Executions
Archive theme
An execution is the act by which a state puts a condemned person to death. Hands Off Cain records the cases documented by public sources: press agencies, local newspapers, human rights organisations, official statements. The figure that results is a confirmed minimum, not an estimate of the real total: several states publish no data on executions, and in some countries they are not announced even to the families.
This page collects the news on the executions recorded by the association. The totals by country and by year are in the database.
Latest news
FEBRUARY 3, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hassan Mehraban executed in Qazvin on February 3
FEBRUARY 2, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iran HRM: 88 Executions in Iranian Prisons during January 2024
82% of the executions were carried out secretly
FEBRUARY 2, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw: 74 Executions in Iranian Prisons during January 2024
FEBRUARY 1, 2024Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: CITIZEN EXECUTED FOR TERRORISM
Saudi Arabia on January 30, 2024 carried out its first death penalty this year after executing a citizen convicted of terrorist acts in the country's Eastern Province.
FEBRUARY 1, 2024ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: COUPLE EXECUTED FOR DOUBLE CHILD MURDER THAT SHOCKED NATION
China on January 31, 2024 executed a couple for throwing two young children out of the window of an apartment building, in a case that caused nationwide outrage.
- JANUARY 31, 2024ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: FORMER PEKING UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO KILLED MOTHER EXECUTED
Wu Xieyu, a former Peking University student who killed his mother, was executed on January 31, 2024 after China's top court approved his death sentence.
JANUARY 31, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - A woman, Zahra Nazarian, executed in Sabzevar on January 31
230th woman executed in Iran since 2007
JANUARY 31, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hossein Habibi executed in Urmia on January 31
JANUARY 30, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mehdi Azaryoun executed in Urmia on Jannuary 30
JANUARY 30, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 2 men executed in Karaj on January 30
Esmail Chieh and a man only identified as Payam
JANUARY 29, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTYUSA - Alabama. Global condemnation for Smith's experimental execution
JANUARY 29, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali Rajabian executed in Karaj on January 29
JANUARY 29, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 4 men executed in Karaj on January 29
Mohammad Hussein Esmaieli, Ali Rajabian, Javad Ajamian, and Mohammad Hassan Jafari
JANUARY 28, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mohammad Reza Ghorbani executed in Karaj on January 28
JANUARY 28, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Aref and Asif Ishaqzahi executed in Birjand on January 28
JANUARY 28, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ruhollah Shakeri executed in Birjand on January 28
- JANUARY 26, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Kenneth Smith's execution does not appear to have been peaceful
JANUARY 26, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTYUSA - Alabama. Kenneth Smith’s execution by nitrogen hypoxia is ‘historic’ achievement
Said Steve Marshall, Attorney General
- JANUARY 25, 2024IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 3 Kurdish prisoners of conscience at imminent risk of execution
Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh and Khosrow Besharat
JANUARY 25, 2024GhanaDEATH PENALTYGHANA: SIX SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR 2021 COUP PLOT
A Ghana court on January 24, 2024 sentenced six people to death by hanging, including three soldiers, for their involvement in an alleged plot three years ago to overthrow the country's government.
JANUARY 25, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTYUSA - Alabama. Kenneth Smith executed on January 25
Using untested method of nitrogen gas
JANUARY 24, 2024IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: THIRTEEN MEN EXECUTED IN NASIRIYAH PRISON
Thirteen men were executed in Nasiriyah prison on December 25, 2023, the first mass execution since 21 men were executed on November 16, 2020.
JANUARY 24, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTYUSA - US Supreme Court declines to halt execution of Kenneth Smith
- JANUARY 24, 2024IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 3 men executed in Shiraz on January 24
Fazel Shafiei, Morteza Nadimi + Unk. 63 executions in January
- JANUARY 23, 2024United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Dissent rises against looming ‘experimental’ execution of Kenneth Smith
JANUARY 23, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Political prisoner Farhad Salimi executyed in Karaj on January 23
JANUARY 23, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ahmad Asgarat executed in Karaj on January 23
- JANUARY 23, 2024AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Kenneth Smith’s lawyers ask U.S. Supreme Court whether state can try twice to execute him
JANUARY 22, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Massoud Rigi executed in Zahedan on January 22
JANUARY 22, 2024IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hossein Ali Shakurian and Naser Mavedat executed in Sabzevar on January 22