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 10, 2019DEATH PENALTY
NETFLIX’S THE INNOCENT MAN: THE AMERICAN INJUSTICE SYSTEM
Netflix’s 6-episode documentary, The Innocent Man, is based on bestselling novelist John Grisham’s only non-fiction effort, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, published in 2006.
- JANUARY 10, 2019BelarusDEATH PENALTY
BELARUS COURT PASSES DEATH SENTENCE ON MURDERER OF TWO GIRLS
Alyaksandr Asipovich, 36-year-old, was sentenced to death on 9 January 2019 for the murder of two girls.
JANUARY 9, 2019ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: TWO HUMAN TRAFFICKERS ARE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SNATCHING NINE BOYS FROM THEIR NEIGHBOURS BEFORE SELLING THEM ON
Two human traffickers on 27 December 2018 were sentenced to death in China for snatching nine boys from their neighbours before selling them on, according to Chinese media.
JANUARY 7, 2019ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: BANK COMPUTER HACKERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
China has sentenced two computer hackers to death to deter the growth of computer crime, Cyware reported on 31 December 2018.
- JANUARY 5, 2019OklahomaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Netflix’s The Innocent Man: The American injustice system.
USA - Netflix’s The Innocent Man: The American injustice system.
- JANUARY 3, 2019IndianaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Indiana. Debra Denise Brown will no longer be executed.
USA - Indiana. Debra Denise Brown will no longer be executed.
JANUARY 3, 2019DEATH PENALTYCHINA: GANGSTER SENTENCED TO DEATH
On the afternoon of 28 December 2018 the Intermediate Peoples Court of Huaian City made a first instance judgment on a case of anti-gangster and anti-evil which was listed and supervised by Jiangsu Province.
- JANUARY 2, 2019DEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM SENTENCED MORE PEOPLE TO DEATH IN 2018 COMPARES TO 2017 AND EXECUTED PEOPLE, ON AVERAGE, EVERY WEEK
The government on 13 November 2018 reported to the National Assembly the status of death sentence implementation in the year 2018 and stated that there was a “dramatic increase from 2017, with 122 more (cases)”.
- JANUARY 1, 2019Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
On 13 February 2014, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, signed the Decree 426/2.014 which establishes a moratorium on the death penalty with immediate effect.
On 13 February 2014, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, signed the Decree 426/2.014 which establishes a moratorium on the death penalty with immediate effect.
- JANUARY 1, 2019LaosDEATH 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, 2019MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2019YemenDEATH 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, 2019SingaporeDEATH 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, 2019Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTY
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
- JANUARY 1, 2019South SudanDEATH PENALTY
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011
- JANUARY 1, 2019MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2019TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
- JANUARY 1, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
- JANUARY 1, 2019BahamasDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
- JANUARY 1, 2019SudanDEATH 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, 2019UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2019Sierra 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, 2019CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2019KuwaitDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by laws based on the Sharia.
The death penalty is provided for by laws based on the Sharia.
- JANUARY 1, 2019GambiaDEATH PENALTY
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- JANUARY 1, 2019CubaDEATH 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, 2019PakistanDEATH PENALTY
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
- JANUARY 1, 2019TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses