Russia is considering whether to end its moratorium on the death penalty. The country’s constitutional court has been hearing arguments on the issue and is expected to give its decision at its next meeting, though the date has not been given.

The decision to suspend capital punishment was introduced in 1999 after Russia signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights. Many Russians remain in favour of the death penalty, particularly for crimes like the Beslan massacre over which one man has been convicted. The moratorium was in effect when Nourpachi Kouliaev was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the school attack in 2004.More about: Death penalty, Russia

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