Serb Lawmakers Abolish Death Penalty

Feb 26

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia - Serbia's parliament abolished the death penalty Tuesdsay, making the maximum punishment for murder and other serious crimes 40 years in prison.

 The government of Montenegro, the smaller component of the Yugoslav federation, has made a similar proposal to the republic's parliament.

 The Yugoslav federal parliament abolished the death penalty in November, and the two republic parliaments had been expected to follow suit.

 The change becomes effective once it is announced in the official government gazette, expected in the next few days.

 The death penalty has not been carried out anywhere in Yugoslavia for the last 10 years