[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 25




EGYPT:

Egyptian court gives death penalty to 7 for killing Christians



A court in Egypt today gave the death penalty to 7 people and sent 10 more to 
life in prison for beheading 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya and for joining a 
terrorist organisation affiliated to the Islamic State.

The Cairo Criminal Court also sent 3 others to 15 years in prison in the same 
case.

The court found that the convicts had joined the "Marsa Matrouh cell", which is 
affiliated to IS in Libya.

They were also found guilty of joining training camps in Libya and Syria, 
planning terrorist attacks in Egypt, possessing weapons, inciting violence and 
participating in killing of 21 Christians in Libya in 2015.

The court ordered that all convicts, except those sentenced to death, remain 
under police surveillance for 5 years after serving their sentences, local 
media reports said.

The sentencing came a day after the deadliest terrorist attack on worshippers 
at a mosque in Egypts restive North Sinai region. The death toll in the attack 
today rose to 305.

The Egyptian security forces, meanwhile, have continued their air strikes 
against terrorists involved in the attack.

Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai said in a statement that the Air Force 
destroyed a number of terrorists hideouts and the Army was conducting raids to 
eliminate terrorists.

(source: intoday.in)








BELARUS:

Belarus president refuses to overrule nation's decision on capital punishment



People voted in the death penalty referendum, and I have no right to overrule 
this decision, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said while talking to the 
media, BelTA has learned.

The head of state noted that Europeans often ask the Belarusian authorities to 
suspend, prohibit the death penalty. "I can not overrule the decision taken by 
the people," Alexander Lukashenko underlined.

"Should we want to do so, then we must hold a referendum," the president said. 
"If we take this issue to a referendum, I don't need to tell you what the 
result will be. You know it yourselves," the Belarusian leader said. When 
meeting with the German foreign minister I said to him that if Germany takes 
this issue to a referendum at a time when Europe and many countries are exposed 
to terrorist attacks you know, what the outcome will be. People see that death 
penalty may be a strong disincentive for some 'hot heads'. So I tell him that 
maybe Europeans will soon turn to our experience," he said.

"With regard to death penalty, I asked him a question: you are big friends with 
some countries in the Middle East and other regions, the United States. Why do 
not you ask them the things that you want from Belarus? He would not answer. 
Therefore, I think we will come to an agreement in this regard," the president 
said.

The head of state also noted that there are a lot of issues related to security 
in the world and in the region. Belarus is playing a big role and can play an 
even bigger one. "Today Belarus is a quiet, orderly, dignified country, a kind 
of donor of security on the European continent and its status is raising in 
Europe," the head of state believes. "We see, we hear, we appreciate it and we 
will always go halfway to accommodate the interests of the European states if 
we are not made to choose (as it was before, not anymore) between Russia or 
Europe," he said.

The president said that "Russians are our brothers". "Are they good or bad? You 
do not choose brothers. They may not like us in some things either. But we are 
kindred people. Therefore, there is no asking us the question who you are with. 
We will be friends with Europe, we will be working with Europe, but Russia is 
dear and very important to us," the head of state noted.

(source: belta.by)

******************

PACE discusses abolition of the death penalty in Belarus



Andrea Rigoni, a special rapporteur on Belarus of the Parliamentary Assembly of 
the Council of Europe, is on an official visit to Minsk to discuss the 
perspective regarding abolition of the death penalty. Negotiations with the 
Belarusian MPs are taking place against the backdrop of the Eastern Partnership 
Summit, which kicked off Friday in Brussels, and where Belarus is represented 
by its Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei.

Rigoni, who was invited to the capital of Belarus by the government, is 
expected to participate in parliamentary discussions on the problems of 
applying capital punishment in the national legislation. Yesterday, after the 
meeting with the Vice-President of the Belarusian National Council 
(Parliament), the rapporteur said that the PACE "wants not only a closer 
approach from Belarus towards the values of the Council of Europe but also 
wants the republic to join the organisation".

"Currently relations between Belarus and the Council of Europe are very 
positive. This is also confirmed by the fact that we are presently organising 
joint events. Belarus is present in the Council of Europe and our 
representatives come to your country, too," Rigoni said. He also stressed that 
the Council of Europe is not concerned with the economic issues, but is 
interested in promotion of democracy and human rights.

In 1993, Belarus was given special guest status and applied for membership of 
the Council of Europe. Though, after the referendum in 1997, which lifted the 
moratorium on the death penalty, that status was revoked. At present, Belarus 
remains the only country in greater Europe that is not a member of the 
organisation.

(source: neweurope.eu)