This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
Malawi has struggled with a surge in attacks on people with albinism since late 2014, with perpetrators targeting their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals.
On Tuesday, a court in the western town of Mchinji handed down the death sentence to Douglas Mwale, Fontino Folosani, and Sophie Jere for the murder of Priscott Pepuzani in 2015.
The trio was found guilty of murder and possessing human tissue, and the sentence was handed down by Agness Patemba, judiciary spokeswoman, on Wednesday.
This is the second death sentence handed down in the country in the past three months, following one in May this year for the murder of 19-year-old albino Mphatso Pensulo in 2017.
Malawi has not carried out any executions since 1994, with death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Association of People Living with Albinism welcomed the ruling, hoping it will deter attacks on their members.
"This ruling enhances our faith in the judiciary and solidifies our belief that we have them as an advocate in our fight to curb killings and abductions against people with albinism," said Ian Simbota, leader of the association.
