Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress regarding Approval of Cases Involving the Death Sentence - China Law No. 95

In order promptly to suppress active criminals who seriously undermine public security by committing murder, robbery, rape or arson, or causing explosions, etc., the following Decision is made regarding the approval of, cases involving death sentences:

1.   From 1981 through 1983, the cases of criminals who commit murder, robbery, rape or arson, cause explosions, spread poisons, breach dikes or undermine transportation or electric power equipment, do not have to be submitted to the Supreme People's Court for approval if the higher people's court of a province, autonomous region, or- municipality directly under the Central Government has imposed the death penalty in a judgment of final instance; or an intermediate people's court has imposed the death penalty in a judgment of first instance, the defendant does not appeal and the sentence is approved by a higher people's court; or a higher people's court has imposed the death penalty in a judgment of first instance and the' defendant does not appeal.

2.   Death sentences imposed on criminals who commit counterrevolutionary crimes or corruption shall continue to be subject to approval by the Supreme People's Court in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law regarding the procedure for review of death sentences.