Thailand uses lethal injection to execute first prisoner in nearly a decade
Harriet Agerholm
According to reports, the country has executed 326 people since 1930
( AFP/Getty )
Thailand
Theerasak Longji, 26, was executed by lethal injection on Monday, six years after being convicted of aggravated murder for stabbing a 17-year-old 24 times in order to steal his mobile phone.
The brutal killing drew widespread anger in Thai society, and his conviction was upheld in the appeal and supreme courts.
The last executions to take place in Thailand were of two drug traffickers. They were put to death in August 2009, after a period of no executions since 2003, according to Amnesty International.
Theerasak was the seventh convict to be executed by injection since Thailand switched methods in 2003 from a firing squad. Thailand has executed 326 people since 1930, according to the country's Department of Corrections.
The department said Monday that Theerasak was executed to be an example to those who think of committing serious crimes.
Amnesty International said the execution was a major setback for the country.
The Thai prime minister already faced pressure over his human rights record on his forthcoming trip to Europe.
General Prayut has vowed to transform Thailand's government into a rights-respecting one and has scheduled general elections for 2015.
But, four years later, the promised polls have yet to take place and the junta continue to be criticised by human rights groups for enforcing censorship and blocking public discussions about the state of human rights and democracy.
independent.co.uk
Harriet Agerholm
According to reports, the country has executed 326 people since 1930
( AFP/Getty )
Thailand
Theerasak Longji, 26, was executed by lethal injection on Monday, six years after being convicted of aggravated murder for stabbing a 17-year-old 24 times in order to steal his mobile phone.
The brutal killing drew widespread anger in Thai society, and his conviction was upheld in the appeal and supreme courts.
The last executions to take place in Thailand were of two drug traffickers. They were put to death in August 2009, after a period of no executions since 2003, according to Amnesty International.
Theerasak was the seventh convict to be executed by injection since Thailand switched methods in 2003 from a firing squad. Thailand has executed 326 people since 1930, according to the country's Department of Corrections.
The department said Monday that Theerasak was executed to be an example to those who think of committing serious crimes.
Thailand is shockingly reneging on its own commitment to move towards abolition of the death penalty and the protection of the right to life
Katherine Gerson, Amnesty's Thailand campaignerAmnesty International said the execution was a major setback for the country.
The Thai prime minister already faced pressure over his human rights record on his forthcoming trip to Europe.
General Prayut has vowed to transform Thailand's government into a rights-respecting one and has scheduled general elections for 2015.
But, four years later, the promised polls have yet to take place and the junta continue to be criticised by human rights groups for enforcing censorship and blocking public discussions about the state of human rights and democracy.
independent.co.uk
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