Syria executes 5 men for murder

Syrian authorities hang five men in northern Syria for murders they committed during attempted robberies.

Syrian authorities hanged five men in northern Syria for murders they committed during attempted robberies, the official SANA news agency said.

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The five men were sentenced to death by the Damascus Military Field Court in the northern city of Aleppo, some 355 kilometres north of Damascus, SANA said on Thursday. The names of the men were not given.

Residents in Aleppo said the five-member gang terrified the city and expressed happiness that they were off the streets.

"They committed more than ten murders and terrified Aleppo before they were arrested," said Ibrahim Suleiman, a 24 year-old Aleppo resident. He added that the gang was arrested three months ago.

Executing criminals is not uncommon in Syria, depending on the nature of the crime.