Chronological archive
December 2016
The 90 news items published by Hands Off Cain in December 2016, in chronological order.
A court in the northern province of Thanh Hoa has sentenced a dog thief to death and jailed another for killing a dog owner.
A court in the northern province of Thanh Hoa has sentenced a dog thief to death and jailed another for killing a dog owner.
DECEMBER 31, 2016VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: DEATH PENALTY FOR SIX DRUG TRAFFICKERS
Six defendants involved in Viet Nam’s biggest drug trafficking case were sentenced to death by the People’s Court of the northern Quang Ninh Province.
- DECEMBER 30, 2016OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal upheld Ohio's secrecy law
USA - Ohio. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal upheld Ohio's secrecy law
- DECEMBER 30, 2016IraqDEATH PENALTY
the Justice Ministry disclosed that there are about 300 death-convicts are in Iraqi prisons, but the execution verdicts were not implemented till now.
the Justice Ministry disclosed that there are about 300 death-convicts are in Iraqi prisons, but the execution verdicts were not implemented till now.
DECEMBER 30, 2016IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 88 TERRORIST CONVICTS EXECUTED IN 2016
The Iraqi authorities executed 88 terrorists convicts in 2016, despite the international calls to stop this punishment in this country.
DECEMBER 30, 2016ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: ARSONIST SENTENCED TO DEATH
A man convicted of setting a bus on fire two years ago was sentenced to death by the Intermediate People's Court of Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
DECEMBER 30, 2016QatarDEATH PENALTYQATAR: DRUGS GANG LEADER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A Doha Criminal Court has convicted five expatriate men for engaging in illicit drugs smuggling and sentenced their leader to death by hanging.
- DECEMBER 29, 2016DEATH PENALTY
WASHINGTON (USA): GOVERNOR ISSUES REPRIEVE, CALLS FOR ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
Citing "serious concerns about the use of capital punishment in the state of Washington," Governor Jay Inslee granted a reprieve to Clark Richard Elmore, whom the state's Department of Corrections had scheduled for execution on January 19, 2017, and urged
- DECEMBER 29, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - Nebraska. Prisons chief gets new license for death penalty drugs, with 'no immediate plans' to use it.
USA - Nebraska. Prisons chief gets new license for death penalty drugs, with 'no immediate plans' to use it.
- DECEMBER 29, 2016BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Kiryl Kazachok was sentenced to death for murdering his two children.
Kiryl Kazachok was sentenced to death for murdering his two children.
- DECEMBER 29, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - Washington. Governor Issues Reprieve FOR Elmore, Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty.
USA - Washington. Governor Issues Reprieve FOR Elmore, Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty.
- DECEMBER 28, 2016CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Important agency rejects proposed new death penalty rules.
USA - California. Important agency rejects proposed new death penalty rules.
- DECEMBER 28, 2016DEATH PENALTY
CALIFORNIA REJECTS PROPOSED NEW DEATH PENALTY RULES
Efforts to revive the death penalty in California were dealt another blow late last month when a state agency
DECEMBER 28, 2016Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: GENEROSITY OF A SAUDI SAVES AN INDIAN FROM DEATH SENTENCE
Limbadri, an Indian worker, never had it in his wildest dreams that he would escape death sentence
DECEMBER 28, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PUBLIC FLOGGING SENTENCE CARRIED OUT
According to eyewitnesses, flogging punishment of a young man charged with theft, and whose identity is
DECEMBER 28, 2016JordanDEATH PENALTYJORDAN: FIVE MEMBERS OF ISIL CELL SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TERROR
A Jordanian court sentenced five members of an ISIL cell to death by hanging for acts of terrorism.
- DECEMBER 27, 2016MissouriDEATH PENALTY
USA - Missouri. Regretting Execution, Murder Victim's Family Urges Governor to Commute Missouri's Death Row
USA - Missouri. Regretting Execution, Murder Victim's Family Urges Governor to Commute Missouri's Death Row
DECEMBER 26, 2016JordanDEATH PENALTYJORDAN: FOUR JORDANIANS GIVEN DEATH PENALTY OVER DRUGS KILLING
A state security court sentenced four Jordanians to death for murdering a member of the security forces involved in the fight against drugs trafficking, a judicial source said.
