International Death Penalty News 2024, Issue 43: China, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United States of America

China

Twenty-five-year-old Li Mouyong has been sentenced to death by the Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court.  Mouyong is convicted of brutally murdering Li Moufei and Liu, both kindergarten teachers, on December 11, 2023, in their rented home in Shandong Province.  Mouyong allegedly carried out the murders due to resentment due to personal issues, including a vendetta against Moufei, his former classmate.  

Iran

On Monday, October 7, 2024,  Milad Badinlu was executed in Qom Central Prison.  He was convicted of murdering another person during a street fight and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Shahin Dehghani and Afghan national Abdolghader were executed in Qom Central Prison.  Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  State officials and the media have not yet reported their executions.

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Ali Maroufkhani was executed in Qazvin Central Prison.  Executions are traditionally carried out by hanging.  He was arrested about four years ago on drug-related charges.  Following his arrest, he was convicted and sentenced to death.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.  

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, 35-year-old Ali Najari and Ali Asghar Kujavari were executed in Tabriz Central Prison.  Both men were convicted and sentenced to death in separate drug-related cases.  They were arrested bout three and two years ago, respectively.  Neither execution has yet been perorated by state officials or the media.  

On Monday, October 14, 2024, Alireza Kheshavehpour was executed in Mashhad 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, October 14, 2024, Rasoul Fili and an unidentified woman were executed in Hamedan Central Prison.  Both were convicted and executed on drug-related charges.  Drug-related executions have been on the rise for the last three years.  Neither execution has yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Vali Heshmatpour was executed in Shirvan Prison.  Vali was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  State officials and the media have not yet reported on Vali’s execution.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 33-year-old Amir Soleimani was executed in Urmia Central Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead. Amir’s execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.  

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, two men were executed in Qom Central Prison. One of the men was identified only as an Afghan national, while the second man has been identified as Mohsen Khodabandehlu.  Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Neither execution has yet been reported by state officials or the media.  

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, six men were executed in Ghezelhesar Prison.  Three of the men have been identified as Javid Ahmadi, Abdolbari Tajik, and Pasha Pashto.  Tajik and Pashto were both Afghan nationals.  All three, along with an unidentified fourth man, were convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  The two other unidentified men, both Afghan nationals, were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  State officials and the media have not yet repotted these executions.

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 32-year-old Mohammad Ashouri was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.  After his arrest about six years ago, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  Allegedly, Ashouri was given a chance to pay diya, but he was unable to raise the money.  His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 37-year-old Yousef Shirvani and Jafar Sameie were executed in Zanjan Central Prison.  Yousef was arrested about three years ago.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Jafar was arrested about three years ago and sentenced to death on rape charges.  State officials and the media have not yet announced either execution.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, 30-year-old Nourmorad Geravand was executed in Qazvin Central Prison. After his arrest about four years ago, Nourmorad was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, 45-year-old Mahmoud Bameri was secretly executed in Kahnuj Prison.  The Baluch ethnic minority was accused of killing a policeman.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to pay diya (blood money).  He was also convicted of moharebeh, that is, enmity against god, for the same crime.  While Mahmoud paid the diya, he was executed on the charge of moharebeh.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Mohammadreza Mahjour 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 charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  State officials and the media have not yet reported the execution.

On Sunday, October 19, 2024, 29-year-old Reza Abbasi was executed in Rasht Central Prison.  He was convicted of committing a murder during a group fight about four years ago.  He was then sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  His execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Reza Karimi Zarasavand was executed in Shahre Kord Central Prison.  He was arrested about four years ago and then convicted of murder.  He was sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  Reza’s execution has not yet been announced by state officials or the media.

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Behzad Ghaffari and 35-year-old Javad Ebrahimi were executed in Tabriz Central Prison.  Both men were charged and convicted in the same drug-related case.  They each received a death sentence.  State officials and the media have not yet reported their executions.  

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, Mohammad Saberi was executed in Malayer Prison.  He was arrested about two years ago on drug-related charges.  After conviction, Mohammad was sentenced to death.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.  Since 2021, drug-related executions in the nation have been increasing.

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, a woman identified only as Ms Firouzi, Hassan Yousefi, 45-year-old Siamak Mulaii, and Mohammad Amin Nourafkan were executed in Tabriz Central Prison.  Firouzi was convicted of murdering her husband.  In a separate murder case, Hassan and Siamak were also both convicted of murder.  All three were sentenced to qisas, that is retribution in kind.  The third man, Mohammad, was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  None of the executions have yet been reported by state officials or the media.  

