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Photo: Keita Iijima / AP
In Japan, a nurse killed three patients and received life imprisonment for them.
The 34-year-old Ayumi Kuboki had admitted her actions in front of the court, as reported by Japanese media.
Five years ago she killed patients over 70 and 80 years old by mixing disinfectants in infusion solutions.
The nurse feared the death of seriously ill patients and the reaction of relatives during their shift, reports the radio station NHK.
She felt "relieved" when one of the victims died.
The prosecution demanded the death penalty for Kuboki's actions, but the presiding judge waived because the accused regretted what had happened.
Japan is one of the few industrialized nations that still carries out the death penalty.
Support for this among the Japanese population is high, while the practice has been criticized internationally.
Often years pass between the death sentence and execution.
ani / AFP