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Taiwan carries out first execution in two years
TAIPEI, Aug 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Taiwan executed a death-row inmate on
Friday, the first execution carried out under President Tsai Ing-wen’s
government and despite ongoing calls from rights groups to abolish the death
penalty.
Lee Hung-chi was executed at a jail in southern Kaohsiung city Friday
afternoon by firing squad, according to the justice ministry, for killing his
ex-wife and five-year-old daughter in 2014.
Lee stabbed his ex-wife to death outside the kindergarten their two
daughters attended and then took one of the girls to his car, where he
attempted to commit suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Lee survived after they were rescued but the girl died two months later
despite treatment.
“His actions were brutal and ruthless … and inflicted irrepairable harms
to the victims’ families,” deputy justice minister Chen Ming-tang told
reporters, adding that the court had ruled there was no likelihood of Lee
reforming.
Taiwan resumed capital punishment in 2010 after a five-year hiatus, with
the death penalty reserved for the most serious crimes such as aggravated
murder and kidnapping.
Some politicians and rights groups have called for its abolition, but
various opinion surveys show majority support for the death penalty.
Chen said the government was gradually decreasing its use, but would not
abolish it for now.
“Abolishing death sentence is an international trend and a long-term goal
for the justice ministry … but there is no consensus in our country,” Chen
said.
There are currently 42 prisoners on death row in Taiwan.
Lee’s execution was the first since a former college student was put to
death in May 2016 for killing four people in a random stabbing spree on a
subway that shocked the generally peaceful island.
In 2012 the murder of a young boy in a playground reignited debate over
the death penalty, after the suspect reportedly said he was anticipating free
board and lodging in jail and would get a life sentence at most even if he
were to kill two or three people.
BSS/AFP/RY/1658 hrs