Ex-KGB officer opposes the death penalty

When Vladimir Putin is more enlightened on the death penalty than we are in the United States, we have to take a serious look at ourselves and say, "What the hell is the matter with us?"

Itar-Tass: Putin personally against death penalty, listens to public opinion

Apparently, this has been his stance for many years. I just found out about it. From Amnesty International's 2001 press release:

"The state should not assume the right which only the Almighty has -- to take a human life," he said. "That is why I can say firmly -- I am against Russia reinstating the death penalty."

President Putin was also quoted as saying that he was aware of public opinion on the death penalty but believed that state-sponsored cruelty did nothing to fight crime and only engendered new violence.