Sunday, November 05, 2006
Saddam given death sentence
Legal
The former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussain has been sentenced to death by hanging. The Iraqi High Tribunal ruled that he had committed crimes against humanity in ordering the massacre of 148 Shiite civilians in the town of Dujail after an attempt against his life in the early 1980s. As his sentence was read out by Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman Saddam yelled "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long Live Iraq!” Two other senior aides of Saddam - his half-brother Barzan Al Tikrit and former revolutionary chief judge Awad Hamed Al Bander – were also handed down death sentences.
The court proceedings lasted just 45 minutes and were adjourned shortly after Saddam’s sentence was read out. Death by hanging is the punishment given to convicted criminals in Iraq. Saddam’s request for the more honourable option of the firing squad, which is reserved for the Iraqi military, was ignored. A verdict carrying a death sentence or a sentence of life imprisonment is automatically subject to review by a panel of appeal judges, who will decide whether or not to allow a retrial. Should the judgment stand Saddam will be executed within 30 days the chief prosecutor has said.
COMMENT: A fairly predicatable verdict, however, in this unusual and controversial trial it will be interesting to see what happens in the next 30 days when the defense can appeal against the verdict, bearing in mind that both regionally and internationally there has been criticism of whether the trial has been fair or legitamate. It is likely that attacks against the Americans and Shias will increase. Saddam still has a strong, mainly Sunni following, both inside and outside Iraq - part of which is well bank rolled. Those loyal to him will try to further destabilise the country's politics and security. COMMENT ENDS.
