[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 10



NORTH KOREA:

North Korea executes army chief of staff: South Korean media


North Korea has executed its army chief of staff, Ri Yong Gil, South Korea's 
Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday, which, if true, would be the latest 
in a series of executions, purges and disappearances under its young leader.

The news comes amid heightened tension surrounding isolated North Korea after 
its Sunday launch of a long-range rocket, which came about a month after it 
drew international condemnation for conducting its 4th nuclear test.

A source familiar with North Korean affairs also told Reuters that Ri had been 
executed. The source declined to be identified, given the sensitivity of the 
matter.

Ri, who was chief of the Korean People's Army (KPA) General Staff, was executed 
this month for corruption and factional conspiracy, Yonhap and other South 
Korean media reported.

Yonhap did not identify its sources. The source who told Reuters the news 
declined to comment on how the information about the execution had been 
obtained.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service declined to comment and it was not 
possible to independently verify the report.

The North rarely issues public announcement related to purges or executions of 
high-level officials.

A rare official confirmation of a high-profile execution came after Jang Song 
Thaek, leader Kim Jong Un's uncle and the man who was once considered the 2nd 
most powerful figure in the country, was executed for corruption in 2013.

In May last year, the North executed its defense chief by anti-aircraft gun at 
a firing range, the South's spy agency said in a report to members of 
parliament.

The North's military leadership has been in a state of perpetual reshuffle 
since Kim Jong Un took power after the death of his father in 2011. He has 
changed his armed forces chief several times since then.

Some other high-ranking officials in the North have been absent from public 
view for extended periods, fuelling speculation they may have been purged or 
removed, only to resurface.

(source: Reuters)






MALAYSIA:

Perak police nab 3 family members, seize drugs worth RM228,000


Perak police seized 4.57 kilogrammes (kg) of heroin, worth about RM228,859, 
following the arrest of a couple and their son in Taman Gopeng Baru, Gopeng 
last Friday.

Perak Narcotics Crime Department chief, ACP R. Ravi Chandran said police 
managed to seize the drugs after detaining a 58-year-old man who was in a 
Proton Waja that was parked in front of a house in the housing estate, on Feb 
5, at about 3.50pm.

"Police found 5 transparent plastic packages believed to be filled with heroin 
weighing about 4.53kg when the car was inspected. In a follow-up search at the 
suspect's house, police arrested his wife and 20-year-old son after finding 
plastic packages believed to contain heroin weighing 50.70grammes,??? he told 
reporters at the Perak police headquarters, here today.

Ravi said the 3 suspects were being remanded for 7 days beginning Saturday to 
assist investigations.

He said the drugs were believed to be for distribution around Gopeng, Kampar 
and Ipoh and was sufficient to supply some 3,500 drug users.

Ravi said the family head who was detained worked as a farmer and had 6 
previous criminal records, while his wife and son had no previous criminal 
records.

"We are also investigating when the family started trafficking drugs actively. 
The farmer also tested positive for methamphetamine," he said while thanking 
the public for the tip-off.

The case would be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 
1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty if convicted.

(source: themalaymailonline.com)