Death Penalty

Iran confirms death sentence for Swedish-Iranian dual national

Habib Farajollah Chaab, who was found guilty on charges of "corruption on earth" and the formation of a rebel group, was sentenced to death on December 6.

UK sanctions Iran prosecutor general over British-Iranian's execution

British foreign secretary says sanctioning Mohammad Jafar Montazeri "underlines our disgust at Alireza Akbari's execution."

Iran orders retrial of rapper reportedly on death row

The rapper Saman Seydi has been facing the death penalty since accusations of involvement in the protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.

Parents plead Iran judiciary to spare son who faces imminent death penalty

Iranian authorities have announced 11 death sentences so far in connection with the demonstrations, which Tehran blames on "foreign enemies" in the West.

Equatorial Guinea abolishes death penalty

Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced that the central African nation has abolished the death penalty, calling it a “unique moment.”

Malaysia agrees to abolish mandatory death penalty

The Southeast Asian country has mandatory death penalty for some offences, including drug trafficking and murder, while the law also allows the punishment for some other crimes at the court's discretion.

Saudi Arabia puts dozens to death in its largest mass execution

The number of executed surpassed even the toll of a January 1980 mass execution for the 63 militants convicted of seizing the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979.

Sierra Leone abolishes 'inhumane' death penalty

President Julius Maada Bio has signed the abolition bill during a ceremony in the capital Freetown after lawmakers approved the text in July.

US stops federal executions — at least for now

The move comes after a federal lawsuit challenged the use of pentobarbital, the drug used for lethal injection.

Riyadh executes man for offences rights groups say he committed as minor

Saudi authorities said last year that they would stop sentencing to death people who committed crimes while minors, who would instead serve up to 10 years in juvenile detention, and would apply this retroactively.

Kazakhstan abolishes death penalty

Even though a moratorium on capital punishement had been in place since 2003, courts in the Central Asian country had continued to sentence convicts to death in exceptional circumstances.

Bangladesh approves death penalty for rapists

Bangladesh rights activists blame the increasing number of sexual assaults on a culture of impunity and poor prosecutorial outcomes, saying tougher penalties are not enough.