Legal body confirms new guidelines

The country's top procuratorate yesterday confirmed it had issued a guideline to streamline and standardize how prosecutors handle appeals of death sentences - a move to further ensure justice in such cases.

The guideline requires prosecutors across the country to keep detailed records of the entire process of the appeals of those sentenced to death, including the case acceptance and handling, as well as court hearing and verdicts, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said.

Prosecutors are required to examine evidence and confessions to make sure they are not collected through illegal means such as forced confessions or threats.