BAGHDAD - Iraqi prosecutors submitted to the court trying Saddam Hussein on Tuesday what they said was a signed execution order showing his guilt in the killing of 148 Shiite civilians in reprisal for a 1982 assassination bid. The document, dated June 16, 1984 and allegedly signed by the ousted president, confirmed death sentences passed by a tribunal two days earlier.| "I dunnit, just like the orchards!" |
The prosecutors said the villagers had been sentenced after a show trial in which they had no rights to appear or be represented. “These men were sentenced to death even though they were not able to take part in their trial or defend themselves,” one of the prosecutors said. Neither Saddam, nor any of his seven co-defendant, questioned the validity of the documents.
Meanwhile, prosecutors also submitted a letter from IraqÂ’s secret service, dated June 23, 1987, saying 46 of the 148 defendants had in fact died from torture rather than by hanging. Four of the victims were added to the list by mistake and executed, the letter also said. The head of the secret service was sentenced to three years in prison for this mistake, the court was told.