International Death Penalty News 2024, Issue 38: DR Congo, Indonesia, Iran, Singapore, Somalia, Taiwan, United States of America

DR Congo

Three American citizens, a British citizen, a Belgian citizen, and a Canadian citizen were among the 37 individuals sentenced to death in DR Congo over a failed coup attempt in May 2024.  The charges against them include terrorism, murder, and criminal association.  They have five days to appeal the sentence.  The lawyer representing the six foreigns has said he plans to appeal, as they had inadequate interpreters during the case.

Indonesia

At least four people could be sentenced to death on the resort island of Bali if they are convicted of trafficking drugs.  Two Thai nationals were arrested for bringing the drugs into the country, while two Indonesians were arrested for ordering the drugs.  If convicted, all could be sentenced to de ath.  Executions are carried out by firing squad.  Indonesia is known to have some of the strictest drug laws in the world.

Iran

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024,  37-year-old Mansour Salari was executed in Jiroft Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Mansour was convicted of killing his cousin due to personal issues.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered “intentional murder,” with mitigating evidence rarely being considered.  After conviction, the family of the victim determines the sentence of the condemned, choosing between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas.  Diya can be demanded, but if the amount is not raised within a certain time period, the convicted is executed.  State officials and the media have not yet reported the execution.

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 37-year-old Mostafa Fashi was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered “intentional murder,” with mitigating evidence rarely being considered.  After conviction, the family of the victim determines the sentence of the condemned, choosing between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas.  Diya can be demanded, but if the amount is not raised within a certain time period, the convicted is executed.  State officials and the media have not yet reported the execution.

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 40-year-old Kiumars Alalyi was executed in Qazvin Prison.  He has one child.  Kiumars was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered “intentional murder,” with mitigating evidence rarely being considered.  After conviction, the family of the victim determines the sentence of the condemned, choosing between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas.  Diya can be demanded, but if the amount is not raised within a certain time period, the convicted is executed.  His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, Abdolrahman Tajik, an Afghan national, was executed in Ghezelhesar Prison.  He was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.  

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, two Baluch ethnic minorities were executed in Shiraz Central Prison.  They have been identified as Sasan Bozorgzadeh and Saeed Khajeh Heydari.  Both men were arrested on separate drug-related charges in 2019.  After they were convicted, they were sentenced to death.  Executions for drug-related crimes have been steadily rising in recent years.  Over half of the executions carried out in 2023 were for drug-related charges.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 60-year-old Hamidreza Hasanzehi Sani was executed in Bandar Abbas Central Prison.  Hamidreza was the father of eight children.  He was arrested three years ago and convicted on drug-related charges.  His family was afforded a final visit before the execution.  State officials and the media have not yet announced Hamidreza’s execution, which was reported by a human rights organization.

Singapore

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs has concluded that 77.4 percent of respondents support the use of capital punishment for serious crimes, including murder and trafficking large amounts of drugs.  This is an increase from a 2021 serve where only 73.7 percent of people support capital punishment.  There was also a small increase in the number of respondents who support mandatory death sentences for the same crimes.

Somalia

The death penalty has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Somalia for Sayid-Ali Moalim Daud.  Sayid is convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Luul Abdiaziz, in January 2024, by setting her on fire.  Luul was the mother to six other children.  Luul’s family is pleased with the ruling, however lawyers for Sayid have indicated they plan further appeals.

Taiwan

A recent poll found that just over 80 percent of Taiwanese citizens support keeping capital punishment, with only 17 percent opposing the practice.  When the responders were given additional information regarding the death penalty and alternative punishments, opinions changed, mainly changing those who were opposed to being undecided.  The information gathered in this poll was used to urge the Constitutional Court to uphold the constitutionality of the death penalty. 

On Friday, September 20, 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that the death penalty can remain in use, but only for “the most serious” crimes such as premeditated murder and other crimes that result in death.  Additionally, the ruling also prohibits those with mental disorders or deficiencies from receiving a death sentence.  This ruling came after 37 death row inmates in the nation challenged the constitutionality of the death penalty.  The 37 inmates have already exhausted all other appeal options.  Many believe that this 7-5 ruling will make it more difficult to impose.  It is unclear at this time if any of the 37 inmates will be able to use this ruling to further appeal their cases.

United States of America

In 2014, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on execution in the state.  Then, in 2018, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the way the state implemented capital punishment was racist.  In 2023, capital punishment was officially abolished by the state legislature.  Now, the death chamber at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla has officially been closed.  Seventy-eight inmates were executed in the death chamber since 1904, with the last execution, that of Cal Coburn Brown, occurring in 2010.  According to officials with the Washington State Department of Corrections, the room will be left intact, with a plaque placed to remember its historical significance.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, a jury in Florida voted 9-5 to recommend that 37-year-old Eriese Tisdale again be sentenced to death for the murder of St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Morales on February 28, 2013.  The murder occurred during a traffic stop in Fort Pierce, Florida.  Prosecutors successfully argued that Tisdale shot Sgt. Morales because he was driving with a suspended license and a loaded gun.  Sgt. Morales never exited his vehicle or had a chance to fire his weapon.  Tisdale was previously sentenced to death, however, when the Florida legislature passed a law that death sentences had to receive a unanimous recommendation by a jury, he was given a new trial.  Since being granted a new trial and having his trial, the law has again changed, now only requiring 8 jurors to support a recommendation of death.  The judge is expected to confirm the sentence next month, after which, it will automatically be appealed.

A Pennsylvania district attorney has announced that they plan to seek the death penalty against 37-year-old Calvin Huffman.  Huffman is accused of paying 14-year-old Antonyo Owens with $5,000 cash and three bags of marijuana if he killed 38-year-old Anthony Jones.  Huffman is also believed to have helped Owens evade law enforcement after the June 6, 2023, murder.  Owens has been charged as an adult for the crimes, however, since he was under the age of 18 when the murder occurred, he cannot be sentenced to death.

Vietnam

In April 2024, 67-year-old Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, was convicted of defrauding Saigon Commercial Bank over 10 years.  He was then sentenced to death.   Now, Lan, along with 33 other defendants have begun a new trial for money laundering, illegal cross-border trafficking of cash, and fraud.  About 36,000 individuals have been identified as victims in the case.  Over the 10 years, they stole about $18 billion.