Top prosecution body to add second review of death penalty sentences

Six years after the Supreme People's Court regained the power to review death penalty sentences, The Beijing News writes today, the Supreme People's Procuratorate has now been formally tasked with providing external review of Supreme Court decisions to apply the death penalty.

As part of its expanded role, assumed over the past six months, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, which oversees prosecutions and investigations, will also be allowed to issue opinions on ongoing cases which face a possible death sentence ruling.

Peking University law professor He Weifang, quoted in the report, said he expects the change will mean fewer wrongful executions but adds the Supreme People's Procurate will likely continue to defer to the Court despite its new supervisory role.

(The Beijing News)