Crimes punishable by death in Qatar
Although executions are “rare” in Qatar, and there aren’t many reports of executions in recent times; the most recent execution was by firing squad in the year 2003. Moreover, Qatar has also codified its criminal law and procedure, ratified human rights treaties in recent decades. However, there still are crimes that are punishable by death in Qatar. Here is a list of crimes that invite the death penalty according to the Penal Code of Qatar:
Aggravated Murder.
Parricide, murder by poisoning, explosion, murder of a public employee or murder aggravated by another offense carries the death penalty.
Murder.
Premeditated murder, which might be defined as murder in the absence of immediate provocation, carries the death penalty.
Offenses Resulting in Death.
Intentional killing is punishable by death. Hirabah (highway robbery or violent robbery) resulting in death may carry the death penalty when the offender or victim is a Muslim. Arson resulting in death is punishable by death. Torture to obtain forced confessions or self-incrimination, resulting in death, is punishable by death. Kidnapping resulting in death is punishable by death. Bearing false witness or testimony carries the death penalty when resulting in execution of an innocent person.
Terrorism-Related Offenses Resulting in Death.
Sinking or damaging a maritime vessel, theft of merchandise aboard a plane or ship (perhaps piracy), dumping in, infecting, or otherwise spoiling water resources, or purposely committing an act that could lead to spread of infection or an epidemic carries the death penalty when resulting in death. Causing the death of a person in conjunction with an act with “terrorist purposes” carries the death penalty.
Terrorism-Related Offenses Not Resulting in Death.
Bearing arms for a “terrorist purposes” carries the death penalty. Establishing an organization or using an organization to commit terrorist acts is punishable by death. Receiving paramilitary training to commit a terrorist act against the State is punishable by death.
Rape Not Resulting in Death.
Rape of a male or female is punishable by death: rape by a relative, guardian, caretaker or servant of the victim carries the death penalty. Rape is presumed if the victim is known to the offender to be mentally unstable who is unable to give consent. Statutory rape of a victim the offender knows is under the age of 16 carries the death penalty if the offender is the victim’s relative, guardian, caretaker or servant.
Drug Trafficking Resulting in Death
Killing a public official in who is trying to enforce the narcotics laws carries the death penalty.
Drug Trafficking Not Resulting in Death.
Repeat offenders involved in drug trafficking-related offenses are punishable by death.
Economic Crimes Not Resulting in Death.
Extortion by threat of accusation of a crime of honor such as adultery or fornication is punishable by death.
Treason.
Treason against the external security of the state, such as bearing arms against the state, performing acts to undermine the independence or territorial integrity of the state, assisting in the hostile acts of a foreign state, interfering with the defense, or giving information to an enemy, carries the death penalty. Working for a foreign country, if harm to the state occurs, is punishable by death. Treason against the internal security of the state, such as insurrection or attempts on the person of the Emir or vice-Emir, carry the death penalty. Attacks on the leader of a foreign nation are considered crimes against state security, and are punishable by death.
Espionage.
Espionage for benefit of an enemy carries the death penalty. Any espionage damaging to the state is punishable by death.
However, under the provisions of Article 92 of the Penal Code, a court may [if it deems it fit] reduce a capital sentence to as little as five years imprisonment if the circumstances of the crime appeal for mercy. On the other hand, Article 1 of the Penal Code provides that for Hadd and Qisaas offenses, Islamic Shari’a applies if the suspect or victim is a Muslim. Consequently, adultery and hirabah (highway robbery) resulting in death carry the mandatory death penalty as hadd, and murder is punished by death unless the victim’s family pardons the offender, either for blood money or as an act of forgiveness.
Offenders excluded from the purview of death penalty
Individuals who are below the age of 18 at the time of crime, pregnant women, women with small children, mentally challenged and mentally ill people and elderly people are excluded from the purview of death penalty according to Qatar’s Penal Code.
Share: Someone You Know Needs to Hear This
Credit: Qatar Day
URL:http://www.qatarday.com/blog/information/crimes-punishable-by-death-in-qatar/16260?pg=2