FEATURED POST

Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

Image
On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 

Norway blasts 'grotesque' hike in Iran public executions

Public hanging in Shiraz, Iran
April 16, 2011
OSLO, Apr 21, 2011 (AFP) - Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere on Thursday blasted a sharp hike in public executions in Iran and the high use of the death penalty in the country.

"The increased number of public executions using brutal methods such as suffocation by being hoisted up by a crane are particularly grotesque and not worthy of a modern society," Stoere said in a statement.

He added Norwegian research showed Iran had executed 15 people in public so far this year, compared to 19 for all of last year.

A foreign ministry spokesman told AFP the data was obtained through human rights activists in Iran as well as international organisations.

Stoere added Norwegian figures showed Iran had executed a total of 187 so far this year, while the total number in 2010 had been as high as 682 executions.

That toll is higher than an AFP count based on media reports that put at 101 the number of executions so far this year in Iran.

"Norway is by principle against the death penalty. It is particularly worrisome that the death penalty is used in a country where the rule of law is as weak as it is in Iran," the minister added.

Norway often uses strong language to condemn the death penalty in Iran and has frequently summons Tehran's diplomats in Oslo to protest executions.

Last year, it summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the highly publicised case of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, whose death sentence by stoning for adultery drew widespread international condemnation.

One of her lawyers also fled to Norway last year after Tehran issued an arrest warrant for him.


- Related video: "Iran, January 2011", January 2011

Source: AFP, January 21, 2011
_________________________
Use the tags below or the search engine at the top of this page to find updates, older or related articles on this Website.

Most Viewed (Last 7 Days)

Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

Utah requests execution of death row inmate

Alabama SC approves second nitrogen gas execution

Cuba Maintains Capital Punishment to "Deter and Intimidate"

Four More Prisoners Executed in Iran