DECEMBER 26, 2016PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: DEATH SENTENCE REVOKED ONE DAY AHEAD OF EXECUTION
Ghulam Abbas Suhani had to be hanged on December 27 but the execution was stopped today, just one
DECEMBER 25, 2016ThailandDEATH PENALTYTHAILAND: PHUKET PRISONERS RELEASED ON ROYAL PARDON
The first batch of prisoners was released from Phuket Prison in the morning, following the announcement of a Royal pardon earlier this month to commemorate the start of the reign of King Rama X.
DECEMBER 25, 2016Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SAUDI GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR INTERIOR MINISTRY BOMB PLOT
A specialized court in Saudi Arabia has handed a citizen an initial death sentence for plotting to bomb the
DECEMBER 25, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO AMPUTATION SENTENCES CARRIED OUT
Amputation verdicts of two prisoners were carried out in the prison of Urmia (Northwestern Iran).
DECEMBER 24, 2016PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: FIRST CONVICT HANGED AFTER THREE MONTHS
A 70-year-old death-row convict was hanged in Rawalpindi’ Adiala jail after a span of 20 years.
DECEMBER 23, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: EDO STATE EXECUTES THREE DEATH ROW INMATES
Edo State government executed three death row inmates who were sentenced to death by military tribunals
- DECEMBER 23, 2016ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
ZAMBIA: MPOMBO’S SON SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
The Ndola High Court has found former minister of Defence George Mpombo’s 17-year-old son guilty of shooting dead his pregnant girlfriend and beheading her.
- DECEMBER 22, 2016DEATH PENALTY
PENNSYLVANIA (USA): FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST TWO FORMER PENNSYLVANIA DEATH ROW PRISONERS WITH INNOCENCE CLAIMS
Two former Pennsylvania death row prisoners who have asserted their innocence for decades, Tyrone Moore and James Dennis, pled no contest to lesser charges.
- DECEMBER 22, 2016DEATH PENALTY
FLORIDA (USA): MORE THAN 200 PRISONERS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY SENTENCED TO DEATH MAY GET NEW SENTENCING HEARING
The Florida Supreme Court cemented death sentences for nearly 200 prisoners Thursday, ruling they are not eligible for lower sentences or re-hearings under a revamped death penalty law.
- DECEMBER 22, 2016IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR RAPING AND MURDERING MINOR
A Sessions Court in Andhra Pradesh State sentenced a 30-year-old man to death for rape and murder of a three-year-old girl.
DECEMBER 22, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER EXECUTED IN PUBLIC
A prisoner was hanged in public in the city of Ilam, Western Iran, on rape charges
- DECEMBER 22, 2016FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Supreme Court: More Than 200 Prisoners Unconstitutionally Sentenced to Death May Get New Sentencing Hearing
USA - Florida. Supreme Court: More Than 200 Prisoners Unconstitutionally Sentenced to Death May Get New Sentencing Hearing
- DECEMBER 22, 2016PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. Two former Pennsylvania death row prisoners, Tyrone Moore and James Dennis, pled no contest to lesser charges.
USA - Pennsylvania. Two former Pennsylvania death row prisoners, Tyrone Moore and James Dennis, pled no contest to lesser charges.
Show news 31–60 of 89
- DECEMBER 21, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Jury Urges Death Penalty for Steven Dean Gordon
USA - California. Jury Urges Death Penalty for Steven Dean Gordon
DECEMBER 21, 2016DEATH PENALTYUSA: HISTORIC DECLINES IN DEATH PENALTY USE CONTINUE
Death sentences, executions, and public support for the death penalty continued their historic declines in 2016, according to DPIC's annual report, "The Death Penalty in 2016: Year End Report," released on December 21.
- DECEMBER 21, 2016United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - DPIC Releases Year End Report: Historic Declines in Death Penalty Use Continue.
USA - DPIC Releases Year End Report: Historic Declines in Death Penalty Use Continue.
- DECEMBER 20, 2016DEATH PENALTY
CALIFORNIA (USA): SUPREME COURT HALTS DEATH PENALTY MEASURE
The California Supreme Court has halted implementation of a voter-approved measure intended to speed up the appeals process for Death Row inmates.
