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Iraq resisting stay of execution Iraq resisting stay of execution
(10 minutes later)
No amount of international pressure can stop the execution of two men sentenced to death alongside Saddam Hussein, a top Iraqi official has said.No amount of international pressure can stop the execution of two men sentenced to death alongside Saddam Hussein, a top Iraqi official has said.
Sami al-Askari told the BBC the law did not allow for death sentences to be commuted, even by the president.Sami al-Askari told the BBC the law did not allow for death sentences to be commuted, even by the president.
No date has been announced for the execution of Saddam Hussein's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and former chief judge Awad al-Bandar.No date has been announced for the execution of Saddam Hussein's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and former chief judge Awad al-Bandar.
The United Nations has urged the Iraqi government not to execute them.The United Nations has urged the Iraqi government not to execute them.
CONDEMNED MEN Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti - Saddam Hussein's half-brother, former head of the intelligence serviceAwad al Bandar - former chief judge of Revolutionary Court Profile: Barzan Ibrahim Verdicts in detail UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said she had appealed directly to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, saying her concerns about the fairness of Saddam Hussein's trial also applied to his co-defendants.CONDEMNED MEN Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti - Saddam Hussein's half-brother, former head of the intelligence serviceAwad al Bandar - former chief judge of Revolutionary Court Profile: Barzan Ibrahim Verdicts in detail UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said she had appealed directly to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, saying her concerns about the fairness of Saddam Hussein's trial also applied to his co-defendants.
Under international law the men should have the chance to seek a pardon or have their sentences commuted, she said.Under international law the men should have the chance to seek a pardon or have their sentences commuted, she said.
But Mr Askari told the BBC's Arabic service: "Nobody can stop the carrying out of court verdicts. The court's statute does not allow even the president of the republic or the prime minister to commute sentences, let alone grant a pardon.But Mr Askari told the BBC's Arabic service: "Nobody can stop the carrying out of court verdicts. The court's statute does not allow even the president of the republic or the prime minister to commute sentences, let alone grant a pardon.
"Therefore, no pressure can stop the executions.""Therefore, no pressure can stop the executions."
Ms Arbour made a similar appeal before Saddam Hussein's execution, which took place before dawn on Saturday.Ms Arbour made a similar appeal before Saddam Hussein's execution, which took place before dawn on Saturday.
Saddam Hussein, Barzan and Bandar were sentenced to death over the killings of 148 Shias in the 1980s.Saddam Hussein, Barzan and Bandar were sentenced to death over the killings of 148 Shias in the 1980s.
Footage investigationFootage investigation
Mr Askari also said two guards employed by the ministry of justice were being questioned about the taunting of Saddam Hussein as he stood at the gallows, and the unauthorised mobile phone images that were taken. Mr Askari also said two guards employed by the ministry of justice - which is responsible for carrying out of verdicts and death sentences - were being questioned about the taunting of Saddam Hussein as he stood at the gallows, and the unauthorised mobile phone images that were taken.
Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie has told the BBC lessons have been learned from the incidents and future executions will be handled differently. We will take care of all the loopholes of what happened during Saddam's execution Mowaffaq al-RubaieIraqi national security adviser
"Obviously we will learn the lesson. We will take care of all the loopholes of what happened during Saddam's execution and we will leave no stone unturned to pursue those who have spoiled the victory of the Iraqi people in executing Saddam Hussein," he said. "The number of people who had mobile phones... has been identified. There is an arrest warrant for two of the guards who took part in the execution of the dictator Saddam. They are being questioned," he said.
Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie has told the BBC that lessons have been learned from the incidents and future executions will be handled differently.
"We will take care of all the loopholes of what happened during Saddam's execution and we will leave no stone unturned to pursue those who have spoiled the victory of the Iraqi people in executing Saddam Hussein," he said.
On Wednesday, the Iraqi government began an investigation into the taunts and the unofficial footage, which appeared on the internet hours after the execution and showed the moment of death.On Wednesday, the Iraqi government began an investigation into the taunts and the unofficial footage, which appeared on the internet hours after the execution and showed the moment of death.
"The line of investigation is that this might have been infiltrated by outsiders to harm Iraq and to basically apply a blow to the sectarian unrest in Iraq," Mr Rubaie added.
The authorities released official footage of Saddam Hussein's execution to prove to the public that he was dead. But that film did not include any sound and did not show the actual moment of death.The authorities released official footage of Saddam Hussein's execution to prove to the public that he was dead. But that film did not include any sound and did not show the actual moment of death.