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, 32-year-old Baluch ethnic minority, Bahman Sheikh Hosseini was executed in Birjand Central Prison.  He was the father of three children.  Bahman was arrested about four years ago before being convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  His execution has not yet been officially reported.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, Mohammad Farhadzadeh and 40-year-old Hamid Chatrsimabeh were executed in Jiroft Prison.  Mohammad was arrested seven years ago for murder.  He was convicted and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Hamid was convicted of moharebeh (enmity against god) and murder for killing a police officer.  The family of the victim did not demand his execution, however, he was executed on the moharebeh charge.  State officials and the media have not yet reported either execution. 

On Monday, October 21, 2024, 29-year-old Mehdi Cheraghi was executed in Qorveh Prison.  He was convicted of murdering a 64-year-old man about seven years ago. After his conviction, he was sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are charged as intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely taken into consideration.  After conviction, the family of the victim chooses between demanding diya (blood money), granting forgiveness, or demanding qisas.  There is no limit to the amount of diya that can be demanded and if the convicted and his family is unable to raise the money, qisas will be carried out instead.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution. 

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 33-year-old Salman Aghayi was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.  Salman, a father of one, was arrested about three years ago.  He was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  Before his arrest, he worked as a school caretaker.  His execution has not yet been officials reported.

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, five men were executed in Ghezelhesar Prison.  Two of the men have been identified as Mohammad Koushaki and Babakhani Jafari.  Both men were convicted and executed on drug-related charges.  A third man, Arman Naserzadeh was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  The final two men were only identified as Afghan nationals.  They were convicted on separate charges of murder and rape.  None of the executions have been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, four people were executed in Karaj Central Prison.  The four, who were not named, were convicted of selling contaminated bootleg alcohol that resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals.  The production and consumption of alcohol has been banned since 1979, however, bootleg alcohol remains very popular, if not always safe.  

Israel

Last month, seven Israeli citizens were arrested and accused of spying for Iran.  The seven individuals allegedly carried out about 600 spy missions for Iran, including on security figures and military bases.  Some of the military families were later targeted by missile or drone strikes.  Five of the alleged spies have been identified as Azis Nisanov, Alexander Sadykov, Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe, and Yigal Nissan, while the other two have not had their names released due to them being underage.  Treason is one of the few crimes eligible for the death penalty in Israel. In Israel’s 76-year history, only two people have ever been sentenced to death and executed.  One of those was Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.    

Saudi Arabia

Four Yemeni nationals were executed on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.  Executions are traditionally carried out by beheading. The men have been identified as Yahya Lutfullah, Ali Azib, Ahmed Ali, and Salem Nahari.  All were convicted of “smuggling Hashish” not the kingdom.  Additionally, a Pakistani man was also executed for drug trafficking.  He has not been identified by name.  

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, two Saudi nationals were executed.  The unnamed men were convicted of murder.  No further details were given.  Executions are traditionally carried out by beheading.  

United States of America

A moratorium remains on executions in Kentucky after a recent ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court.  The Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a request from the Attorney General’s official to resume executions in the state.  The decision was unanimous.  Attorney General Russell Coleman filed the request to resume executions after the Kentucky Department of Corrections revised its rules and procedures for carrying out lethal injection executions earlier this year.  The injunction halting all executions in the state has been in effect since 2010, with the last execution occurring in 2008.  There are currently 25 death row inmates in the state.

Prosecutors in Nebraska are seeking the death penalty against 26-year-old Alias Reed.  Reed is accused of murdering 49-year-old William Reffett and 77-year-old Curtis Strom on February 20, 2024, in a Bloomfield, Nebraska bowling alley.  Lawyers for Reed are attempting to remove the death penalty from the case, arguing that it is unconstitutional.  

Thirty-seven-year-old Julius Trotter could be sentenced to death in Nevada.  Trotter is accused of murdering and robbing Sang Nghia and Khuong Nguyen in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 1, 2018.  Trotter claims he is innocent, however, he was found with multiple items that were stolen from their Circus Circus hotel room, where they were also murdered.  Sang and Khuong were both Vietnamese nationals.

Prosecutors in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania have announced they will no longer be seeking the death penalty for 32-year-old Ronald Steave.  Steave is accused of murdering his 28-year-old ex-girlfriend Nandi Fitzgerald, her 12-year-old son Denzel “Buddy” Nowlin Jr., and Nadi’s 28-year-old friend Tatiana “Tay” Hill on December 31, 2021.  Initially, prosecutors announced in May 2022 that they would be seeking the death penalty, however, they have now changed their minds due to concerns over the mental competency of Steave.  

Prosecutors in Florida are seeking the death penalty against Tyshael Elise Martin.  Martin is accused of abusing and murdering nine-year-old Jamaria Sessions, the daughter of Martin’s boyfriend.  Video evidence showed that Martin ordered the family’s large dog to repeatedly attack Jamaria.  Other evidence of physical abuse was also found.  Jamaria’s father has also been arrested.