Statesman well known for his capital punishments (5)

I believe the answer is:

draco

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'statesman' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Athenian statesman' mean 'draco' so perhaps 'statesman' could also mean 'draco')

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for draco that I've seen before include "group of stars" , "archon" , "Constellation, the Dragon" , "Harsh legislator" , "seen among the stars" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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