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Iraq judge convicts 400 over clashes in Najaf
 An Iraqi judge sentenced 10 people to death and 390 others to between 15 years and life in jail over clashes near the city of Najaf early this year that killed hundreds, local officials and a lawyer said on Monday. They said the verdicts were handed down on Sunday in the holy Shiite city, making it one of the biggest mass sentencings in Iraq since US forces ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003. Ahmed Duaibil, spokesman for the local government in Najaf, told Reuters the trials took place over three months at the Najaf police academy where the defendants were being held. A criminal judge was sent to the academy and tried the defendants in groups given the large numbers, he said. They were tried on charges related to terrorism, he added. Witnesses were called, the defendants had lawyers and court officials attended the hearings, Duaibil added. Posted by: Fred 2007-09-04 |
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