August 2
IRAQ:
Courts issue numerous death sentences; President has yet to approve
Iraqi courts have sentences many convicted criminals to death but none has
been executed so far.
The death penalty, which the U.S. had suspended shortly after its
invasion, was reintroduced as a measure to stem the tide of rising crime
and violence.
Madhat al-Mahmoud, the head of the Judicial Council, or the countrys
highest court, said several death sentences had been issued but they
cannot be carried out without President Jalal Talabanis approval.
Talabani is reported to against the death penalty and has publicly said
that he would suspend such a sentence even it was taken by the tribunal
currently trying former leader Saddam Hussein.
Mahmoud did not say how many death sentences Iraqi courts have passed
since the death penalty was revived nearly 18 months ago.
Mahmoud made the remarks following reports that Iraqi courts were
reluctant to pass the death penalty.
"The court of appeal and the court of cassation have issued such sentences
and they have been approved by the cabinet. But to be implemented they
will need to be signed by the president," he said.
Talabani had met Mahmoud to review conditions at Iraqi jails and the long
periods Iraqi inmates spend in both U.S. and Iraqi jails without trial.
Mahmoud did not say whether Talabani had told him he would sign any of the
death sentences Iraqi courts have issued recently.
He said the meeting with the president instructed the courts to finish the
backlog of cases they are dealing with and set free all the detainees not
found guilty immediately.
He said in response to Talabanis instructions, Iraqi judges will visit
jails to inspect conditions and order the release of those detained
without proof.
Iraqi courts have still to extend their jurisdiction over jails run by
U.S. occupation troops.
Iraqi sources say at least 15,000 Iraqis languish in jails run by foreing
troops in the county and Mahmoud said the Judicial Council ha asked "the
multi-national troops to deliver comprehensive lists of the detainees and
prisoners in their custody and the type of charges leveled against them."
(source: Azzaman.com)
INDONESIA:
Lawmaker supports death penalty
A legislator threw his weight on Monday behind an idea to impose the death
penalty for corruption convicts, saying the crime was as extraordinary as
acts of terrorism.
Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Zaenal Ma'arif said the death
sentence would be effective to deter people from committing embezzlement,
which has been rampant in the country.
Under the prevailing anticorruption law, a convict faces a maximum life
sentence, which Zaenal said had failed to stop corruption.
"Even a defendant who is found guilty of stealing Rp 10 billion in state
money deserves the death penalty. We are not talking about the amount of
state losses, but an effective deterrent," Zaenal said on the sidelines of
a congress organized by Reform Star Party members who challenge the
leadership of chairman Zainuddin MZ.
On Sunday, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid called
for the death sentence for convicted state money thieves.
(source: Jakarta Post)
