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BAGHDAD - Iraq's presidency has signed death
sentences for three men convicted of murder, paving
the way for the first state-endorsed executions
since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The men will be
hanged.
President Jalal Talabani, who opposes capital
punishment, did not sign the document, but his
deputy signed on his behalf.
"I have authorized Adel Abdel Mehdi to ratify the
death sentence against three convicted men," a
statement issued by Talabani's office said on
Wednesday, referring to one of two vice presidents.
A copy of the execution order was attached to the
statement, showing the signatures. Iraqi law
requires the cabinet, president and two vice
presidents to approve carrying out a death sentence.
Cabinet gave its consent on Aug. 14.
Wednesday's statement said the men, whose names were
not revealed, were found guilty by a criminal court
in Wasit province in southeastern Iraq of "murder,
kidnapping and rape." A higher court had upheld the
ruling.
Asked if the men would be hanged, a spokeswoman at
the Iraqi High Court said: "Of course." She said the
date and place of the hangings had not been decided.
"We have 13 cases where people have been given the
death penalty. They are for various crimes, not just
terrorist incidents," spokeswoman Ahlam Jamil said.
Thousands of Iraqis have died in violence since the
2003 U.S. invasion, with insurgents battling U.S.
troops and the U.S.-backed government.
Ordinary crime has also become rampant against a
background of daily suicide bombs, kidnappings and
assassinations.
Many Western governments and rights groups had hoped
the death penalty would be outlawed in Iraq after
the rule of the Baath party, accused of killing
hundreds of thousands of people.
"This does set a bad example if the government
starts a new phase by reinstating the death
penalty," said Amnesty International spokeswoman
Nicole Houeiry in London.
Reuters
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