BBC: Saddam Hussein 'in Iraqi hands' ~ YES!

BBC ^ | Friday, 29 December 2006, 18:04 GMT | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Saddam Hussein 'in Iraqi hands'

Saddam Hussein: In US custody since he was caught in 2004

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.

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.

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.

He was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November.

'Dignity of victims'

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.

"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."

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.

[AbeKrieger]

Swingin, dude, SWINGIN !!!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From :

Comments on Saddam's Impending Execution

*******************************************

December 29, 2006 at 10:0:13 PST

Comments on Saddam's Impending Execution

By The Associated Press
ASSOCIATED PRESS

"I think he deserves punishment and sharp and unequivocal punishment. ... But I would say of him what I have to say about anyone who has committed even the most appalling crimes in this country, that I believe the death penalty effectively says there is no room for change and repentance." - Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, on BBC Radio.

---

Saddam's execution punishes "a crime with another crime. ... The death penalty is not a natural death. And no one can give death, not even the state." - Cardinal Renato Martino, Pope Benedict XVI's top prelate for justice issues, to the Rome daily La Repubblica.

---

"All sections of Iraqi society, as well as the wider international community, have an interest in ensuring that a death sentence provided for in Iraqi law is only imposed following a trial and appeal process that is, and is legitimately seen as, fair, credible and impartial. That is especially so in a case as exceptional as this one." - Louise Arbour, U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

---

"It will not increase our moral authority in the world. ... Saddam's heinous crimes against humanity can never be diminished, but he was our ally while he was doing it. ... Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth will make us blind and disfigured. ... Saddam as a war trophy only deepens the catastrophe to which we are indelibly linked." - The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

---

"Italy is against the death penalty and so even in such a dramatic case as Saddam Hussein, we still think that the death penalty must not be put into action." - Italian Premier Romano Prodi.

---

"Every dictator must answer for his actions, every dictator. This does not always happen in history. ... I will never defend the death penalty not even for the worst politician." - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

---

Germany "rejects the death penalty. ... The death penalty is, however, foreseen and possible under Iraqi law. There is no indication that these court proceedings in Iraq, including the appeals process, were not conducted in accordance with the legal principles there." - Thomas Steg, spokesman for the German government.

---

Denmark "supports the establishment of a democracy and an independent judicial system in Iraq. But we do not support the death penalty." Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller.

---

"Imposing the death penalty, which is indefensible in any case, is especially wrong after the unfair proceedings of the Dujail trial." - Richard Dicker, director of the International Justice Program for Human Rights Watch.

---

"Putting into action such an inhumane sentence casts aside the aspirations of the Iraqi people for the transformation of their country." - Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Russian Council of Muftis, to the RIA-Novosti news agency.

--

[SoldierDad]

Except that FOX has just reported that Saddam is still in U.S. custody and has not been handed over to the Iraqi Gov.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

See ya' in Hell, @$$hole.

[AbeKrieger]

I respect the opinion of anyone who is legitimately against the death penalty, though I stringently disagree with their position.

Except for Jesse Jackson. Whatever he says, holds no weight. Somebody should stuff a sweatsock so deep down this throat it comes out the other end in the same motion.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

However from an earlier AP report:

Saddam Remains in U.S. Military Prison

***********************************AN EXCERPT *********************************

*****************************************

In his Friday sermon, a mosque preacher in the Shiite holy city of Najaf called Saddam's execution "God's gift to Iraqis."

"Oh, God, you know what Saddam has done! He killed millions of Iraqis in prisons, in wars with neighboring countries and he is responsible for mass graves. Oh God, we ask you to take revenge on Saddam," said Sheik Sadralddin al-Qubanji, a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, known as SCIRI, the dominant party in al-Maliki's coalition.

[beansox]

"The death penalty is not a natural death." Cardinal Renato Martino, Pope Benedict XVI's top prelate for justice issues, to the Rome daily La Repubblica.



Either is the wood chipper he put his own people in feet first after having raped and deficated on them while their families were forced to watch. Your sympathy is misplaced.

[jonascord]

My reply to this Socialist clymers: Bite the Big One!

It would be educational for billions to watch Saddam airdancing on global TV.

[SevenofNine]

Rackkk ittttt

[BenLurkin]

[george76]

[bray]

You feel the Noose Tightening??

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This was posted ...with Foxnews as source....:

Saddam handed over to Iraqi authorities: Fox NEws

[BMC1]

His lawyer says Saddam will be smiling when they hang him. That may be true, but within moments after his death, that smile will be wiped of his face BIG TIME as he meets his maker.

[monkapotamus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=altf2rl5zMc
^^^ (discretion advised: language, etc.)

[SoldierDad]

Except that I'm watching Fox news right now and they are reporting Saddam has not yet been handed over to the Iraqi Gov. as reported by the U.S. State Department.

[353FMG]

"..there is no room for change and repentance.."

That is not true. Saddam can always change and repent as he drops through the trapdoor.

[san juan]

I don't feel good about this.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See post #7 for a local opinion...