Saddam Hussein executed
Friday, December 29, 2006
By LARRY KAPLOW
Cox News Service
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein was hanged just before dawn today, dramatically ending the life of the once-feared Iraqi dictator less than two months after his conviction for crimes against humanity.
Death came about 6 a.m. Baghdad time (8 p.m. MST Friday), according to Iraq’s state-run television.
The location was not immediately disclosed, nor were the names those who witnessed the execution. But there were media reports that some in attendance danced in celebration after the hanging.
Also hanged were Saddam’s half-brother Barzan Ibrahim and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the former chief justice of the Revolutionary Court.
There was no immediate word on what would be done with Saddam’s body. Reuters news agency reported that Saddam’s daughter Raghd, who is exiled in Jordan, wants his body buried temporarily in Yemen in hopes it can eventually be reburied in Iraq.
The capital was mostly quiet early today after the normal overnight curfew, but some celebratory gunfire was heard following Arabic language media reports of the hangings. Security had been tightened leading up to the execution amid concerns that it would touch off reprisal attacks and a new cycle of sectarian bloodshed.
The execution was not televised live but Iraqi officials said it could be shown later in photos or video.
More info
By LARRY KAPLOW
Cox News Service
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein was hanged just before dawn today, dramatically ending the life of the once-feared Iraqi dictator less than two months after his conviction for crimes against humanity.
Death came about 6 a.m. Baghdad time (8 p.m. MST Friday), according to Iraq’s state-run television.
The location was not immediately disclosed, nor were the names those who witnessed the execution. But there were media reports that some in attendance danced in celebration after the hanging.
Also hanged were Saddam’s half-brother Barzan Ibrahim and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the former chief justice of the Revolutionary Court.
There was no immediate word on what would be done with Saddam’s body. Reuters news agency reported that Saddam’s daughter Raghd, who is exiled in Jordan, wants his body buried temporarily in Yemen in hopes it can eventually be reburied in Iraq.
The capital was mostly quiet early today after the normal overnight curfew, but some celebratory gunfire was heard following Arabic language media reports of the hangings. Security had been tightened leading up to the execution amid concerns that it would touch off reprisal attacks and a new cycle of sectarian bloodshed.
The execution was not televised live but Iraqi officials said it could be shown later in photos or video.
More info
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