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Chinese television broadcasts condemned men before execution Chinese television broadcasts condemned men before execution
(7 months later)
Chinese state television broadcast live images last Friday (1 March) of the last moments of four foreign drug traffickers who were about to be executed.Chinese state television broadcast live images last Friday (1 March) of the last moments of four foreign drug traffickers who were about to be executed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the cameras pulled away before the lethal injections were administered.According to the Los Angeles Times, the cameras pulled away before the lethal injections were administered.
However, the coverage was unprecedented and unleashed a storm of criticism and debate about the use of the death penalty.However, the coverage was unprecedented and unleashed a storm of criticism and debate about the use of the death penalty.
The paper reports that psychologists in China decried the coverage as distressing to children while lawyers complained that it violated a clause in the country's criminal code that forbids the parading of condemned people before execution.The paper reports that psychologists in China decried the coverage as distressing to children while lawyers complained that it violated a clause in the country's criminal code that forbids the parading of condemned people before execution.
The drug traffickers, who were responsible for killing 13 Chinese fishermen in 2011, were captured in Laos after an extensive manhunt. They had shot the men after tying them up and then dumped their bodies in a river. The gang leader was from Myanmar; two were Laotian and the third was Thai.The drug traffickers, who were responsible for killing 13 Chinese fishermen in 2011, were captured in Laos after an extensive manhunt. They had shot the men after tying them up and then dumped their bodies in a river. The gang leader was from Myanmar; two were Laotian and the third was Thai.
China executes about 4,000 people each year. Though public executions were once common, nowadays there is usually no more than a brief news report and video of the condemned before an execution.China executes about 4,000 people each year. Though public executions were once common, nowadays there is usually no more than a brief news report and video of the condemned before an execution.
The Los Angeles Times reports: "Although many Chinese were shocked by the live coverage, they applauded the death sentences as just retribution for a particularly violent crime."The Los Angeles Times reports: "Although many Chinese were shocked by the live coverage, they applauded the death sentences as just retribution for a particularly violent crime."
During the broadcast, which lasted for almost two hours, there was live coverage of the men being taken from their cells with their hands trussed behind their backs. A white-coated doctor was shown examining the men in preparation for their execution.During the broadcast, which lasted for almost two hours, there was live coverage of the men being taken from their cells with their hands trussed behind their backs. A white-coated doctor was shown examining the men in preparation for their execution.
At one point, the broadcast cut away to show a gala-style award ceremony for the investigators who had helped capture the gang.At one point, the broadcast cut away to show a gala-style award ceremony for the investigators who had helped capture the gang.
Source: LA TimesSource: LA Times
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