International Death Penalty News Issue 40: India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, United States of America

India

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the Bombay High Court upheld the death sentence of Sunil Kuchkoravi. Sunil is convicted of murdering his 63-year-old mother Yallama Rama Kuchkoravi at their home on August 28, 2017, and eating some parts of her body. Allegedly, Sunil committed the murder because his mother had refused to lend him money to buy alcohol. The court found that there was no chance for rehabilitation for Sunil and that cannibalism cases fall under the “rarest of the rare” classification necessary to impose the death penalty.

A court has sentenced Prasanta Baghar to death for the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl on March 25, 2022. The young girl had wandered into a field when Baghar kidnapped her. He eventually beheaded the young girl using an ax and returned home with her head. This led to a fight between Baghar and his wife which resulted in the police being called.

Iran

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, three men were executed in Rasht Central Prison. The men have been identified as Mostafa Amani, 32-year-old Nasrollah Pirasteh, and Arman Atayi. Mostafa and Nasrollah were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, while Arman was convicted and sentenced to death for drug-related charges. Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. Their executions have not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 21-year-old Yasin Darvishi was executed in Gorgan 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 and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Monday, September 23, 2024, Ramin Poursafar was executed at Rasht Central 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 Monday, September 23, 2024, 32-year-old Yaser Balandeh was executed in Jiroft Prison. He was convicted of murdering his cousin over a property dispute. After conviction, Yaser was sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. In Yaser’s case, the family of the victims was willing to grant forgiveness, except for the brother of the deceased, who demanded Yaser be executed. The brother placed the noose around Yaser’s neck. State officials and the media have not yet reported the execution.

On Monday, September 23, 2024, 40-year-old Khodamorad Zandi was executed at Boroujerd Prison. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. His execution has not yet been announced by state officials or the media.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Mahmoud Atayi was executed in Isfahan 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 and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, 41-year-old Shahin Yousef Oughli was executed in Tabriz Central Prison. He was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges. His execution has not yet been reported by state officials and the media.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, 33-year-old Milad Ekhlaspour was executed in Kerman 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 and mitigating evidence is rarely considered. After conviction, the family of the deceased must decide between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or qisas. His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, 41-year-old Baluch ethnic minority Amanollah Nehtani was executed in Zahedan Central Prison. He was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges. State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, two unnamed men were publicly executed by hanging in Khomein. Both men were convicted of moharebeh (enmity against god) and efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) for participating in an armed robbery. During the robbery on December 15, 2020, they killed a policeman while escaping. They were the second and third public executions of the year.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, Nesar Ahmad Rahmati was executed in Mashhad Central Prison. Nesar, an Afghan national, was convicted and sentenced to death about six years ago on drug-related charges. State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

Japan

New Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara has stated that it would be “inappropriate” to abolish the death penalty in the nation. His announcement comes shortly after the acquittal of the longest-serving death row inmate in the nation. In Japan, the death penalty is carried out by hanging, often with inmate only receiving a few hour’s notice of their impending execution. While Minister Makihara is opposed to abolishing capital punishment, he has promised to be “cautious and extremely sincere” when evaluating if an individual should be sentenced to death. The last execution in Japan occurred in July of 2022.

Malaysia

The Federal Court has announced it has decided to uphold the death penalty for seven Filipino nationals. The seven foreigners are accused of terrorist activities during the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion. The seven individuals have been identified as 60-year-old Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 52-year-old Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 49-year-old Basad H. Manuel, 59-year-old Virgilio Nemar Patulada, 68-year-old Al Wazir Osman, 70-year-old Tani Lahad Dahi, and 75-year-old Julham Rashid. They are accused of killing nine Malaysian security personnel during an armed incursion.

North Korea

Recent reports indicate that several new crimes have been added to the list of crimes punishable by execution. The new crimes eligible for the death penalty include anti-state propaganda and agitation acts, illegal manufacturing, and the illicit use of weapons. Other crimes eligible for execution that were established in 2020 include the wearing of South Korean and Western fashion, including white wedding dresses, blue jeans, and sunglasses, and the use of outside slang terms. Punishment for crimes could be reduced from capital punishment to time in prison camps and forced reeducation. It is unknown how many executions are carried out each year, as North Korea does not report such information.

Saudi Arabia

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, three executions were carried out, likely by beheading. With these three executions, 2024 has become the year with the most executions since tracking of executions began in 1990. So far this year, Saudi Arabia has carried out 198 executions. In 2023, only 170 executions occurred. The names and crimes of those executed on Saturday have not yet been reported.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, Pakistani national Nadeem Shahzad was executed in Dammam. Nadeem was convicted and sentenced to death for smuggling heroin.

