Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa commuted the death...

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa commuted the death sentences of 15 prisoners who were convicted for murder and aggravated robbery.
Mwanawasa substituted the death penalties with various prison sentences ranging from 20 to 50 years to be backdated from the time the convicts were sentenced, presidential press aide Jack Kalala said in a statement.
"This is in cases in which the 15 had been sent to the gallows for murder and aggravated robberies," Kalala said.
He said Mwanawasa decided to quash the death sentences after the 15 prisoners appealed to the president to exercise his prerogative of mercy in accordance with Zambia's constitution.