Here’s the rundown:
Saddam Hussein
Charged: The 1982 killings of nearly 150 Shiite Muslims in Dujail
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death by hanging
Barzan al-Tikriti
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death
Awad Hamed al-Bandar
Conviction: Crimes against humanity
Sentence: Death
Taha Yassin Ramadan
Conviction: Premeditated Murder
Sentence: Life in jail
Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail
Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail
Alli Dayih Ali
Conviction: Torture and Premeditated Murder
Sentence: 15 years in jail
Mohammed Azawi Ali
Conviction: Aquitted for lack of evidence
Sentence: None
Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants will be given the right to appeal, but that is expected to take only a few weeks and to end in failure for the defendants. The death sentences automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel, which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days.
Here’s the video of the actual sentencing:
Celebrations ensued in Baghdad and in the Shia district of Sadr City, and in the holy city of Najaf. However, thousands in Tikrit - Saddam’s hometown, protested to voice support for Saddam.
This is an excellent rundown of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq
Prepared by the U.S. Department of State
Released September 13, 1999 (updated 2/23/00)
The purpose of this report is to present the facts concerning Iraq under Saddam Hussein.
There are a wealth of charges and counter-charges concerning actions undertaken by Saddam and by the international community towards Iraq.
Based on publicly available information, the facts contained in this report demonstrate that under the regime of Saddam Hussein, Iraq continues to repress its people, threaten the region, and obstruct international efforts to provide humanitarian relief.
We are helping the Iraqi people in their efforts to bring about a regime that is committed to living in peace with its neighbors and respecting the rights of its citizens.
We want to see Iraq return as a respected and prosperous member of the international community, and as the evidence shows, this is unlikely to happen as long as Saddam Hussein is in power.
As long as Saddam Hussein is in power, we are determined to contain the Iraqi regime and prevent it from threatening the region or its own people. We will also continue our efforts to increase humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq, over the obstructions of the regime.
“It’s a good day for the Iraqi people,” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow
Though, I still do not believe that the US invaded Iraq for humanitarian reasons. If that were the truth - if the US was comitted to invading countries with regimes that threatened its own regions and people.. regimes that mismanaged resources to benefit the ruling authority, at the sacrifice of its own people - - then the US military would be heavily involved in many regions of Africa. Yet, the US is not, and has not, lifted a finger to assist in the genocide occuring in Africa today, except to throw good money after bad.
That being said - I am pleased with Saddams verdict and sentencing. It is my greatest hope, for the Iraqi people, that they someday find peace, democracy and rest in their country. I fear it is a long time coming for them. I believe the country is on the brink of civil war.
I don’t subscribe to the “Bush lied, people died” line of thinking. I do, however, believe that this administration went into office in 2000 with the intention of bringing down Saddam’s regieme. I believe Iraq was on their radar from day one. 9/11 gave this administration the momentum it needed to stage such an invasion - and allows the US to fight terrorists on their own land, rather than here, in the US - - much to the detriment of innocent Iraqi civilians.
I also do not subscribe to the ‘cut and run’ line of thinking, either. The US holds great responsibility in seeing this thing through - and not leaving Iraq until that country is stable enough to stand on its own. I do not believe that pulling our troops out, as some on the left have suggested, is the answer for this war torn country. We have a responsibility to see it through - - we comitted to the action in Iraq, and we need to take care of business… painful as that may be.
Related in the News:
Convicted of crimes against humanity… - BBC
Trembling Saddam Shouted: ‘Life for the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!’… - AP
Related in blogs:
Was There Ever A Question of Guilt? - Electric Venom
Saddam Death Verdict Sign of Iraq’s Progress - California Conservative
Rope. Bridge. Saddam. Some Assembly Required. AntiIdotarian Rottweiler
Saddam sentenced to death by hanging - HotAir
Death By Hanging For Saddam - EdDriscoll
Saddam Sentenced To Death - SisterToldJah
Saddam Sentenced to Die - The Moderate Voice
Saddam Hussein verdicts - SADDAM SENTENCED TO DEATH - MVRWC
Saddam To Be Hanged - Flopping Aces
Was There Ever Any Doubt? - StageLeft