Global executions in 2022 at highest rate for five years, Amnesty International says

 The number of executions recorded globally in 2022 was the highest in five years, as several Middle Eastern states ramped up their use of the death penalty, Amnesty International said.

A total of 883 people are known to have been put to death across 20 countries, marking a rise of 53% compared to 2021, according to the group's annual review. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt alone carried out 90% of those executions. The figures exclude China, which is thought to execute thousands each year.

Iran issues more death sentences over Amini protests

 

Tuesday's latest death sentence was against Javad Rouhi, a man described by the judiciary website as a "leader of rioters," which is how Iran describes its protesters. He was faced with a long list of charges, including "corruption on earth."

Iran sentences 3 more to death in connection with protests

 

Iran said on Monday that it had sentenced three more people to death over charges of allegedly killing security forces during protests which have gripped the country for some four months. The Islamic republic has condemned 17 people to death since nationwide protests broke out in September last year, after the death of 22-year-old Gina Mahsa Amini while in moral police custody. Four of those have already been executed, including two last weekend.

Iranian teenagers in 'imminant danger' of execution

 

A rights organization has raised concerns about the fate of two Iranian teenagers on death row. The NGO Iran Human Rights told DW News they could be executed at any time after the Iranian Supreme Court dimsissed their appeals.

New executions in Iran: Are they deterring protesters?

Iran has executed two men involved in anti-government protests. State media said the two were hanged in the early morning. It said they had been convicted of killing a security official.

Countries WIth The Most Executions In 2015

In Iran, emerging from isolation after the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, at least 977 people were executed in 2015, up 31% from the 2014 figure of at least 743. The vast majority were for drug-related offences. Iran is one of the last executioners of child offenders, in violation of international law. Last year it executed at least four people who were under 18 at the time of their crime.

Pakistan continued an “alarming” killing spree it embarked on when it lifted a moratorium on civilian executions in December 2014. More than 320 people were sent to the gallows in 2015, the highest number Amnesty has ever recorded for Pakistan. At least five were reportedly child offenders.

In Saudi Arabia, executions rose by 76% on 2014’s figures, with at least 158 people executed last year – the highest number since 1995. Most were beheaded, but firing squads were also used and bodies were sometimes displayed in public. The Saudis used the death penalty disproportionate