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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.

Saudi Arabia: convicted killer saved from imminent execution after family pays "blood money"

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Public execution in KSA
Public execution in KSA
A Saudi court annulled the death sentence and ordered the release of a 21-year-old convicted local killer just a few days before he was to be executed after his family managed to pay SR30 million (Dh30 million) diya (blood money) to the victim’s relatives.

The court in the northwestern Saudi town of Hail had given the relatives of Yasser Al Shammari a few weeks to pay the diya (blood money) after the victim’s relatives demanded that sum in exchange for pardoning Shammari in line with Islamic law.

‘Ajel’ newspaper said a campaign launched by Shammari’s tribe through local social networks resulted in raising the funds just days before he was to be beheaded.

Shammari was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of killing Zaid Saudi from another Saudi tribe during a fight a few years ago.

Source: Emirates 24/7, May 5, 2014
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After acquittal of ex-death row inmate, debate needed on Japan's death penalty

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