New rule allows stays of execution

Execution of death row criminals should be suspended for review if new relevant evidence is found, even if the Supreme People's Court (SPC) has reviewed the cases and upheld the death sentences, according to a new judicial interpretation taking affect on Friday.

If a death row inmate is suspected of involvement in other crimes, and his or her accomplices are being tried, and their sentences could affect the death row inmate, "under such circumstances, execution should be put on hold when the local courts are about to carry out the sentence", the judicial interpretation clarified.

In such cases, the local court should immediately contact the SPC for an order to suspend execution. The SPC will have the final on whether the new evidence requires a suspension or the lower courts should carry out the sentence.