[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

August 20


UZBEKISTAN:

Uzbek Prosecutors Drop Death Penalty Demand for 15 Terror Suspects


Uzbek prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty for 15 alleged
al-Qaida linked suspects who are on trial for bomb blasts that killed
almost 50 people earlier this year.

The state prosecutor asked a court in Tashkent not to issue the death
penalty because all defendants pleaded guilty and cooperated with
investigators. The prosecutor instead urged the court to give them prison
terms, ranging from nine to 20 years.

The string of bombings occurred last March and April in the western Uzbek
city of Bukhara and in the capital, Tashkent.

The trial was suspended temporarily last month when suicide bombers
carried out attacks at the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Tashkent, killing
7 people.

(source: Voice of America)