- DECEMBER 20, 2016CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. The Supreme Court has halted implementation of a measure to speed up the appeals process for Death Row inmates.
USA - California. The Supreme Court has halted implementation of a measure to speed up the appeals process for Death Row inmates.
- DECEMBER 20, 2016JordanDEATH PENALTY
JORDAN: SECURITY COURT HANDS DOWN DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLER OF SLAIN WRITER NAHED HATTAR
Jordan's Deputy Director General of the State Security Court sentenced the killer of writer Nahed Hattar to death by hanging, al-Ghad newspaper reported.
- DECEMBER 19, 2016United NationsDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: UNITED NATIONS CONFIRM THE REQUEST OF A UNIVERSAL MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
The General Assembly of the United Nations confirmed the demand for an end to the death penalty by the vote of a new resolution calling on states to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the practice. This is the sixth pro-morator
- DECEMBER 19, 2016IranDEATH PENALTY
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY REBUKES IRAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
Today the international community firmly denounced a wide range of human rights violations in Iran.
DECEMBER 19, 2016Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SAUDI NATIONAL EXECUTED FOR MURDERING COMPATRIOT
Saudi national Majid bin Abdulla bin Humood Al-Otaibi was executed in Riyadh for murdering a compatriot after a heated argument.
- DECEMBER 19, 2016United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE: DEATH ROW EMIRATI CONVICT WALKS FREE AFTER 14 YEARS
After languishing in jail for 14 years, waiting for a death penalty, an Emirati walked free recently as the court
- DECEMBER 19, 2016IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: YASIN BHATKAL, 4 OTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR 2013 HYDERABAD BLASTS
An NIA court sentenced to death banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen founder Yasin Bhatkal and four
- DECEMBER 19, 2016ArizonaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arizona. The state agreed to never again use midazolam
USA - Arizona. The state agreed to never again use midazolam
DECEMBER 17, 2016IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: ISIS EXECUTES TEENAGER IN KIRKUK ON CHARGES OF SPYING
The ISIS terrorist group has executed an Iraqi teenager in southern Kirkuk, after accusing him of spying for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, local sources reported.
- DECEMBER 16, 2016North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA ORDERS BAN ON PUBLIC TRIALS AND EXECUTIONS
Kim Jong Un has reportedly issued instructions to government bodies including the Ministry of People’s Security to ban further public executions.
- DECEMBER 16, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. The Court of Criminal Appeals reinstated the death sentences of Ronnie Kirksey, Corey Wimbley, and Ryan Russell
USA - Alabama. The Court of Criminal Appeals reinstated the death sentences of Ronnie Kirksey, Corey Wimbley, and Ryan Russell
DECEMBER 16, 2016PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: ARMY CHIEF CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCES OF 13 TERRORISTS
Chief of Army Staff confirmed death sentences awarded to another 13 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, slaughtering civilians and security forces.
- DECEMBER 16, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - Nevada. A jury sentenced Norman Belcher to death
USA - Nevada. A jury sentenced Norman Belcher to death
- DECEMBER 15, 2016DEATH PENALTY
DELAWARE (USA): SUPREME COURT RE-SENTENCES ENTIRE DEATH ROW TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE
The Delaware Supreme Court has ruled that everyone on death row in the state will be re-sentenced to life without parole. The case is Powell v. State.
- DECEMBER 15, 2016DEATH PENALTY
ILLINOIS (USA): JURY AWARDS FORMER GANG MEMBER $22 MILLION IN WRONGFUL CONVICTION LAWSUIT
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly awarded $22 million in damages to Nathson Fields, who was wrongfully convicted of a gang-related murder and sentenced to death in 1986.
DECEMBER 15, 2016MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DISTRIBUTING METH
A businessman was sentenced to death by the High Court in Johor Baru after he was found guilty of drug distribution.
DECEMBER 15, 2016EgyptDEATH PENALTYEGYPT: PROMINENT ISLAMIST MILITANT HABARA EXECUTED AMID THREATS OF RETALIATION
Egypt executed prominent Islamist fighter Adel Habara, state media said, days after a top court rejected his final appeal and in defiance of militant threats to ignite "a volcano of jihad" across the country.
