[Deathpenalty]death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

August 6


VIETNAM----executions

Criminals executed


In Hanoi, 5 men were executed by firing squad in Ho Chi Minh City for drug
trafficking and murder yesterday.

30 police took part in the execution: 5 teams of 5 marksmen with rifles
and 5 supervisors, who gave each of the prisoners a "coup de grace" shot
to the head with a handgun.

Vietnam has executed at least 20 people this year. More than 70 % of the
death penalties have been for narcotics. (source: Herald Sun)





SAUDI ARABIA:

Saudi Arabia agrees to reconsider death penalty for Sri Lankans


Saudi Arabian authorities have agreed to reconsider the death penalty
imposed on 3 Sri Lankan workers who were convicted of armed robbery in
Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala said the Sri Lankan Embassy
in Saudi Arabia had successfully pleaded with the authorities for a
re-look at the case.

These developments came following the visit of Prime Minister Mahinda
Rajapaksa to Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral of the late King Fahd.

4 Sri Lankans were found guilty of armed robbery by a Saudi court and 3 of
them were sentenced to death while the 4th was sentenced to 15 years of
imprisonment in October 2004.

(source: Sri Lankan Daily News)