[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Jan. 29


QATAR:

Appeal court upholds death penalty verdict


A Doha appeal court has upheld the death penalty against a man, who was
convicted by a first instance court for "premeditated murder," legal
sources said.

The lower court convicted the 48-year-old Qatari national on June 6, 2006,
and sentenced him to death after the sons of the victim refused to accept
blood money as compensation.

According to the charge sheet, the accused murdered his compatriot
colleague following a row on September 20, 2005.

"The accused rammed the victim with his car after a drunken brawl over a
Bahraini woman who was present in a party at a house, the prosecution
said.

The 1st instance judge pronounced the verdict soon after the family of the
deceased refused to commute the punishment.

The lawyer of the defendant argued that the witnesses were all drunk at
the time of the incident and hence their testimonies could not be
believed. But the court rejected his argument.

Following the confirmation of the verdict, the case would automatically be
referred to the Supreme Court of Justice (Cassation Court), the highest
judicial authority in the country.

(source: The Gulf Times)