The death penalty for drug offences
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International law restricts the death penalty, where it still exists, to the most serious crimes, and United Nations bodies have made clear more than once that drug offences do not belong to that category. Despite this, some states go on sentencing people to death and executing them for trafficking or possession of narcotics: in certain years these executions are a substantial share of the world total.
This page collects the news on death sentences and executions for drug offences.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2018BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2018OmanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
- JANUARY 1, 2018ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Under the Penal Code alone, the death sentence can be applied to 35 crimes
Under the Penal Code alone, the death sentence can be applied to 35 crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2018IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2018MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2018SingaporeDEATH 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.
DECEMBER 20, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: TWO NIGERIAN STUDENTS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUGS TRAFFICKING
Two Nigerian college students were handed the death sentence by the Shah Alam High Court after they were found guilty of trafficking 3.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine three years ago.
DECEMBER 12, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: THREE PEOPLE RECEIVE DEATH SENTENCES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Hanoi People’s Court has sentenced three people to death for drug trafficking and transportation.
DECEMBER 8, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: YOUNG MAN TO HANG FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A 22-year-old man was sentenced to death for trafficking in 749.4 gm of syabu (methamphetamine).
NOVEMBER 19, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR POSSESSING 147 GRAMMES OF HEROIN
The Colombo High Court sentenced to death L. Chaminda Jagath, a father of two from Boralesgamuwa for possessing 147 grammes of heroin.
NOVEMBER 7, 2017IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS EXECUTED FOR DRUG OFFENCES
According to a close source, on the morning four prisoners were executed at Urmia Central Prison (Darya).
- NOVEMBER 2, 2017LaosDEATH PENALTY
Dead penalty sentence for a drug trafficker in Laos
2 November 2017: the Supreme Court of the Vientiane Provincial Court decided a death penalty sentence for the case of Meng Vang, a 29-year-old resident in Vang Vieng district, where police officials detained in 2016 with 165,000 amphetamine tablets and 58
NOVEMBER 1, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: PERAK SULTAN PARDONS TWO DRUG OFFENDERS ON DEATH ROW
Two death row inmates who had an appointment with the gallows have been pardoned by Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and will face a life sentence instead.
OCTOBER 26, 2017GuatemalaDEATH PENALTYGUATEMALA: HIGH COURT ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY IN CIVIL CASES
Guatemala's highest court has abolished the death penalty for civil cases in a landmark ruling announced on October 26.
- OCTOBER 25, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM TO SCRAP DEATH PENALTY FOR 5 FELONIES UNDER AMENDED PENAL CODE
The amended 2015 Penal Code of Vietnam, which will take effect at the start of 2018, will no longer impose the death penalty on those found guilty of five felonies.
OCTOBER 21, 2017KuwaitDEATH PENALTYKUWAIT: COURT SENTENCES 2 ASIANS TO DEATH IN TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS
The Criminal Court has sentenced to death by hanging two Asians who were found guilty of trafficking in drugs, reports Al-Anba daily.
OCTOBER 19, 2017IndonesiaDEATH PENALTYINDONESIA: DRUG COURIER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN JAMBI
The Kuala Tungkal District Court in the Jambi regency of West Tanjungjbung sentenced to death a 30-year-old man found guilty of drug offenses.
OCTOBER 1, 2017Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: PAKISTANI ‘DRUG TRAFFICKER’ AMONG SIX BEHEADED
The Saudi Arabia government executed six people, including a Pakistani citizen, convicted of drug trafficking and homicide, the highest number of executions in a single day this year.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: HEROIN TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A court passed a death sentence on a 30-year-old man from Vietnam's Hanoi capital for trafficking over 230.5 kg of heroin and illegally possessing military weapons.
JULY 17, 2017IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS EXECUTED ON DRUG, ARMED ROBBERY CHARGES
According to close sources, on the morning four prisoners were hanged at Isfahan Central Prison.
- JULY 14, 2017SingaporeDEATH PENALTY
SINGAPORE HANGS MALAYSIAN DRUG TRAFFICKER
Singapore executed a Malaysian drug trafficker despite a plea for clemency from the United Nations and concerns expressed by rights groups over alleged flaws in his trial.
JULY 10, 2017IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER EXECUTED ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
A prisoner was reportedly executed on the morning at Mahabad Prison on drug related charges.
JULY 10, 2017Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SIX EXECUTED, INCLUDING A PAKISTANI
Six people convicted of drug trafficking and homicide were executed in Saudi Arabia, the government said, the highest number of executions in a single day this year.
JUNE 22, 2017ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: 12 NANJING DRUG DEALERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
Eighteen men were on trial in Nanjing for various offences, ranging from trafficking and possession to drug abuse and re-offending.
- JUNE 16, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM: EIGHT VIETNAMESE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HEROIN TRAFFICKING
Eight Vietnamese, including two women, received death sentence after a court in the northern province of Hoa Binh found them guilty of trafficking 541 packs of heroin, the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported, citing the court verdict.
- MAY 30, 2017VietnamDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HEROIN SMUGGLING
A Vietnamese drug lord who continued to run his smuggling network from prison was sentenced to die alongside four of his lieutenants, an official said.
MAY 28, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: KENYAN WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A Kenyan woman was sentenced to death by a Malaysian court after she was found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine four years ago.
- MAY 26, 2017IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Khorramabad's Parsilon Prison on the charge of possession and trafficking 850 grams of heroin.
A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Khorramabad's Parsilon Prison on the charge of possession and trafficking 850 grams of heroin.
MAY 19, 2017SingaporeDEATH PENALTYSINGAPORE: DRUG TRAFFICKER HANGED AFTER EXHAUSTING AVENUES OF APPEAL
Singaporean drug trafficker Muhammad Ridzuan Md Ali, 31, was executed at Changi Prison, having exhausted all avenues of appeal.
- MAY 4, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
MALAYSIA: SINGAPOREAN GETS DEATH FOR DISTRIBUTING DRUGS IN JOHOR
A 46-year-old Singaporean contractor was sentenced to death by the High Court in Johor Baru after he was found guilty of two counts of drug distribution.