Article 117 — General Principles.

(1) Sentence of death shall be passed only in cases of grave crimes and on exceptionally dangerous criminals, in the cases specifically laid down by law as a punishment for completed crimes and in the absence of any extenuating circumstances. A sentence shall be passed only on an criminal who, at the time of the commission of the crime, has attained the age of eighteen years. (2) Death sentence shall not be carried out unless confirmed by the Head of State. It shall not be executed before ascertainment of its non- remission or non-commutation by pardon or amnesty. (3) The sentence of death shall not be carried out in public by hanging or by any other inhuman means. The penalty shall be executed by a humane means within the precincts of the prison. The means of execution shall be determined by the executive body having authority over the Federal or Regional prison administration concerned. The execution of the sentence shall be carried out without any cruelties, mutilations or other physical suffering. (4) After execution the body shall, upon request, be-handed to his family. Failing such request, it shall be given a decent burial.