An Iraqi official yesterday denied claims that Saddam Hussein
could be hanged as early as Saturday while lawyers for the fallen
tyrant said he was preparing for his execution.
As speculation swirled about the timing of the execution, Iraq's
Justice Ministry denied a defense lawyer’s comment that it had
taken custody of Saddam from the US military.
"It's none of the Americans' business to decide when," a senior
Justice Ministry official said, dismissing a suggestion from a
senior US official that Saddam could hang as early as Saturday.
He also said no execution would occur before January 26, 30 days
after the sentence was upheld. It seems the cabinet is torn over
the timing and whether it requires a death warrant signed by the
president.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in his first comments on the
issue, said yesterday there could be no going back on the sentence
passed last month and "no delay" in carrying it out.
An aide confirmed the content of the remarks, reported by state
television, and said he made them to relatives of victims of
Saddam's oppression.
Those opposing the hanging were insulting those who had
suffered, the newsflash quoted Maliki as saying, adding that no one
could reverse the sentence. Several officials this week have
highlighted that, unlike in other capital crimes, the president
does not have the authority to pardon those convicted of crimes
against humanity.
Maliki, from the Shi'ite Muslim majority oppressed under Saddam,
said last month he wanted Saddam hanged this year for the killings,
torture and other crimes against the Shi'ite population of the town
of Dujail in the 1980s.
However, some members of Saddam's Sunni minority say an
execution may increase alienation among their rebellious community.
Some Kurds have also stated they would like to see Saddam convicted
of genocide in the Kurdish north. That second trial is due to
resume on January 8.
Khalil al-Dulaimi, who led Saddam's defense team until he was
sentenced on November 5, said: "The Americans called me and asked
me to pick up the personal effects."
An appeals court on Tuesday upheld Saddam's death sentence for
crimes against humanity and ruled him to hang within 30 days.
One defense lawyer, declining to be identified, said Saddam had
been handed over by US forces to Iraqi Government custody. Deputy
Justice Minister Bosho Ibrahim said: "This is not true. He is still
with the Americans."
(China Daily December 30, 2006)
