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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Saddam Hussein 'in Iraqi hands' | Saddam Hussein 'in Iraqi hands' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been handed over to the Iraqi authorities ahead of his execution, his lawyers say they have been told. | Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been handed over to the Iraqi authorities ahead of his execution, his lawyers say they have been told. |
| "The American side has notified us that they have handed over the president to the Iraqi authorities," lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said, quoted by Reuters. | "The American side has notified us that they have handed over the president to the Iraqi authorities," lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said, quoted by Reuters. |
| This follows intense speculation about the timing of the execution, with some reports that it is imminent. | |
| Neither the US or Iraqi authorities have confirmed the handover. | Neither the US or Iraqi authorities have confirmed the handover. |
| The time and location of the hanging has not been made public - and may be revealed only after the former president is dead to avoid civil disruption and unrest. | |
| Saddam Hussein could be hanged at any time over the next four weeks, although one judge quoted by the Associated Press said he would die on Friday or Saturday. | |
| US forces in Iraq are braced for any backlash following the execution, defence department officials said. | |
| An appeal against Saddam Hussein's execution for the killings of 148 Shias in Dujail in the 1980s failed earlier this week. | An appeal against Saddam Hussein's execution for the killings of 148 Shias in Dujail in the 1980s failed earlier this week. |
| He was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November. | He was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November. |
| 'Dignity of victims' | 'Dignity of victims' |
| The former Iraqi leader has been in US military custody at Camp Cropper in Baghdad. | The former Iraqi leader has been in US military custody at Camp Cropper in Baghdad. |
| Earlier on Friday his lawyers said they had been asked to dispose of Saddam Hussein's personal effects. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said there would be no delay in carrying out the death sentence. | Earlier on Friday his lawyers said they had been asked to dispose of Saddam Hussein's personal effects. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said there would be no delay in carrying out the death sentence. |
| "No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam," Mr Maliki was quoted by AFP as saying. | "No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam," Mr Maliki was quoted by AFP as saying. |
| "Those who reject the execution of Saddam are undermining the dignity of Iraq's martyrs." | "Those who reject the execution of Saddam are undermining the dignity of Iraq's martyrs." |
| Another lawyer told the BBC that Saddam Hussein's half-brothers Sabawi Ibrahim and Watban Ibrahim - also in prison - were taken to visit him on Thursday. | Another lawyer told the BBC that Saddam Hussein's half-brothers Sabawi Ibrahim and Watban Ibrahim - also in prison - were taken to visit him on Thursday. |
| A trial in a second case, genocide against Kurds, continues against Saddam Hussein. | A trial in a second case, genocide against Kurds, continues against Saddam Hussein. |