Serial killer Steve Wright, known as the 'Suffolk Strangler,' has pleaded guilty to the 1999 murder and kidnapping of 17-year-old Victoria Hall. The plea, entered at the Old Bailey in London, closes a nearly 27-year-old cold case. Wright is already serving a whole-life sentence for five other murders committed in 2006.
A federal judge has ruled that prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, accused in the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The decision stems from a technical flaw in federal murder charges, though Mangione still faces federal stalking charges and state murder charges.
Iranian authorities face accusations of a 'campaign of revenge' against medical professionals. Reports indicate doctors are being arrested, with at least one surgeon facing a potential death penalty, for providing aid to injured anti-government protesters. International bodies, including the US State Department and WHO, have condemned these actions, highlighting violations of medical ethics and human rights.
Nigerian military authorities have confirmed that several officers arrested in October 2025 will face trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government. The announcement follows an investigation into what was initially described as 'indiscipline,' marking an official acknowledgment of a coup attempt previously denied.
Iran's judiciary announced the execution of Hamidreza Sabet Esmailipour on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He was convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel's Mossad, including transferring classified documents and providing logistical support for alleged sabotage operations. Esmailipour was arrested on April 29, 2025, and his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Iran's National Police Chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, has issued a three-day ultimatum to individuals involved in recent anti-government protests, urging them to surrender or face severe legal consequences. The move comes amidst a violent crackdown on demonstrations sparked by economic hardship and calls for political change.
Iran's National Police Chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, has issued a three-day ultimatum to individuals involved in recent protests, urging them to surrender for leniency. Those who fail to comply face severe legal consequences, as authorities continue a crackdown on demonstrations sparked by economic hardship.
A 23-year-old caregiver has been arrested in Chemnitz, Germany, on suspicion of killing a 91-year-old woman at the 'Haus Steinbachhof' nursing home. An autopsy confirmed a violent death, and an arrest warrant has been issued.
In January 2020, then-US President Donald Trump publicly thanked Iran for reportedly canceling the executions of hundreds of political prisoners, a move he claimed influenced his decision to de-escalate military threats. His statement followed widespread anti-government protests in Iran, though Iranian officials did not confirm the halt, and human rights groups reported continued executions.
Iran's judiciary head, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has signaled that individuals arrested during ongoing nationwide protests will face rapid trials and executions. This declaration comes despite strong international warnings, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, as human rights groups report thousands of deaths and detentions in the widespread unrest.
Saudi Arabia executed a record 356 people in 2025, marking the highest annual number since monitoring began, according to Human Rights Watch. The surge, largely driven by drug-related offenses, saw a significant number of foreign nationals and raised serious concerns about due process and the execution of individuals for crimes committed as minors.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year jail term for rape and life imprisonment for murder, was granted a 40-day parole on January 5, 2026. This marks his 15th temporary release from prison since his 2017 conviction, drawing renewed criticism.
Russian judges sentenced 100 individuals to life imprisonment between January and November 2025, marking the highest annual total in at least two decades. This surge is linked to expanded criminal code provisions, particularly for offenses like treason, sabotage, and terrorism, reflecting a tightening of control within the Russian Federation's judicial system.
Saudi Arabia executed 356 individuals in 2025, marking a new annual record for the kingdom. This surge, largely attributed to a 'war on drugs,' has drawn strong criticism from international human rights organizations, who cite concerns over fair trials and the use of capital punishment for non-lethal offenses.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly executed at least 347 people in 2025, marking a new annual record for the second consecutive year. Rights groups, including Reprieve and Amnesty International, have condemned the surge, noting that many executions were for non-lethal drug offenses and highlighting concerns over due process and the targeting of foreign nationals.
Donovan Moodley, convicted of the 2004 murder of Leigh Matthews, has been denied parole once more by the South African Department of Correctional Services. His profile will be reconsidered in two years after further interventions.
A French court in Besançon has sentenced former anesthetist Frederic Pechier to life in prison for poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died. The court found him guilty of deliberately inducing cardiac arrests between 2008 and 2017, reportedly to discredit colleagues and satisfy a 'thirst for power.' He faces a minimum of 22 years before parole eligibility and is permanently banned from medical practice.
A Bulgarian court on December 11, 2025, rejected Lebanon's request to extradite Igor Grechushkin, the Russian-Cypriot owner of the ship linked to the 2020 Beirut port explosion. The decision cited insufficient assurances from Lebanese authorities regarding the death penalty. Grechushkin remains in custody, and prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling.
The Liechtenstein government has adopted a new ordinance regulating fees in first-instance administrative penal proceedings, effective January 1, 2026. This measure follows the introduction of a new Administrative Criminal Law.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly told the security cabinet that a Jew acting on behalf of Iran against Israel could face execution under a proposed death penalty bill. The controversial legislation, championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, passed its first Knesset reading on November 10, 2025, and aims to introduce a mandatory death penalty for certain terrorism offenses.
