death_penalty_new.qxd 02-08-27 12:57 Page 24 THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE OSCE AREA Method of execution: Shooting61. Relatives are informed of the date of execution before it is carried out62. STATISTICS Number of death sentences passed: According to the statistics obtained from the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh authorities, two persons have been sentenced to death since 1 January 200063. In the first case a decree of clemency has been issued by the de facto President, which substituted the death penalty with 15 years imprisonment. The Clemency Commission has forwarded the second case for the consideration of the de facto President. Number of executions: None. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS Juvenile Offenders: Persons who were below the age of 18 at the time when the crime was committed cannot be sentenced to death64. Pregnant women: Pregnant women or women that were pregnant at the time the crime was committed cannot be sentenced to death65. Clemency/Pardon: The Clemency Commission prepares cases for consideration by the President66. The final decision to issue a Decree of Clemency substituting the death penalty with imprisonment is taken by the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh President67. 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Article 22 of the de facto Criminal Code. Internal Instruction of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Interior. Both persons were convicted under Article 99 of the de facto Criminal Code. Article 22 of the de facto Criminal Code. Article 22 of the de facto Criminal Code. The Clemency Commission is regulated by the Provisions adopted by the Decree of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh President as of 1 February 1995. The power of the de facto President to grant Clemency is set out in the de facto Law on the Nagorno-Karabakh President and the de facto Criminal Code. 24