Gambia stops death row executions

Gambian President suspended the imminent executions of 37 inmates sentenced to death

The Associated Press

Posted: Sep 15, 2012 4:58 PM ET

Last Updated: Sep 15, 2012 4:57 PM ET

In this September 23, 2006 file photo Gambian President Yahya Jammeh speaks during a press conference following his re-election in Banjul, Gambia. (Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press)

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has halted the executions of prisoners on death row, at least for now.

Jammeh issued a statement Saturday saying that he suspended the imminent executions of 37 inmates sentenced to death, as long as violent crime does not rise in Gambia.

The Gambian leader said he was acting in response to numerous appeals from Gambian council elders, women's organizations and youth groups following the execution last month of nine prisoners.

The executions by firing squad prompted many condemnations including from the European Union, the United Nations and Amnesty International.

"What happens next will be dictated by either a declining violent crime rate, in which case the moratorium will be indefinite, or an increase in violent crime in which case the moratorium will be lifted automatically," said the statement from Jamme

The killings of the nine were first time in 27 years that the death penalty was used in Gambia.

Jammeh has been in power since 1994.

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