Death_Penalty_2005_nowy.qxd 2005-09-08 17:00 Page 29 THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION STATISTICS Death sentences None Executions None INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS Pregnant women and children Women and individuals who were below the age of 18 at the time of the crime cannot be sentenced to death.84 Pardon or commutation The Constitution gives the president authority to grant clemency.85 The death penalty can be commuted to life imprisonment or deprivation of liberty for 25 years.86 Clemency commissions in each of the constituent entities consider appeals for clemency and make recommendations to the president.87 All cases concerning individuals sentenced to death are automatically considered regardless of whether the sentenced person has submitted an appeal for clemency. Sentences are not executed until a decision on clemency has been issued.88 Relatives Relatives are not informed in advance of the date of execution. The body is not returned, and the place of burial is not disclosed.89 84 85 86 87 88 89 Article 59(2), Criminal Code. This article also stipulates that the death penalty cannot be applied to men who are over the age of 65 at the time when the sentence is pronounced. Article 89(c) of the Constitution. Articles 59(3) of the Criminal Code. A single Presidential Pardon Commission was replaced by regional commissions in each of the constituent entities by Presidential Decree No. 1500 “On the procedure for consideration of clemency appeals in the Russian Federation”, 28 December 2001. Article 184 of the Criminal Executive Code. Article 186(4) of the Criminal Executive Code. 29