Taiwan

With the Constitutional Court ruling that only “the most serious” premeditated murders or other crimes could result in the death sentence, questions have arisen surrounding the 37 death row inmates who have exhausted all their appeals. There were some concerns that the 37 inmates would have their sentences revoked and be released following the ruling, but Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien has stated that will not happen. Instead, the 37 death row inmates will remain in prison on death row, unless the Supreme Court reviews their cases and rules that they are to be released. In order for the Supreme Court to consider their cases, the head prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office would need to file extraordinary appeals for the prisoners. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office has announced it will file such appeals for at least two death row inmates, as their crimes were ruled ineligible for the death penalty by the Constitutional Court’s recent ruling. Further, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office has announced it will review the cases of the remaining 35 inmates who have exhausted all appeals and determine if an extraordinary should be made on their behalf.

United States of America

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Garcia White was executed by the state of Texas. White was 61 years of age. He was executed for the murders of twin 16-year-olds, Bernette and Annette Edwards, on December 2, 1989, in Houston, Texas. Garcia also killed their mother, Bonita.

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Alfred Mitchell was scheduled to be executed by the state of Oklahoma. His execution is stayed, pending a new execution date. Mitchell is convicted of murdering Elaine Scott on January 7, 1991, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Officials in Idaho have announced that they are renovating the execution chamber to accommodate execution by firing squad, in compliance with a new law. Lawmakers recently passed a law that permits the use of a firing squad for executions, in addition to lethal injection. The new law was passed after the failed execution of 74-year-old Thomas Creech on February 28, 2024. Technicians were unable to establish IV lines to carry out the execution. It is not yet clear when the renovations will be complete.

On Thursday, September 27, 2024, California death row inmate Alberto Martinez was beaten to death in prison. He was 46 years of age. His death is currently under investigation. Prison staff observed Martinez being struck several times by fellow inmate Tyler Lua, before two others, Jorge D. Negrete-Larios and Luis J. Beltran, also began hitting Martinez. Prison staff were eventually able to get to Martinez, however, he died from his injuries later that day. All three suspects have been moved into a restricted house until the conclusion of the investigation. Martinez was imprisoned and sentenced to death for kidnapping and murdering a man. He was paid to commit the murder by the man’s sister. Martinez was also a member of the Mexican Mafia and was sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder and street gang activity. Martinez was moved off death row in California after Governor Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on execution in 2019.

Officials in Alabama have announced they plan to seek the death penalty for Jordan Hernandez. Hernandez is accused of murdering Dustin Grimes during a robbery on November 4, 2023, in Lawrence County. Hernandez also kidnapped and attempted to murder Dustin’s wife, who was eventually able to escape and contact the police.

On Monday, September 23, 2024, Nevada death row inmate John Watson died at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. He was 84 years of age. His cause of death has not yet been released. Watson was a retired high school math teacher when he and his wife took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Watson, concerned that his wife was going to divorce him, derived a plan to kill her. While her body was never discovered, DNA evidence was found in a shower drain and Watson admitted to cooking and eating her body. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010.

Prosecutors in Florida have announced their intent to seek the death penalty against 48-year-old Julie Ann Sulpizio. Julie is accused of murdering Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link on August 2, 2024, in Eustis, Florida. Two other deputies were injured in the ambush. Julie lured the deputies to her home where she, her husband, and her two daughters, opened fire on them as they approached. Julie is believed to be the mastermind behind the attack and has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Her husband and two daughters died at the scene of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Forty-nine-year-old Corey Binderim could be sentenced to death if he is convicted of the murder of 65-year-old Susan Mauldin in Fleming Island, Florida. Binderim was hired by Susan to remodel her bathroom, however, after demolishing her bathroom, he failed to complete the job and missed work several times. Eventually, Susan decided she would demand that he refund her money or she would sue him. Susan was reported missing on October 25 by her friends. Her body was eventually discovered in a landfill. Binderim’s trial recently began and if convicted, he could be sentenced to death.

Prosecutors in Utah have announced they will be pursuing the death penalty against Michael Aaron Jayne, who is accused of murdering Santaquin Police Sergeant Bill Hooser. Jayne is accused of murdering Sergeant Hooser during a traffic stop on May 5, 2024. Jayne fled from the traffic stop, striking and killing Hooser with his truck. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.