Indonesia Gets Reprieve for 9 Death Row Inmates in Saudi Arabia

The Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has said it has managed to save nine of the 15 Indonesians on death row in the conservative Islamic state.

“Out of the 15 cases of Indonesians threatened with the death penalty, nine of them have been saved by the Indonesian embassy in Riyadh in 2011,” state news agency Antara quoted an embassy statement it received from Riyadh on Thursday as saying.

The statement said the trial process for the other 6 were not yet over and that the embassy was offering continuous assistance, including providing translators and lawyers.

It said that some of the nine who were granted reprieves have since been returned home. They included Darsem binti Daud Tawar, who was accused of killing her employer’s son, who has since obtained a pardon from the family and returned to Indonesia in July.

Bayanah binti Banhawi, who was found guilty of killing her employer’s 4-year-old infant, had her death sentence commuted to jail for negligence leading to loss of life. She has since been freed and returned to Indonesia in December. Neneng Sunengsih binti Mamih, who was also found guilty of killing her employer’s baby, was later acquitted and freed.

Neneng is still at the embassy building in Riyadh, awaiting her return to Indonesia later this month.

Darmanti Kusandi binti Harjum Karim and Junaesih Oman Diyar, both of whom are on death row for alleged use of black magic, had their death sentences later commuted to a jail sentence.

Sumartini binti Manaungi Galisung and Warnah Binti Warta Niing also were sentenced to death for use of black magic, sentences that were later commuted to jail terms.

2 other Indonesian domestic workers, Milan Nuryani and Yumanaha binti Nagabiyu, were sentenced to death by stoning for adultery but had their punishments changed to jail terms.

The embassy release said that to provide legal assistance to Indonesian citizens in trouble with the law in Saudi Arabia, the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah worked together with local lawyers.

On Dec. 13, the embassy signed a contract with a local attorney, Abdullah Abdurrahman Al Muhaemeed, while the consulate general in Jeddah is expected to enter a similar contract soon with local lawyer Khuddran bin Mufsir Al Zahrani.

The embassy said that it was also regularly publishing the Warta Indonesia, or Indonesia News, magazine to help spread information among its citizens living and working in Saudi Arabia about the legal risks they could face if they engaged in crime or violations of the law in that country.

“Warta Indonesia magazine always provides legal guidance for all Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia, regarding what awaits murder cases, drug offenses, black magic and adultery cases and other criminal offenses,” the statement read.

Source: The Jakarta Globe, January 5, 2012

Dozens of migrant workers avoid death row, govt claims

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised the Migrant Workers Protection task force for helping dozens of Indonesians working abroad to avoid death penalties.

“This achievement is very important. It helps us evaluate our policies concerning migrant workers and provide better protection to our workers in the future,” he said during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

According to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, at least 67 Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, China and Iran, who earlier faced death penalties, ultimately managed to walk free.

“In Saudi Arabia, 37 Indonesian workers managed to avoid beheading. 8 of them were declared innocent. Four of the eight workers acquitted have returned to Indonesia,” he said.

As many as 14 workers in Malaysia, according to Djoko, had also been acquitted in death penalty cases. “6 of them were declared innocent while the remaining 8 people were sent to jail.”

11 Indonesian workers in China and 2 in Iran also ducked the death penalty, he added.

“Our policy to hire lawyers in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia has proven beneficial in terms of providing legal assistance to our workers who faced legal proceedings,” he said.

Yudhoyono claimed his efforts to improve communications with leaders of the countries where Indonesian workers were employed had also helped them receive lighter sentences.

Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, meanwhile, said the government had decided to maintain its current ban on recruitment agencies sending Indonesian workers to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Kuwait.

“Those countries have not adopted a legal framework that we think is sufficient to legally protect our workers and assure that their rights are fulfilled,” Muhaimin said.

Malaysia was no longer on the list since its government has approved Indonesia’s requests to provide better protection for migrant workers.

“Malaysia has agreed to oblige employers to provide one day off per week for domestic workers, let Indonesian workers keep their passports and pay salaries through bank transfers,” Muhaimin added.

He called on all labor recruitment agencies across the nation to obey the ban. “Because, if you insist on sending workers to those nations, the workers would become illegal workers, meaning they would be more prone to legal problems.”

Task force chairman Maftuh Basyuni said there were two Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia — Tuti Tursilawati from Majalengka, West Java, and Siti Zaenab from Madura, East Java — whose cases were of critical concern because they have not yet avoided the possibility of beheading.

Under Saudi law, forgiveness from a relative of the victim can save a convict from a death sentence.

Source: Jakarta Post, January 5, 2012

Comments

Maldives | Death penalty law for drug trafficking now in effect

MALÉ, Maldives (DPN) — The Maldives has officially brought into force an amendment to its Narcotics Act that introduces the death penalty for large-scale drug trafficking, marking a significant and controversial shift in the island nation’s criminal justice policy. The amended law, which took effect Saturday, March 7, 2026, allows for capital punishment in cases involving the smuggling and importation of specific quantities of illicit substances. The move fulfills a key pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration to crack down on the country’s growing narcotics crisis and protect what he has termed the nation’s “100 percent Islamic society.” Thresholds for Capital Punishment Under the new provisions, the death penalty is not a mandatory sentence but an available option for the judiciary when specific criteria are met. The law establishes clear weight thresholds for substances brought into the country: Cannabis: More than 350 grams. Diamorphine (Heroin): More than 250 grams....

