Chronological archive
May 2018
The 87 news items published by Hands Off Cain in May 2018, in chronological order.

BURKINA FASO ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY IN NEW PENAL CODE
Burkina Faso's parliament has abolished the death penalty by adopting a new penal code that strikes it as a possible sentence.
MAY 31, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 3 SUSPECTS SENTENCED TO DEATH BY GALLE HIGH COURT
The Galle High Court handed down the death sentences to three suspects found guilty of murder.
MAY 31, 2018YemenDEATH PENALTYYEMEN: COURT IN SANAA SENTENCES TO DEATH 7 SUPERVISORS OF ANSARALLAH MOVEMENT
Specialized criminal court in the capital Sanaa has sentenced to death seven supervisors of Ansarallah movement over criminal cases.
MAY 31, 2018TanzaniaDEATH PENALTYTANZANIA: FOUR NGARA RESIDENTS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF YOUTH 16
Four people, two of them women, from Ngara District have been sentenced to death after they were convicted of murder.
- MAY 30, 2018DEATH PENALTY
ALABAMA (USA): FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO DISCLOSE EXECUTION RECORDS
Federal Judge Karon Owen Bowdre has ordered the Alabama Department of Corrections to release its lethal-injection protocol and unseal transcripts and pleadings related to the failed execution of Doyle Hamm.
- MAY 30, 2018AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Federal Judge Karon Owen Bowdre Orders Alabama to Disclose Execution Records.
USA - Alabama. Federal Judge Karon Owen Bowdre Orders Alabama to Disclose Execution Records.
- MAY 30, 2018OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. A jury sentenced Lance Hundley to death
USA - Ohio. A jury sentenced Lance Hundley to death
MAY 30, 2018SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCE 2 AL-SHABAAB OPERATIVES TO DEATH OVER NASA HABLOD HOTEL ATTACK IN MOGADISHU
Somali military court handed a death sentence to two Al-Shabaab operatives for their role in the deadly attack on Nasa Hablod hotel in the capital, Mogadishu.
MAY 30, 2018IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: PRESIDENT KOVIND REJECTS FIRST MERCY PLEA PLACED BEFORE HIM
President Ram Nath Kovind rejected the first ever mercy plea placed before him
- MAY 29, 2018IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN DRUG EXECUTIONS FALL BY 99% FOLLOWING LEGAL AMENDMENT
The implementation of the death penalty for drug offences has all but ended in Iran, although human rights advocates continue to express concern at the judicial system’s response to drugs.
- MAY 29, 2018TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia rejects the extradition of the alleged murderer of Mohamed Zouari
29 May 2018: the Supreme Court of Croatia prohibits extradition to Tunisia of a Bosnian suspected of killing Tunisian engineer Mohamed Zouari in 2016.
MAY 29, 2018BelarusDEATH PENALTYBELARUS: SUPREME COURT CONFIRMS DEATH SENTENCES FOR ZHYLNIKAU AND SUKHARKO
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentences earlier handed down to Aliaksandr Zhylnikau and Viachaslau Sukharko for the murder of three people.
- MAY 28, 2018Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Beni: An army sergeant sentenced to death for the murder of five people
28 May 2018: the first Sergeant Damascene Ntagonayigiza Mbyayingabo was sentenced to the death penalty for the murder of five persons.
MAY 28, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: 3 TO WALK GALLOWS FOR KILLING WOMAN AFTER RAPE
A tribunal in Narayanganj awarded capital punishment to three people for killing a garment worker after rape.
MAY 28, 2018SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: TWO KENYAN AL-SHABAAB FIGHTERS EXECUTED FOR SPYING FOR KDF
Al Shabaab terror group executed two Kenyans it accused of spying for Somali and Kenyan intelligence services.
- MAY 26, 2018EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
ETHIOPIA PARDONS SENIOR OPPOSITION LEADER SENTENCED TO DEATH
Ethiopia pardoned an opposition leader with British citizenship who had been sentenced to death, the latest in a series of pardons and releases of jailed dissidents announced in the wake of years of violent unrest.
- MAY 25, 2018BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
BOTSWANA RESUMES EXECUTION, HANGS DEATH ROW INMATE
Botswana continued executions this year, with the hanging of another death row inmate in 2018.
- MAY 25, 2018Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Tshikapa: a soldier sentenced to death for the murder of two colleagues
25 May 2018: the military Court of Tshikapa (Kasai) condemned first class soldier Fabrice Aliata for a double murder. He killed the day before, an Army captain and a post commander.
- MAY 24, 2018CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Supreme Court overturns Robert Lewis' death sentence for intellectual disability.
USA - California. Supreme Court overturns Robert Lewis' death sentence for intellectual disability.
