citing

法務省は３日、２人の死刑を執行したと発表しました執行は小川敏夫前法相在任中の３月２９日以来約４カ月ぶりのことです。滝実法相就任後の執行は初めてのケースとなりました。

citingの原形 citeには「引用する、傍証する」、「人を法廷に召喚する」などの意味がありますが、ここの文脈では「〜という理由を挙げて、〜であるという理由で」と訳すことも可能かと思います。（EnDough）

Japan Executes 2 Criminals, 3rd Enforcement under DPJ Govt

Tokyo, Aug. 3 (Jiji Press)--The Justice Ministry said Friday it has executed two death-row criminals, marking the third enforcement of capital punishment since the Democratic Party of Japan took power in September 2009.

The first capital punishment in the tenure of Justice Minister Makoto Taki followed the previous executions in March of three criminals that were ordered by then Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa.

Executed were Junya Hattori, 40, who burned a female student to death, and Kyozo Matsumura, 31, who killed his two relatives.

Just like the previous one in March, the latest capital punishment was enforced while the Diet, Japan's parliament, was in session, which is an unusual case.

Taki did not hold a news conference immediately after the executions, citing his participation in a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Judicial Affairs. Instead, ministry officials disclosed the names of the two criminals.

(2012/08/03）
http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2012080300561