Prosecutors seek death penalty in 2 Georgia cases

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in two separate Georgia criminal cases. One involves the killing of a Gwinnett County police officer and another is over the death of a 4-year-old girl in Hall County . Kevin Andrews is charged in the death of 25-year-old Gwinnett County Police Officer Pradeep Tamang, who was shot and killed while investigating a credit card fraud case. Authorities said Andrews had an outstanding warrant and shot at officers without warning. Another officer, David Reed, was seriously injured.

Alabama | Gov. Ivey commutes Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Gov. Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Charles “Sonny” Burton, who was set to be executed Thursday. The governor’s office released the following statement: “Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced that she has commuted the death sentence of Charles L. Burton to life in prison with no chance of parole. Mr. Burton was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1991 capital murder of Doug Battle in Talladega, Alabama. As required by law, the governor first reached out to a representative of Mr. Battle’s family. She also notified the attorney general. Governor Ivey’s letter to Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm is attached.

Supreme Court Denies Alabama Appeal, Allowing New Trial in Death Row Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for a new trial for one of Alabama’s longest-serving people on death row after declining to review a lower court ruling that prosecutors violated his constitutional rights by intentionally rejecting Black jurors. According to an article written by the Associated Press, one of the longest-serving death row inmates in Alabama might receive a new trial after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state’s appeal of a lower court’s ruling that prosecutors had violated his rights by intentionally rejecting Black jurors. According to the article, on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision paved the way for Michael Sockwell, the 63-year-old death row inmate, to receive a new trial.

Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year

Cedric Ricks is set to be killed on March 11 Cedric Ricks spoke in his own defense at his 2013 murder trial, something most defendants accused of a terrible crime do not do. Ricks confessed that he had killed his girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son. He admitted he was aggressive and had trouble controlling his anger, stating that he was “sorry about everything.” The Tarrant County jury was unmoved. Ricks has spent the last 13 years on death row and is scheduled to be executed on March 11.

Florida | Governor DeSantis signs death warrant in 2008 murder case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Michael L. King, setting an execution date of March 17, 2026, at 6 p.m. King was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2008 kidnapping, sexual battery and murder of Denise Amber Lee, a 21-year-old North Port mother. On January 17, 2008, Michael Lee King abducted 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee from her North Port home by forcing her into his green Chevrolet Camaro. He drove her around while she was bound, including to his cousin's house to borrow tools like a shovel. King took her to his home, where he sexually battered her, then placed her in the backseat of his car. Later that evening, he drove to a remote area, shot her in the face, and buried her nude body in a shallow grave. Her remains were discovered two days later. During the crime, multiple 9-1-1 calls were made, but communication breakdowns between emergency dispatch centers delayed the response. The case drew national attention and prompted w...

Florida executes Billy Kearse

Florida executes man who killed Fort Pierce police officer during 1991 traffic stop Moments before receiving a lethal injection, Billy Kearse asked for forgiveness from the family of Danny Parrish, whose widow said she found peace after a "long, long 35 years.” A man convicted of fatally shooting a police officer with his own service weapon during a traffic stop was executed Tuesday evening, becoming the third person put to death by Florida this year after a record 19 executions in 2025.

Chinese courts conclude trials of 2 criminal gangs from northern Myanmar, 16 sentenced to death

Chinese courts have concluded the trials of 2 major criminal groups based in northern Myanmar involved in telecom and online fraud, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said Thursday. At a press conference held by the SPC, it was revealed that by the end of 2025, courts across the country had concluded first-instance trials of over 27,000 cases related to telecom fraud operations in northern Myanmar, with more than 41,000 returned suspects sentenced. Notably, among the trials of the so-called "4 major families" criminal gangs -- which had drawn widespread domestic and international attention -- those of the Ming and Bai groups have completed all judicial proceedings.

Texas executes Cedric Ricks

A Texas man was put to death Wednesday evening for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in 2013, apologizing profusely to her older son who survived with multiple stab wounds and witnessed the execution. Cedric Ricks, 51, was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. CDT following a lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. He was condemned for the May 2013 killings of 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez and her son Anthony Figueroa at their apartment in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Bedford. Sanchez’s 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.

Missouri Man Said DNA Test Could Prove Innocence. He Was Executed Before a Court Ruled.

Lance Shockley died by lethal injection last year. State courts have rejected prisoners’ requests for DNA testing in recent years. Lance Shockley, a man on death row in Missouri, wanted items from the crime scene to undergo DNA testing to potentially prove his innocence. The court scheduled proceedings on his request — but the date set was for two days after his execution. Patty Prewitt can’t have her DNA tested — and fully clear her name — because her sentence was commuted and she is no longer in prison. And others, including Lamar McVay, who is serving 30 years for a robbery, can’t even get an answer from the state on his DNA testing request. He's still awaiting a ruling on a motion he filed in September 2022.

Death Penalty News

Search This Blog