MAY 24, 2018PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: MURDER CONVICT GETS DEATH SENTENCE
A court sentenced a man to death for his involvement in a murder case in Daska.
- MAY 24, 2018PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. A jury sentenced Paul Henry III to death.
USA - Pennsylvania. A jury sentenced Paul Henry III to death.
- MAY 24, 2018AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Judge Hal Hughston sentenced Peter Capote to death
USA - Alabama. Judge Hal Hughston sentenced Peter Capote to death
- MAY 24, 2018ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
ZAMBIA: PRESIDENT PARDONS 464 PRISONERS AS PART OF AFRICA FREEDOM DAY COMMEMORATION
Zambian President Edgar Lungu pardoned 464 prisoners as part of the commemoration of this year's Africa Freedom Day which falls on May 25.
- MAY 23, 2018United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Federal. A federal judge has found that Estaben Santiago competent to enter a guilty plea
USA - Florida. Federal. A federal judge has found that Estaben Santiago competent to enter a guilty plea
- MAY 22, 2018BahrainDEATH PENALTY
BAHRAIN UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCES AGAINST 2 ANTI-REGIME ACTIVISTS, REVOKES CITIZENSHIP OF 9 OTHERS
Manama upheld death sentences against two activists
- MAY 22, 2018IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ COURT SENTENCES BELGIAN JIHADIST TO DEATH FOR ISLAMIC STATE MEMBERSHIP
An Iraqi court sentenced a Belgian jihadist, who threatened Europe in propaganda videos, to death by hanging for membership of the Islamic State group, an AFP journalist reported.
- MAY 22, 2018DEATH PENALTY
LOUISIANA (USA): FORMER DEATH-ROW PRISONER COREY WILLIAMS WAS RELEASED ON PLEA AGREEMENT, AMID EVIDENCE OF INNOCENCE, MISCONDUCT
Williams, 36, Black, walked free from prison in Louisiana on May 21, 2018.
- MAY 22, 2018LouisianaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Louisiana. Former Death-Row Prisoner Corey Williams Released on Plea Agreement
USA - Louisiana. Former Death-Row Prisoner Corey Williams Released on Plea Agreement
MAY 21, 2018IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: TWO TERRORISTS SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR JOINING IS
A criminal court in Iraq has sentenced two terrorists to death by hanging for joining Islamic State, a judicial spokesman said.
- MAY 21, 2018ArizonaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arizona. A jury sentenced Dwandarrius Robinson to death
USA - Arizona. A jury sentenced Dwandarrius Robinson to death
MAY 20, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: 3 TO DIE, 7 GET LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING KERANIGANJ BUSINESSMAN
A court awarded death penalty to three people and life imprisonment to seven others for killing a businessman for extortion in Keraniganj in 2006.
Show news 31–60 of 86
MAY 20, 2018KuwaitDEATH PENALTYKUWAIT: DEATH RULING IN CLERIC’S KILL
The Criminal Court has condemned to death by hanging the suspect in the murder of Kuwaiti cleric Abdul- Rahman Al-Senafi
- MAY 19, 2018OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. Jury recommends death penalty for Shawn Grate
USA - Ohio. Jury recommends death penalty for Shawn Grate
- MAY 18, 2018SpainDEATH PENALTY
UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS URGE SPAIN TO HALT EXTRADITIONS TO CHINA FEARING RISK OF TORTURE OR DEATH PENALTY
UN human rights experts say they are deeply concerned by Spain’s decision to extradite Chinese and Taiwanese individuals to the People's Republic of China
MAY 18, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER MURDER COMMITTED 17 YEARS AGO
The Colombo High Court imposed death sentence on three persons convicted of stabbing a person to death in Nawagampura, Colombo in 2001 November 05.
- MAY 18, 2018AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. Jury recommends death for Jerry Jerome Smith for the 5th time.
USA - Alabama. Jury recommends death for Jerry Jerome Smith for the 5th time.
- MAY 16, 2018DEATH PENALTY
TEXAS (USA): JUAN CASTILLO EXECUTED
Juan Castillo, 37, Hispanic, was executed.
- MAY 16, 2018TexasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Texas. Juan Castillo, 37, Hispanic, was executed.
USA - Texas. Juan Castillo, 37, Hispanic, was executed.
MAY 16, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED AT ARDABIL CENTRAL PRISON ON MURDER CHARGES
According to a close source, on the morning a prisoner was hanged at Ardabil Central Prison on murder charges.
- MAY 15, 2018FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Steven Hayward was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
USA - Florida. Steven Hayward was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
MAY 15, 2018SudanDEATH PENALTYSUDAN: WOMAN FLOGGED FOR MARRYING WITHOUT HER FATHER’S CONSENT
A woman was lashed 75 times after a court found her guilty of marrying a man without her father’s consent, her lawyer and rights activists said.
