International Death Penalty News 2025, Issue 06: France, India, Japan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United States of America

France

Sixty-one-year-old Serge Atlaoui has returned to France after spending 18 years on death row in Indonesia. In 2005, Atlaoui was arrested at a factory in Jakarta, Indonesia. He was accused of being a “chemist” as dozens of kilograms of drugs were discovered at the factory. Atlaoui denied the charges against him, claiming he was a welder and installing machinery in what he believed to be an acrylic factory. An agreement was reached last month between France and Indonesia to return Atlaoui to his home nation. Under the agreement, France is free to either grant him clemency, amnesty, or reduce his sentence.

India

An appeal challenging the death sentence for 24-year-old Greeshma was heard by the Kerala High Court. Greeshma is convicted of murdering her boyfriend 23-year-old Sharon Raj by poisoning him on October 14, 2022. Her uncle, Nirmala Kumaran Nair, was also convicted and sentenced to death for the crime. Both are appealing their sentences and seeking to have their sentences suspended until the appeal is resolved. In her appeal, Greeshma alleges that her trial was unfair, that there was a lack of evidence to convict her, and that the prosecution ran a “vilification campaign” against her before the trial, unduly influencing the jury.

Japan

In 2024, Shinji Aoba was convicted of setting fire to the Kyoto Animation Studio 1, killing 36 individuals. He admitted to all charges, however, his lawyers claimed that Aoba was “non compos mentis” (not in his right mind) and pleaded not guilty on his behalf. Aoba was also set on fire during the attack and suffered extreme burns to a large part of his body. On January 27, 2025, Aoba submitted a document seeking to withdraw his appeal and finalize the death sentence against him. However, his lawyers are asking for that document to be invalidated by the court so that they may continue to appeal on Aoba’s behalf.

Nigeria

In 2023, 67-year-old Dahare Abubakar was attacked while she was working on her farm. She was beaten and stabbed to death. Five men were quickly arrested for the murder. Dahare was accused of witchcraft after the wife of Abdulaziz Yahaya, one of the arrested men, had a dream in which was being chased by Dahare, who was holding a knife. This led to accusations of witchcraft against Dahare. The group of men then organized to confront Dahare, ending in her death. Death sentences are rarely carried out in Nigeria.

Teh House of Representatives has asked the Attorney General and the Federation and Justice Minister to change existing laws on the production nd circulation of fake drugs. One suggestion included the possibility of sentencing those convicted of producing and circulating fake drugs to be sentenced to death. Supports of stricter laws argue that current penalties are too lenient to deter such actions. Additionally, the government is being encouraged to strengthen regulatory agencies with modern equipment and advanced technology to help with the enforcement of drug laws.

Saudi Arabia

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, two men, Fahd bin Saud Al-Shammari and Sami bin Khalid al-Mutairi, were executed in Riyadh. Executions are traditionally carried out by beheading with a sword. The two men, both Saudi nationals, were convicted and executed on “terrorism” related charges.

United States of America

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Steven Nelson was executed by the state of Texas. Steven was 37 years of age. He was executed for the murder of 28-year-old Clinton Dobson, pastor of NorthPointe Baptist Church, on March 3, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. Another person, Judy Elliot, was several injured during the crime as well.

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Demetrius Frazier was executed in Alabama. He was 52 years of age. Demetrius was executed for the murder of 40-year-old Pauline Brown on November 27, 1991, in Birmingham, Alabama. Demetrius was also charged with raping eight other women and murdering 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick on March 8, 1992, in Detroit, Michigan. He received two life sentences and 60-90 years in prison for other crimes.

New US Attorney General Pam Bondi claims that the last-minute commutations for nearly all federal death row inmates “undermined our justice system and subverted the rule of law.” She pointed out how the commutations have denied the victim’s families of promised justice and is seeking to hear how the commutations have affected them. Bondi is also encouraging US attorney’s offices to pursue death sentences against the inmates using state laws instead of federal laws.

Twenty-six-year-old Luigi Mangione is accused of murdering 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside his hotel in Manhattan, New York. While New York does not have the death penalty, Mangione is facing federal charges that could result in a death sentence if convicted. Recently a new lawyer was added to his case, specifically one that specialized in capital cases.

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Corey Smith had his death sentence reduced to 30 years in prison after a judge found prosecutorial misconduct in his case. Smith was first arrested and convicted on federal drug and weapons charges in 2001. He received a 50-year prison sentences. He was then convicted and sentenced to death in Florida for murdering Angel Wilson, Cynthia Brown, Leon Hadley, and Jackie Pope. However, in 2016, the Florida Supreme Court ordered that he receive a new sentencing trial, during which, his lawyers argued that the prosecution granted witnesses “favors” in exchange for their testimonies. Because of the misconduct, the death penalty was waived and a plea deal was reached in which Smith received a sentence of 30 years in state prison. After serving his sentence in both state and federal custody, Smith may one day be released from prison.

In 1963, Leon Tice Junior was sentenced to death for murdering the 13-year-old daughter and two-year-old son of the woman he had been seeing. Allegedly, she wanted to stop seeing Tice, which upset him. At the time, Iowa Governor Harold Hughes was attempting to abolish the death penalty. When he was unsuccessful, he commuted Tice’s death sentence to life in prison. Eventually, capital punishment was outlawed in Iowa in 1965. Now, it has been reported that Tice died while in prison on January 30, 2025. He was 84 years of age. His cause of death has not yet been reported.

The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of 54-year-old Raymond Oyler. Oyler was convicted and sentenced to death for starting the 2006 Esperanza Fire near Cabazon, California. Five firefighters died during the fire. Oyler’s attorneys are arguing that under a 2018 law, he cannot be considered the “actual killer” and should have his death sentence removed. The 2018 law requires that for a person to be convicted of murder, they must be the actual killer, have helped the actual killer, with intent, or have been a major participant and acted with reckless indifference to human life. It is now up to the California Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the phrase” actual killer.” Oyler, who had previously trained as a volunteer firefighter, was convicted of starting the fire by the jury.

The House of Representatives in Idaho has approved a bill by a vote of 58-11, to make the firing squad the primary method for carrying out executions. Supporters of the bill argue that a firing squad is a “ more humane way” to carry out an execution, especially over lethal injection, the state’s currently primary method. Additionally, the bill’s sponsor claims that the firing squad would lead to less litigation. There are presently nine individuals on death row in Idaho. Last year, Idaho failed, for the first time, to carry out a lethal injection execution when experts were unable to establish the necessary IV lines. If the bill for the firing squad passes, it will not go into effect until July 2026.