Taiwan executes death row inmate convicted in 2013 murders

Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Taiwan on Thursday executed a death row inmate convicted in a 2013 double murder, marking the country's first execution since President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) took office last year. 

Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien (鄭銘謙) signed the order, and the death sentence was carried out by shooting Thursday night at the Taipei Detention Center, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said.

The 32-year-old inmate Huang Lin-kai (黃麟凱) was sentenced to death in 2017 for the October 1, 2013 rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend and murder of her mother in New Taipei's Sanchong District.

Huang, an active duty soldier at the time, said during his trial that he had strangled his victims to death due to dissatisfaction that arose after his ex-girlfriend pressed him to return money he owed her.

Currently, there are 36 inmates on death row in Taiwan, and the last execution before Huang's was on April 1, 2020.

It was Taiwan's first execution of a prisoner since President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in May of last year.

Prior to that, two death row inmates were executed during the two terms (2016-2024) of then President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the DPP.

During the 2008-2016 administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of the Kuomintang, 33 inmates were executed.

Last year, Taiwan's Constitutional Court issued a ruling finding the death penalty constitutional only for "the most serious" premeditated murders and crimes leading to death, severely limiting its use in the future.

The National Human Rights Commission, which calls for the abolition of the death penalty, on Thursday night expressed deep regret over the MOJ's decision to carry out the execution.

Meanwhile, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), voiced support for capital punishment, saying that carrying out the death penalty in accordance with the law is the unshirkable responsibility of the government.

It upholds judicial fairness and provides justice to the victims and their families, the KMT said.