MAY 15, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 2 PUBLIC EXECUTIONS
- MAY 14, 2018EgyptDEATH PENALTY
EGYPT COURT ASKS MUFTI TO WEIGH IN ON DEATH SENTENCES FOR 13
An Egyptian court has referred the case of 13 defendants facing terrorism charges to the country's top religious authority, the Grand Mufi, for a non-binding opinion on whether they can be potentially executed as the prosecution seeks.
- MAY 14, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi citizen beheaded in Khamis Msheet
14 May 2018: Hadi bin Hassan al-Msheekhi executed for murder
MAY 14, 2018JordanDEATH PENALTYJORDAN: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER DAESH AFFILIATION
A Jordanian military court sentenced a man to death and six others to lengthy prison sentences for belonging to Daesh (ISIS), judicial sources said.
- MAY 14, 2018LouisianaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Louisiana. The United States Supreme Court has granted a new trial to Robert McCoy
USA - Louisiana. The United States Supreme Court has granted a new trial to Robert McCoy
MAY 14, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR EXECUTIONS IN THE CITIES OF ILAM, ZAHEDAN AND URMIA
Four prisoners were executed in the cities of Ilam, Zahedan and Urmia. All of the prisoners were found guilty of murder.
MAY 14, 2018IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR SLAUGHTERING RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT
An Iraqi court has sentenced a man to death by hanging for involvement in slaughtering a Russian diplomat in 2006, an Iraqi judicial official was quoted as saying.
MAY 14, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF MADARIPUR TRADER
A Madaripur court has sentenced four people to death for the murder of trader Sohel Mollik.
- MAY 14, 2018IdahoDEATH PENALTY
USA - Idaho. Judge ordered the Department of Correction to disclose lethal-injection drug records
USA - Idaho. Judge ordered the Department of Correction to disclose lethal-injection drug records
- MAY 13, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi citizen beheaded 16 years after crime
13 May 2018: Jameel Bin Mohammad Al Aseeri executed over armed attacks on banks
- MAY 13, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi citizen beheaded in Geddah
13 May 2018: Gamil Asiri executed for armed robbery
MAY 13, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 8 DAESH MEMBERS GET DEATH PENALTY
An Iranian court sentenced eight Daesh members to death over a 2017 attack on the Iranian parliament, a judicial official said.
MAY 13, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: MAN EXECUTED FOR ATTACKS ON BANKS
Saudi Arabia executed a Saudi man over armed attacks on banks in the Red Sea city of Jeddah 16 years ago.
MAY 13, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN PUBLIC
- MAY 13, 2018IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN ISFAHAN
According to IHR sources, on the morning a prisoner was hanged at Isfahan Central Prison.
MAY 12, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO HANGED AT GORGAN CENTRAL PRISON FOR 'WAGING WAR AGAINST GOD'
According to a report by IRIB News Agency, on the morning two prisoners were executed at Gorgan Central Prison.
MAY 12, 2018YemenDEATH PENALTYYEMEN: 3 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR COLLABORATING WITH FOREIGN STATE
The Specialized Penal Court in Sanaa, chaired by Judge Abdu Rajeh, sentenced three persons to death after being convicted of collaborating with a foreign country and engaging in gangs of Al-Qaeda.
- MAY 11, 2018Trinidad & TobagoDEATH PENALTY
EU PRESSURES TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
The European Union has urged Trinidad and Tobago to abolish the death penalty, saying that the bloc does not believe that capital punishment deters crime.
- MAY 11, 2018MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
AFRICAN UNION RIGHTS GROUP URGES MAURITANIA 'REVIEW' BLASPHEMY LAW
The African Union's human rights body has called on Mauritania to "review" a draft law that applies the death penalty for blasphemy as global outrage grows over the imprisonment of a young blogger.
- MAY 10, 2018TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
TUNISIA HAS 1,500 DETAINEES TRIED FOR TERRORISM
The number of people tried for terrorism in Tunisia has reached 1,500 detainees, spokesperson for the judicial counter-terrorism division Sofien Sliti said.
Show news 61–86 of 86
- MAY 10, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi citizen beheaded in Medina
10 May 2018: Mazen Haneefa executed for murder
- MAY 10, 2018AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. After retrial, Derek Tyler Horton, once sentenced to death, was sentenced to life without parole.
USA - Alabama. After retrial, Derek Tyler Horton, once sentenced to death, was sentenced to life without parole.
MAY 10, 2018SudanDEATH PENALTYSUDAN: PRESIDENT AL-BASHIR PARDONS 5 DEATH-SENTENCED REBELS
Sudan’s President Omer al-Bashir pardoned five members of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who had been sentenced to death by military courts.
