Countries That Impose Death Penalty for Corruption

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There is a never-ending debate over the death penalty in Indonesia, especially when it comes to its use for crimes involving corruption. According to Amnesty International, the death sentence claimed thousands of lives worldwide, with over 1,600 people executed in 2015, excluding China. The figure was 54% higher than in 2014.

As reported by Rappler citing the Death Penalty Database of the Cornell Center on Death Penalty Worldwide, here is a list of ten countries using the death penalty for corruption and other bribery cases:

China

China, along with Iran and Pakistan, is among the top three nations that have carried out executions as of 2015. However, the fact that these are carried out in secret makes it challenging to tally the deaths.

People who commit economic and political crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking, or diverting state-controlled drugs for illegal sale are all subject to execution. In 2011, the government executed the former vice mayor of Hangzhou City Xu Maiyong, and the vice mayor of Suzhou City Jiang Renjie for taking US$50 million in bribes.

North Korea

Similar to China, North Korea is extremely secretive about its executions. This secrecy has reportedly increased since Kim Jong-un took over the country's leadership. International media tend to rely on South Korean sources. 

The most controversial execution to date was that of Kim Jong Un's uncle, Chang Song-thaek, in 2013. The senior ruling party official and vice chairman of the National Defense Commission was executed on corruption charges.

Iraq

The most notorious execution in Iraqi history took place in 2010 and involved Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as Chemical Ali. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity, including the 1988 poison gas attack in Kurdish.

Iran

Offenses such as counterfeiting, smuggling, speculating, or disrupting production by officials are punishable by death in Iran. However, there are no public reports of executions of officials due to the country's strict secrecy policy.

According to Iran Human Rights, thousands of people have been executed in Iran since Hassan Rouhani became president in 2013.

Thailand

Thailand imposes the death sentence for public officials, democratic representatives, judges, and prosecutors who solicit or receive bribes; nevertheless, it doesn't seem that any executions have been carried out for this offense.

In July 2015, lawmakers amended the Anti-Corruption Act to extend the death penalty for bribery to foreign officials and officials of international organizations.

Laos

Laos imposes the death penalty on its citizens, including public officials, who intentionally harm the state's economy by disrupting trade, agriculture, or other economic activities.

Vietnam 

In Vietnam, embezzlement carries a death sentence, unless the sum embezzled exceeds 500 million dong or the effects are particularly serious. Bribery involving at least 300 million dong is also punishable. 

The same consequences might befall officials who engage in illegal cross-border trade in high-value items and in "severe" cases of, among other things, producing, holding, shipping, or dealing in counterfeit cash.

Myanmar

In Myanmar, using a public official's position of authority or influence to commit drug charges carries a death sentence.

Morocco

In Morocco, bribery is punishable by death. However, records indicate that Morocco last carried out an execution in 1993, which involved a top police commissioner for multiple counts of indecent assault, violent rape, rape and kidnapping, and acts and incitement to riot.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, some acts of corruption that significantly harm the country's economy are punishable by death. Executions resumed in 2023 which ended a 5-year moratorium on the death penalty since 2008. According to Amnesty International, at least 130 people were on death row in the archipelago in 2012.

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) stresses its opposition to the death penalty for corruption or other crimes because human rights are absolute.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

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