Fresh meat!

**AzH** · 11-05-06, 04:59 AM

link

The former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of crimes against humanity by a court in Baghdad.

As the verdict was read out, Saddam, visibly shaken, shouted "God is great" and "Life for the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!"

The charges relate to the killing of 148 Shias in the village of Dujail in 1982.

The trial heard that he ordered the slaughter in revenge for an assassination attempt.

Before the hearing, in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, defence lawyers said they were expecting a death sentence, and are apparently preparing an appeal. Saddam still faces further trials over a number of other alleged crimes.

The former president has already said he would rather be shot by a firing squad than face the gallows "as a common criminal". At an earlier hearing he told judge Rauf Abdel Rahman: "I ask you being an Iraqi person that if you reach a verdict of death, execution, remember that I am a military man and should be killed by firing squad."

Saddam's half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim, and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, head of the former Revolutionary Court, were also sentenced to death.

His former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan was sentenced to life in jail for his role in the killings.

Three other defendants were convicted of murder and torture and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. One defendant was acquitted for lack of evidence.

Sectarian tensions have been running high in Iraq in the run-up to today's hearing, with a major security clampdown in force.

A 12-hour curfew was imposed in Baghdad and three other provinces.

The reaction in Iraq to the news will be watched closely around the world.

This should be interesting. I wonder what the reaction in Iraq will be to this news.

**masked_marsoe** · 11-05-06, 05:08 AM

It will be very interesting to see. Also when they do execute him, if they wait, it may cause more problems.

**Anzy** · 11-05-06, 05:23 AM

i see it as this will be very bad, very bad indeed, there will be more deaths and beheadings now more then ever.

**masked_marsoe** · 11-05-06, 05:37 AM

I don't really see how it will make so much difference. I think the idea that the insurgency is from Saddam-loyalists is not only outdated by completely incorrect.

**the_splurge** · 11-05-06, 07:22 AM

The people of Iraq are not fighting for Saddam but fighting against the American and British presence there. It won't make any difference what happens to Saddam.

But, I am not happy about this situation. I am totally opposed to capitol punishment, it is inhumane. I know what Saddam did is unacceptable and horrific, but even that does not justify execution. That merely brings us down to their level. We are meant to be a civilised society, each individual having their own rights and responsibilities. I agree that if you do not fulfill your responsibilities you should lose some of your rights, but not all of them. The right to life is one we should never lose. I am not saying that we shouldn't punish him, far from it, but we should not punish him like this. Life imprisonment with hard labour, but not execution. It makes me sick even to think about it.

**Amy** · 11-05-06, 07:46 AM

And that sissy would rather face the firing squad lol, he dont wanna suffer for all the things he did. I say good, but I do admit theres gonna be some more shit going on over there because of this. Lets get it done and over with already, he is nothing but a coward.

**imported_Chris** · 11-05-06, 08:12 AM

The sectarian violence will likely escalate after he is executed, no doubt. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised is one of the terrorist groups made an attempt to "rescue" Saddam.

**The Dragon** · 11-05-06, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by the_splurge

The people of Iraq are not fighting for Saddam but fighting against the American and British presence there. It won't make any difference what happens to Saddam.

I guess you've not been paying attention lately. It's more a civil war situation now than against the 'occupying forces' how this will change things one can only guess.