Capital punishment inGibraltar included public execution in the nineteenth century until 1864. The last sentence of death was passed in 1952. Under British law, capital punishment was almost abolished in 1965,[1] in line withBritish practice. It was entirely abolished in 2002 along with all otherBritish Overseas Territories.
During the 18th and 19th centuries agallows was accessible from within the 18th century tunnels insideWillis' Gallery in the northeastern part of theRock of Gibraltar. The nearest entrance to this part of the tunnel system is byPrincess Anne's Battery. The gallows and floggings were administered in sight of the Spanish troops[2] who manned theSpanish Lines across theisthmus (the Spanish fortifications were later dismantled).
Prior to the foundation of theAlameda Gardens in 1816, its location (theGrand Parade, an assembly ground situated to the south of the town, beyondSouthport Gates) was the place of public executions.[3] During the 19th century, public militaryhangings were carried out atGrand Casemates Square,[4] with the last one held in 1864.[5]
Subsequent hangings took place at the HM PrisonMoorish Castle.
Gibraltar's last hanging for murder took place on 3 July 1931 when 31-year-oldErnest Opisso went to thegallows. He wasexecuted for the murder of his employer in the flat above her shop where they both worked. It was the first execution in Gibraltar since 1896.[6]
TwoSpaniards fromLa Línea de la Concepción recruited by the German intelligence service, theAbwehr, 23-year-oldLuis López Cordón Cuenca and 19-year-oldJosé Martín Muñoz, were hanged on 11 January 1944[1] foroffences committed duringWorld War II. The hangings were carried out by famous BritishhangmanAlbert Pierrepoint, who had travelled undercover to Gibraltar to carry out the executions.[7]
Barring two exceptions, capital punishment was almost completely abolished in Gibraltar on 8 November 1965,[1] in line withBritish practice. However, deathsentences were last passed in Gibraltar in 1952.[6]
In 2001, Gibraltar still retained capital punishment for treason and piracy.[8] However, capital punishment was abolished in 2002, when the death penalty was outlawed under all circumstances in all theBritish Overseas Territories.[9]
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