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'Chemical Ali' execution approved 'Chemical Ali' execution approved
(19 minutes later)
The execution of Saddam Hussein's cousin and henchman "Chemical Ali" has been approved by Iraq's presidency.The execution of Saddam Hussein's cousin and henchman "Chemical Ali" has been approved by Iraq's presidency.
He was condemned to death on genocide charges for killing 100,000 Kurds during the 1988 Anfal campaign against the Kurds in northern Iraq.He was condemned to death on genocide charges for killing 100,000 Kurds during the 1988 Anfal campaign against the Kurds in northern Iraq.
Chemical Ali - whose real name is Hassan al-Majid - was initially sentenced to death in June last year but legal wranglings held up the case.Chemical Ali - whose real name is Hassan al-Majid - was initially sentenced to death in June last year but legal wranglings held up the case.
The execution was approved two days ago, to be carried out within 30 days.The execution was approved two days ago, to be carried out within 30 days.
He was convicted along with two other top officials - Hussein Rashid al-Tikriti, a senior military chief, and the former defence minister, Sultan Hashim al-Tai.He was convicted along with two other top officials - Hussein Rashid al-Tikriti, a senior military chief, and the former defence minister, Sultan Hashim al-Tai.
Poison gasPoison gas
THE ANFAL CAMPAIGN Anfal (English: Spoils of War) took place between February and August 1988Officially it was a clampdown on Kurdish separatism in the northWith a civilian death toll of up to 180,000, Kurds regard it as a campaign of genocideMustard gas and nerve agents were used in air attacks Other victims were summarily executed or died in captivity Anfal campaign against KurdsTHE ANFAL CAMPAIGN Anfal (English: Spoils of War) took place between February and August 1988Officially it was a clampdown on Kurdish separatism in the northWith a civilian death toll of up to 180,000, Kurds regard it as a campaign of genocideMustard gas and nerve agents were used in air attacks Other victims were summarily executed or died in captivity Anfal campaign against Kurds
The presidency, which is made up of President Jalal Talabani and two vice-presidents, has not yet approved the hanging of al-Tikriti and Hashim, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.The presidency, which is made up of President Jalal Talabani and two vice-presidents, has not yet approved the hanging of al-Tikriti and Hashim, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
The two men will remain in limbo not knowing whether they are to live or die, says our correspondent.The two men will remain in limbo not knowing whether they are to live or die, says our correspondent.
The trio, who are in the custody of American forces, were supposed to have been hanged by October.The trio, who are in the custody of American forces, were supposed to have been hanged by October.
But the executions were delayed after Hashim became a cause celebre among Sunni politicians.But the executions were delayed after Hashim became a cause celebre among Sunni politicians.
Iraqi Vice-President Tareq al-Hashimi has been among prominent Sunnis who insisted Hashim had simply been a career soldier carrying out orders and should be reprieved.Iraqi Vice-President Tareq al-Hashimi has been among prominent Sunnis who insisted Hashim had simply been a career soldier carrying out orders and should be reprieved.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's administration had argued with the US embassy and demanded all three be handed over to face the gallows.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's administration had argued with the US embassy and demanded all three be handed over to face the gallows.
The sentences have been held up amid a political row over HashemThe sentences have been held up amid a political row over Hashem
Former regime leaders, including Saddam Hussein himself and his half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti, have been handed over by the Americans and hanged by the Iraqi government without significant popular or political repercussions.Former regime leaders, including Saddam Hussein himself and his half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti, have been handed over by the Americans and hanged by the Iraqi government without significant popular or political repercussions.
The regime claimed the Anfal campaign was a necessary counter-insurgency operation during Iraq's bloody eight-year war with neighbouring Iran.The regime claimed the Anfal campaign was a necessary counter-insurgency operation during Iraq's bloody eight-year war with neighbouring Iran.
Majid acquired his nickname Chemical Ali during the operation after poison gas was used.Majid acquired his nickname Chemical Ali during the operation after poison gas was used.
Over the course of the Anfal trial, which opened in August last year, a defiant Majid showed no trace of remorse for ordering the attacks.Over the course of the Anfal trial, which opened in August last year, a defiant Majid showed no trace of remorse for ordering the attacks.
He said at one hearing: "I am the one who gave orders to the army to demolish villages and relocate the villagers. I am not apologising. I did not make a mistake."He said at one hearing: "I am the one who gave orders to the army to demolish villages and relocate the villagers. I am not apologising. I did not make a mistake."