Iraq stays executions of two Saddam-era officials
Iraq stays executions of two Saddam-era officials
Iraq has stayed the execution of two of Saddam Husseins top military officials in a sensitive decision for the countrys multi-sectarian government.
Sultan Hashim, who was a former defense minister, and Hussein Rasheed, who was Saddams former army chief of staff, were sentenced to death by a court in June 2007 because of their involvement in a brutal campaign which targeted members of the countrys Kurdish minorities.
Iraqs Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi, a Sunni, said on Wednesday the presidency council, a body set up to act as a balance among Iraqs various sectarian and ethnic groups, had agreed to uphold a suspension of the two mens death sentences.
The two men were convicted of genocide for directing the 1988 Anfal military campaign against Kurds.
Prosecutors said up to 180,000 people were killed when chemical weapons were used and villages razed.
Eight years after the US invasion that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein, the fate of former Saddam officials remains a sensitive issue.
Saddam was himself sent to the gallows in 2006 and many of his former loyalists have been sentenced to death.
Implementing death sentence against Hashim and Rasheed, both Sunnis, might have provoked Iraqi minority Sunnis. Many Shiite and Kurds had backed the death sentences.
Sultan Hashim, who was a former defense minister, and Hussein Rasheed, who was Saddams former army chief of staff, were sentenced to death by a court in June 2007 because of their involvement in a brutal campaign which targeted members of the countrys Kurdish minorities.
Iraqs Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi, a Sunni, said on Wednesday the presidency council, a body set up to act as a balance among Iraqs various sectarian and ethnic groups, had agreed to uphold a suspension of the two mens death sentences.
The two men were convicted of genocide for directing the 1988 Anfal military campaign against Kurds.
Prosecutors said up to 180,000 people were killed when chemical weapons were used and villages razed.
Eight years after the US invasion that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein, the fate of former Saddam officials remains a sensitive issue.
Saddam was himself sent to the gallows in 2006 and many of his former loyalists have been sentenced to death.
Implementing death sentence against Hashim and Rasheed, both Sunnis, might have provoked Iraqi minority Sunnis. Many Shiite and Kurds had backed the death sentences.
