2005LaosDEATH 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, 2005IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder, offences concerning illegal weapons, drug crimes, corruption and terrorism.
The death penalty is applicable for murder, offences concerning illegal weapons, drug crimes, corruption and terrorism.
- JANUARY 1, 2005Trinidad & 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, 2005Sierra 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, 2005MaliDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations, betrayals, sedition, spying, arsons and destruction with explosives of public buildings, plots against the state and embezzlement of public funds whose amount is equal to or more
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations, betrayals, sedition, spying, arsons and destruction with explosives of public buildings, plots against the state and embezzlement of public funds whose amount is equal to or more
- JANUARY 1, 2005MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2005GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2005GambiaDEATH 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, 2005Guinea-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, 2005Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
- DECEMBER 31, 2004PakistanDEATH PENALTY
an Additional District and Sessions court in Jhang, Pakistan, sentenced to death Abdul Karim
an Additional District and Sessions court in Jhang, Pakistan, sentenced to death Abdul Karim
- DECEMBER 31, 2004Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabian authorities beheaded and crucified a Saudi national
Saudi Arabian authorities beheaded and crucified a Saudi national
- DECEMBER 30, 2004IndiaDEATH PENALTY
the Mirpur District Criminal Court, Pakistan, gave an Indian national ten death sentences
the Mirpur District Criminal Court, Pakistan, gave an Indian national ten death sentences
- DECEMBER 30, 2004SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Ahmad Shlash Hassan and Ezzo Hussein al-Hussein, both Syrian nationals, were sentenced to death
Ahmad Shlash Hassan and Ezzo Hussein al-Hussein, both Syrian nationals, were sentenced to death
- DECEMBER 29, 2004SudanDEATH PENALTY
88 from the Rezeiqat ethnic group, including the two children...
88 from the Rezeiqat ethnic group, including the two children...
- DECEMBER 28, 2004NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
an Islamic Sharia court in northern Nigeria sentenced Danliti Rabiu to be stoned
an Islamic Sharia court in northern Nigeria sentenced Danliti Rabiu to be stoned
- DECEMBER 26, 2004ChinaDEATH PENALTY
a court in China's Autonomous Region of Tibet sentenced to death a Nepalese
a court in China's Autonomous Region of Tibet sentenced to death a Nepalese
- DECEMBER 25, 2004PakistanDEATH PENALTY
a Special Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan sentence to death Ajrar Hassan
a Special Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan sentence to death Ajrar Hassan
- DECEMBER 24, 2004Hong Kong SAR ChinaDEATH PENALTY
China sentenced two Hong Kong men to death
China sentenced two Hong Kong men to death
- DECEMBER 24, 2004ChinaDEATH PENALTY
the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Xu Guangying, 44, to death for murder.
the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Xu Guangying, 44, to death for murder.
- DECEMBER 24, 2004PakistanDEATH PENALTY
PAKISTAN. MUSHARRAF ATTACKER TO BE EXECUTED
a Pakistani soldier has been sentenced to death and another given a 10-year jail sentence for an attempt to kill President Pervez Musharraf last year.
- DECEMBER 24, 2004PakistanDEATH PENALTY
a District and Sessions court in Pakistan, sentenced to death convict Ali Hayat
a District and Sessions court in Pakistan, sentenced to death convict Ali Hayat
- DECEMBER 23, 2004ChinaDEATH PENALTY
Chen Jicheng, former chairman of the board of directors of a fireworks factory, was sentenced to death
Chen Jicheng, former chairman of the board of directors of a fireworks factory, was sentenced to death
- DECEMBER 23, 2004ChinaDEATH PENALTY
Guo Zhenbin, a headmaster in southeast China's Fujian province, was sentenced to death
Guo Zhenbin, a headmaster in southeast China's Fujian province, was sentenced to death
- DECEMBER 23, 2004VietnamDEATH PENALTY
six Vietnamese were sentenced to death by firing squad
six Vietnamese were sentenced to death by firing squad
- DECEMBER 23, 2004VietnamDEATH PENALTY
Nguyen Van Bun was sentenced to death in southern Vietnam
Nguyen Van Bun was sentenced to death in southern Vietnam
- DECEMBER 23, 2004VietnamDEATH PENALTY
six Vietnamese men were sentenced to death
six Vietnamese men were sentenced to death
- DECEMBER 22, 2004ArizonaDEATH PENALTY
Wendi Andriano, convicted of killing her terminally ill husband, was sentenced to death
Wendi Andriano, convicted of killing her terminally ill husband, was sentenced to death
- DECEMBER 20, 2004Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
ten men charged with plotting to overthrow Sierra Leone's government in 2003 were convicted of treason
ten men charged with plotting to overthrow Sierra Leone's government in 2003 were convicted of treason
- DECEMBER 19, 2004ChinaDEATH PENALTY
two staff at a Chinese drug rehabilitation centre were sentenced to death
two staff at a Chinese drug rehabilitation centre were sentenced to death