Blue Star Chronicles

The death sentence of former Iraqi Tyrant Dictator, Saddam Hussein, has been upheld by an Iraqi appeals court.

The attorneys for Saddam filed an appeal immediately following his sentencing in November. He appeal has been rejected and according to Iraqi law there are no further avenues for appeal. The execution must be carried out no longer than 30 days following the end of appeals.

Saddam was sentenced to death for the 1982 killings of 148 Shias in the town Dujail. He is awaiting trial for other mass murders perpetrated during his reign of terror. However, Iraqi law is such that his execution must take place within 30 days even though court proceedings for his other crimes are still pending.

The time and place of his execution will remain a closely guarded secret. The execution will be videotaped in order to be able to provide proof that he is indeed dead.

The office of the president of Iraq has received thousands of requests to perform the task of executioner. The president’s office reports that Iraqi people from around the world have contacted the office hoping to be the one chosen to pull the lever. These requests come from survivors of Saddam’s rule and the relatives of those who disappeared while Saddam was in power.

The verdicts of the trial were:

• Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president: found guilty and sentenced to death
• Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, Saddam Hussein’s half-brother: found guilty and sentenced to death
• Awad Hamed al-Bandar, Chief Judge of Revolutionary Court: found guilty and sentenced to death
• Taha Yasin Ramadan, former Iraqi vice-president: found guilty and sentenced to life in jail
• Abdullah Kadhem Ruaid Senior Baath official: found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in jail
• Abdullah Rawed Mizher, Senior Baath official: found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in jail
• Ali Daeem Ali, Senior Baath official: found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in jail
• Mohammed Azawi Ali, Baath official: acquitted

hattip The Pirate’s Cove who has some interesting progressive reactions.

More at Hot Air, Urban Underground, Riehl World View, A Blog for All, Texas Rainmaker, Dread Pundit Bluto, Stuck on Stupid, Balance Sheet,

AAPPundit says:

“Yes, It appears that it will be good bye to Sadam Hussein, unless President Jalal Talabani can pull a rabbit out of his hat. Ramsey Clark’s plead to Keep Saddam in US Custody. just won’t work. It’s very interesting that former weapons inspector Hans Blix says that Iraq today is worse than under Saddam.”