- DECEMBER 15, 2016DelawareDEATH PENALTY
USA - Delaware. The Supreme Court has ruled that everyone on death row in the state will be re-sentenced to life without parole.
USA - Delaware. The Supreme Court has ruled that everyone on death row in the state will be re-sentenced to life without parole.
- DECEMBER 15, 2016IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
USA - Illinois. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly awarded $22 million in damages to Nathson Fields
USA - Illinois. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly awarded $22 million in damages to Nathson Fields
- DECEMBER 15, 2016IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FOUR PRISONERS EXECUTED IN KARAJ CENTRAL PRISON
Iranian regime executed four prisoners in Karaj Central Prison, west of Tehran, on drug related charges, reports indicate.
DECEMBER 15, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER EXECUTED ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
A prisoner sentenced to death on drug related charges was reportedly executed at Bandar Abbas Central Prison (Hormozgan province, southern Iran), according to close sources.
DECEMBER 14, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED FOR DRUG CHARGES
The website of the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported about the execution of one
- DECEMBER 13, 2016United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Michael Dukakis endorses campaign to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg, executed in 1953.
USA - Michael Dukakis endorses campaign to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg, executed in 1953.
DECEMBER 13, 2016DEATH PENALTYUSA: EX-GOVERNOR MICHAEL DUKAKIS ENDORSES CAMPAIGN TO EXONERATE ETHEL ROSENBERG, EXECUTED IN 1953
More than 60 years after the execution of alleged spy Ethel Rosenberg, a former governor of Massachusetts has endorsed a campaign to exonerate her.
- DECEMBER 12, 2016DEATH PENALTY
OHIO (USA): BROOM LOSES APPEAL TO BLOCK 2ND ATTEMPT AT EXECUTION
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Romell Broom whose 2009 execution was called off after 2 hours during which he cried in pain while receiving 18 needle sticks.
- DECEMBER 12, 2016IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: TRIO GETS DEATH FOR 2012 TRIPLE MURDER
Three persons including a most-wanted accused in at least 24 cases - including 16 murders - were
Show news 61–89 of 89
DECEMBER 12, 2016ThailandDEATH PENALTYTHAILAND: NEW KING PARDONS MINOR OFFENDERS, CUTS JAIL TERMS
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a decree granting pardons to certain prisoners in commemoration of his accession to the throne.
- DECEMBER 12, 2016OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. Broom loses appeal to block 2nd attempt at execution.
USA - Ohio. Broom loses appeal to block 2nd attempt at execution.
- DECEMBER 11, 2016DEATH PENALTY
VIRGINIA (USA): EXECUTION COSTS SPIKE; STATE PAYS PHARMACY $66K
Virginia prison officials have paid a secret compounding pharmacy $66,000 to obtain lethal injection drugs
- DECEMBER 11, 2016ChadDEATH PENALTY
CHAD: PARLIAMENT ABROGATES THE DEATH PENALTY
The parliament of Chad adopted a reform of its penal code which raises the legal marriage age from 16 to 18 and abrogates the death penalty.
- DECEMBER 11, 2016VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Virginia. Execution Costs Spike in Virginia; State Pays Pharmacy $66K.
USA - Virginia. Execution Costs Spike in Virginia; State Pays Pharmacy $66K.
- DECEMBER 11, 2016Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
SAUDI ARABIA: HOUSEMAID GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING GIRL
A court in Jeddah sentenced a housemaid to death for murdering the daughter of her employer and wounding another before trying to kill herself.
- DECEMBER 11, 2016IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TEN PRISONERS HANGED ON THE SAME DAY
Ten prisoners were reportedly hanged at Rajai Shahr Prison (Alborz province, northern Iran) on murder charges.
- DECEMBER 10, 2016EgyptDEATH PENALTY
EGYPT: COURT OF CASSATION DISMISSES APPEAL BY MILITANT ADEL HABARA AGAINST DEATH SENTENCE
Egypt's Court of Cassation rejected appeal submitted by militant Adel Habara against his death sentence over involvement in killing 25 soldiers in Rafah in 2013.
