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Biden Has 65 Days Left in Office. Here’s What He Can Do on Criminal Justice.

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Judicial appointments and the death penalty are among areas where a lame-duck administration can still leave a mark. Donald Trump’s second presidential term will begin on Jan. 20, bringing with it promises to dramatically reshape many aspects of the criminal justice system. The U.S. Senate — with its authority over confirming judicial nominees — will also shift from Democratic to Republican control.
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Qatar commutes India ex-navy officers' death penalty

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India's foreign ministry had expressed shock after a court in Qatar sentenced them to death.

A court in Qatar has commuted the death sentences of eight former Indian naval officers, India's foreign ministry has said.

"The sentences have been reduced," a ministry statement said on Thursday.

"Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," it added.

Neither Qatar nor India have revealed the specific charges against the men.

But media reports have said that the men, who have been described as employees of a private company in Qatar, were charged with spying.

In October, India's foreign ministry had said it was "deeply shocked" after the men were sentenced to death. It added that it would explore all legal options and later filed an appeal against the court verdict.

Their arrest in August last year made front-page headlines in India, but there has been little confirmed information about the charges against them.

On Thursday, the ministry said India's ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal along with the family members of the men.

Source: BBC News, Staff, December 28, 2023


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