[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Jan. 26



SAUDI ARABIA----execution

1st beheading in Saudi Arabia under King Salman



A teacher convicted of sex crimes in Saudi Arabia was publicly beheaded on 
Monday in the port city of Jeddah, according to official media.

"Mousa bin Saeed Ali al-Zahrani lured several underage girls and kidnapped 
them. He also threatened them and their relatives and physically assaulted them 
in his home," the Saudi Press Agency said, citing the interior ministry.

"He raped them, detained them, forced them to drink alcohol, and forced some to 
watch pornographic material."

The family of Zahrani, however, have pleaded in his innocence and said the 
teacher was convicted in a "sham trial". Relatives complained to the late King 
Abdullah about the case and gained a stay of execution and a promise to re-open 
the investigation.

But on 23 January, the day Abdullah died, the family said they were notified by 
police insiders that an order had been reissued for an expedited beheading to 
take place on Monday.

Zahrani, who was married with 6 children, posted a video in April 2014 
declaring his innocence and asking for a review of the verdict.

"I plead my innocence and swear to God that neither my religion nor my 
education, knowledge, age, fatherhood or upbringing allow me to even think of 
committing such an act, which can only come from ribald and mentally ill 
people," he said.

"I strongly deny all that I am accused of. It is all unjust fabrication of the 
truth. The accusations I am being subjected to are not acceptable in our 
religion. They are malicious and have been magnified and manipulated."

Friends of the family, who asked to remain anonymous, said the police 
investigator who arrested Zahrani was a relative of one his alleged victims and 
demonstrated an "obvious conflict of interest".

The kingdom has faced constant international criticism over its human rights 
record, including the use of the death penalty.

The latest beheading brings a total of 16 people executed in 2015 by Saudi 
authorities. In 2014, 87 people were executed, with 72 taking place between 
August and December.

An independent expert working on behalf of the United Nations called in 
September for an immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia. But the 
interior ministry insists that the execution of convicts aims "to maintain 
security and realise justice".

Rape, murder, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death in 
the kingdom.

(source: Middle East Eye)








IRAN----executions

2 Prisoners Executed For Drug ---- At least 12 people have been executed for 
drug-related charges in Iran today.



2 prisoners were hanged in the prison of Arak (Central Iran) early Sunday 
morning 25. January. According to the official website of Iranian Judiciary in 
Markazi Province, both the prisoners were executed for drug related charges. 
The prisoners were identified as "Milad Z" charged with possession and 
trafficking of 2950 grams of heroin, and "Alireza A" for possession and 
trafficking 2950 grams of heroin, said the report.

(source: Iran Human Righs)