- DECEMBER 9, 2016DEATH PENALTY
DELAWARE (USA): PRISON OFFICIALS QUIETLY DISBAND DEATH ROW
As Delaware's Supreme Court weighs whether 12 men sentenced to death should be spared from
- DECEMBER 9, 2016IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
INDONESIA: 3 TAIWANESE SENTENCED TO DEATH ON DRUGS CHARGES
A high court in Indonesia sentenced three Taiwanese citizens to death on drugs charges, reports said.
- DECEMBER 9, 2016DelawareDEATH PENALTY
USA - Delaware. Delaware quietly disbands death row.
USA - Delaware. Delaware quietly disbands death row.
- DECEMBER 9, 2016PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. A jury sentenced Tam Minh Le to 2 consecutive death sentences
USA - Pennsylvania. A jury sentenced Tam Minh Le to 2 consecutive death sentences
- DECEMBER 8, 2016DEATH PENALTY
ALABAMA (USA): RONALD BERT SMITH EXECUTED
Ronald Bert Smith, 45, White, was executed.
- DECEMBER 8, 2016AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Ronald Bert Smith was executed. The execution lasted 34 minutes
USA - Alabama. Ronald Bert Smith was executed. The execution lasted 34 minutes
- DECEMBER 7, 2016ThailandDEATH PENALTY
the Constitution Drafting Committee published the first draft of the Organic Act on Elections, a reform of regulations on political parties that comes under the new junta-backed constitution.
the Constitution Drafting Committee published the first draft of the Organic Act on Elections, a reform of regulations on political parties that comes under the new junta-backed constitution.
- DECEMBER 7, 2016IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS EXECUTED
A prisoner was reportedly hanged at Dizel Abad Prison (Kermanshah province, western Iran) on
DECEMBER 7, 2016BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEATH FOR 3 HUJI MILITANTS OVER 2004 GRENADE ATTACK ON UK ENVOY
Bangladesh's highest court upheld the death sentence handed down to a top militant and two of his followers
- DECEMBER 6, 2016DEATH PENALTY
GEORGIA (USA): WILLIAM SALLIE EXECUTED
William Sallie, 50, White, has been executed by lethal injection at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison.
- DECEMBER 6, 2016DEATH PENALTY
USA - Georgia. William Sallie, 50, White, has been executed
USA - Georgia. William Sallie, 50, White, has been executed
DECEMBER 6, 2016Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: 15 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SPYING FOR IRAN
A court in the Saudi capital Riyadh sentenced 15 defendants found guilty of spying for Iran to death.
DECEMBER 5, 2016BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: GAZI IDRIS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR WAR CRIMES
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) handed death sentence to Idris Ali Sardar alias Gazi Idris of Shariatpur
- DECEMBER 5, 2016PakistanDEATH PENALTY
PAKISTAN: ARMY CHIEF CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCE OF FOUR HARDCORE TERRORISTS
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa confirmed death sentences awarded to another four hardcore terrorists.
- DECEMBER 4, 2016BahrainDEATH PENALTY
BAHRAIN: APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS THREE BOMB BLAST DEATH SENTENCES
A Bahraini Appeal Court upheld three death sentences and seven life terms against a group convicted of
DECEMBER 3, 2016IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SUPREME COURT CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCE FOR TYCOON
Iran's official IRNA news agency is reporting that the country's Supreme Court has confirmed the death
DECEMBER 2, 2016ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: WRONGLY EXECUTED MAN ACQUITTED BY TOP COURT
Nie Shubin, who was executed 21 years ago for rape and murder, had his conviction overturned by China's top court.
DECEMBER 2, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: GOVERNOR UGWUANYI FREES 2 PRISONERS, COMMUTES FIVE DEATH SENTENCES
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State granted unconditional pardon to two inmates of the Enugu Prison.
- DECEMBER 1, 2016FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Supreme Court Overturned the Death Sentence of Paul Beasley Johnson
USA - Florida. Supreme Court Overturned the Death Sentence of Paul Beasley Johnson
- DECEMBER 1, 2016FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Supreme Court orders disability hearing for Roger Lee Cherry
USA - Florida. Supreme Court orders disability hearing for Roger Lee Cherry
DECEMBER 1, 2016IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: MAHATMA GANDHI’S GRANDSON CALLS FOR ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, said capital punishment should be removed from the country’s statutes.