The execution of Saddam Hussein took place on
December 30,
2006 (the first day of Eid-al-Adha). He was sentenced to death by hanging, after being found guilty and convicted of
crimes against humanity by the
Iraqi Special Tribunal for the murder of 148 Iraqi Shi'ite in the town of
Dujail in 1982, in retaliation for an assassination attempt against him.
Saddam Hussein was President of Iraq from July 16, 1979 until April 9, 2003, when he was deposed during the
2003 invasion of Iraq by
U.S.-led Allied Coalition. After his
capture in
ad-Dawr, near his hometown
Tikrit, he was incarcerated at
Camp Cropper. On November 5, 2006, he was sentenced to death by hanging.
On December 30, 2006, he was taken to the prison to be executed. The Iraqi government released an official videotape of his execution, showing him being led to the gallows, and ending after his head was in the hangman's noose. International public controversy arose when an unauthorized cell phone recording of the hanging showed him falling through the trap door of the gallows. The unprofessional and undignified atmosphere of the execution drew criticism around the world from nations that both oppose and support
capital punishment.
On December 31, 2006, Saddam Hussein's body was returned to his birthplace of
Al-Awja, near Tikrit, and was buried near the graves of other family members. Saddam's body was never shown.
Execution
Prior to execution
Two days prior to the...
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