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Iraqi President Distances Himself From
Hussein Execution
3.1.2007
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January 3, 2007
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that Saddam
Hussein's December 30 execution did not need his
approval and that he did not know when it was to
take place.
Talabani's office released a statement on January 2
saying the president opposes the death penalty, but
cannot interfere with the independence of the
judiciary.
The statement comes as Iraq's government
investigates the filming by mobile-phone camera of
Hussein's execution, in which the former dictator
was taunted moments before being hanged.
One of Hussein's lawyers, Emmanuel Ludot, today
urged the United Nations to open an inquiry into the
execution, saying the conditions under which it was
held were "unacceptable on matters of principle." |
Iraqi
President : Jalal Talabani, a Kurd |
Meanwhile, the new UN secretary-general said on
January 2 that the issue of capital punishment is
for each member state to decide, adding that he
personally was against impunity.
Ban Ki-moon was asked by reporters for his view on
Hussein's execution. He said the former Iraqi
president was responsible for committing "heinous
crimes and unspeakable atrocities." The UN charter
opposes the death penalty.
Hundreds of people in Tunisia and Yemen today joined
Iraqi Sunnis who have been protesting over Hussein's
execution.
rferl org
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