- MAY 9, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Indonesian maid pardoned for baby’s murder hosts parents
9 May 2018: Masamah binti Raswa Sanusi receives parents in Indonesia
MAY 9, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED AT RAJAI SHAHR PRISON
According to a close source, on the morning a prisoner was executed at Rajai Shahr Prison. The prisoner, charged with murder, was identified as Reza Hamidi.
MAY 9, 2018PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: MAN AWARDED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KILLING PRAYER LEADER
A convict was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in a sectarian killing case pertaining to the murder of a prayer leader in Karachi.
MAY 9, 2018SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: WOMAN STONED TO DEATH AFTER AL-SHABAB CONVICTION
The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab says it has stoned to death a woman accused of marrying 11 men.
MAY 8, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: TWO ISLAMISTS ORDERED HANGED FOR MACHETE MURDER OF PROFESSOR
Two Islamists were sentenced to be hanged for the murder of a Bangladesh university professor who was hacked to death with a machete two years ago, a prosecutor said.
MAY 8, 2018YemenDEATH PENALTYYEMEN: 17 SENTENCED TO DEATH, 87 JAILED ON VARIOUS CHARGES IN SANAA
The Specialized Criminal Court of First Instance in Sanaa sentenced 17 defendants to death and jailed 87 others for different periods in separate cases.
- MAY 8, 2018ConnecticutDEATH PENALTY
USA - Connecticut. Todd Rizzo was resentenced to life in prison
USA - Connecticut. Todd Rizzo was resentenced to life in prison
- MAY 8, 2018TexasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Texas. Judge Everett Young has recommended that Paul Storey's sentence be changed to life without parole
USA - Texas. Judge Everett Young has recommended that Paul Storey's sentence be changed to life without parole
MAY 8, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: 4 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING MICROBUS DRIVER
A Netrakona court sentenced four people to death for killing a microbus driver in 2013, reports UNB.
MAY 7, 2018BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: 2 GET DEATH FOR KILLING A-LEVEL STUDENT IN DHAKA
The High Court handed down death penalty to two people and life-term jail to two others for the killing of Ashikur Rahman Khan Apu, an A-level student, in Dhaka’s Wari area in 2008.
MAY 5, 2018IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN BABOL PRISON
According to Rokna news agency, a prisoner was hanged on the morning at Babol Prison on murder charges.
- MAY 4, 2018DEATH PENALTY
GEORGIA (USA): ROBERT EARL BUTTS JR. EXECUTED
Robert Earl Butts Jr., 40, Black, was executed.
- MAY 4, 2018DEATH PENALTY
USA - Georgia. Robert Earl Butts, 40, Black, was executed.
USA - Georgia. Robert Earl Butts, 40, Black, was executed.
- MAY 4, 2018ArizonaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arizona. Over 20 death row exonerees gather to call for an end to the death penalty.
USA - Arizona. Over 20 death row exonerees gather to call for an end to the death penalty.
- MAY 4, 2018IndianaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Indiana. Darren Vann pleaded guilty to seven murders and will be sentenced to life without parole.
USA - Indiana. Darren Vann pleaded guilty to seven murders and will be sentenced to life without parole.
MAY 3, 2018TaiwanDEATH PENALTYTAIWAN: HIGH COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH OVER ARSON THAT KILLED 6
The Taiwan High Court handed down the death sentence to a man found guilty of an arson two years ago that resulted in the death of six members of the same family in an apartment building in New Taipei City.
MAY 3, 2018MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: DEATH PENALTY NO LONGER MANDATORY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) is pleased that the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2017, which received royal assent on 27 December 2017, has finally, after much delay, come into force on 15 March 2018.
- MAY 3, 2018IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
According to Baluch Activists Campaign, on the morning a prisoner was executed at Zahedan Central Prison on murder charges.
MAY 2, 2018ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: TWO MYANMAR DRUG DEALERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
A court in southwest China's Yunnan Province sentenced two people from Myanmar to death for drug trafficking and killing a Chinese policeman.
- MAY 2, 2018FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Judge Mallory Cooper sentenced Donald Smith to death
USA - Florida. Judge Mallory Cooper sentenced Donald Smith to death
- MAY 2, 2018OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. Judge Jeffrey Robinson sentenced James Worley to death
USA - Ohio. Judge Jeffrey Robinson sentenced James Worley to death
- MAY 1, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Two Saudi citizens beheaded in Rivadeh
1 May 2018: double execution for murder
- MAY 1, 2018United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Federal prosecutors have reached a plea agreement with Esteban Santiago
USA - Federal prosecutors have reached a plea agreement with Esteban Santiago
