Death to pedophiles and terrorists – Russians say

Russian residents have spoken strongly in favor of the death penalty for persons who commit certain kinds of crimes; among them terrorism, drug dealing and sexual crimes against children.

79% per cent support capital punishment for pedophiles, according to the Russian Center of Studying of Public Opinion, which revealed its research on Monday.

65% want death for terrorists and 61% for drug dealers. 60% of people think that those who have committed pre-meditated murder do not have the right to live.

In most of other cases Russia’s citizens are against capital punishment, especially for persons convicted of corruption (66%), and treason and espionage (65%). Also hijackers (62%) should not face the death penalty in accordance with the majority’s opinion, the study says.

The heads of military coups (59%) and those who have committed an assassination attempt to the head of the state should not be put to death either.

The researchers state that over the last ten years, public opinion about the death penalty in certain cases has changed in Russia. In general, now Russians stand more often against death sentences concerning treason and espionage (in 1999 it was 57%), corrupted officials (52% were against it 10 years ago) etc.

The only case in which loyalty towards the capital punishment has increased over the last 10 years – by 4 % – is acts of terror.