08 November 2016 :

the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act of 2004 was amended through the General Laws Amendment Act of 2016 to bring it into alignment with the Constitution adopted in 2013. The new law sets out aggravating circumstances determining an appropriate sentence to be imposed on a person convicted of murder. Capital punishment may be imposed on someone who kills while raping, kidnapping, committing a robbery or while illegally detaining a victim and escaping from lawful custody. It also applies to those who commit murder while carrying out an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism, hijacking or piracy. Killing during unlawful entry or malicious damage to property when the damage was effected through the use of explosives or fire or in the event that the murder was preceded or accompanied by physical torture or mutilation are the other factors that can result in the death penalty being imposed. If the murder is premeditated; or the murdered person was a minor, a police or prison officer, was pregnant, over the age of 70 years or was physically disabled, capital punishment may be imposed.