Popular Opinion Stopping Russia Abolishing Death Penalty

Sergei Mironov (right) with Russian President Vladimir Putin (file photo) (epa) June 28, 2006 -- Sergei Mironov, the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, today told the Council of Europe that Russia has not abolished the death penalty because such a move would fail to win the support of the majority of its population.

Russia has maintained a moratorium on executions since 1996, when it joined the Council.

The human rights watchdog is calling for the formal abolishment of the capital punishment.

(AP)