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After acquittal of ex-death row inmate, debate needed on Japan's death penalty

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Japan should be ensuring the safety of its citizens, but instead it is taking people's lives. Is it acceptable to maintain the ultimate penalty under such circumstances? This is a serious question for society. The acquittal of 88-year-old Iwao Hakamada, who had been handed the death penalty, has been finalized after prosecutors decided not to appeal the verdict issued by the Shizuoka District Court during his retrial.

Five Prisoners Hanged in Iran

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Iran Human Rights, May 15, 2014: One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran) early this morning reported the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in Semnan. edam-isca

The prisoner was identified as “A. S.” and was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas (retribution).

According to unofficial sources four other prisoners were hanged in the prison of Urmia (West Azerbaijan, northwestern Iran) on Tuesday May 13. 

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that the prisoners were identified as “Mohammad Jalili Ayan, Vahid Pajohideh, Ghader Anbari and Aslan Amoui Milan. All four prisoners were convicted of murder and sentenced to qesas (retribution in kind).

Source: Iran Human Rights, May 15, 2014

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