Bahrain hands down its first death sentences for hashish trafficking
On 31 December 2018 the First High Criminal Court sentenced two of seven defendants to death for possessing, cultivating, smuggling and dealing in drugs; more than 18.5 kg of hashish was involved, and each was fined BHD10,000. It was the first time Bahraini courts imposed death for a non-lethal drug offence.
🇧🇭 Bahrain
On 31 December 2018 the First High Criminal Court sentenced two of seven defendants to death for possessing, cultivating, smuggling and dealing in drugs; more than 18.5 kg of hashish was involved, and each was fined BHD10,000. It was the first time Bahraini courts imposed death for a non-lethal drug offence. Human Rights Watch counted at least five hashish-related death sentences passed or upheld between 2018 and 2020, with three drug offenders on death row in 2021.[1][2][3]
Sources
- 'The Court is Satisfied with the Confession': Bahrain Death Sentences Follow Torture, Sham Trials. Human Rights Watch. Capital Cases Involving Drug Offenses; 31 December 2018; over 18.5 kg of hashish; five hashish death sentences 2018–2020.
- Bahrain: Court hands down death sentences to duo convicted of selling narcotics. Hands Off Cain. 31 December 2018; first and second defendants sentenced to death for possession, planting, smuggling and dealing.
- From uprising to executions. Reprieve and Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy. 12% (3 of 26) of those facing imminent execution were sentenced for non-lethal drug offences.