Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 11:01:32 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

US Halts Hanging of Convicted Saddam Chief

Posted Oct 13, 07 4:07 PM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – The US stopped Saddam's defense chief from hanging last month, claiming Iraqi outrage inspired the pardon — but insiders say that Sultan Hashem earned his reprieve by thwarting Iraqi attacks during the 2003 US-led invasion. Officials tell Time that Hashem’s execution would be a “gross miscarriage of justice” since his work “saved American lives.”

The US even tried to install Hashem in Iraq's government, a CIA officer says. But a Patraeus spokesman now concedes that Hashem will hang for leading the savage Anfal Campaign, which included chemical strikes on Kurdish civilians. An Iraqi official says that "it will happen" after the Ramadan fast and Eid holiday end on Saturday.

Source Time

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Sunni Bloc Signals Return to Iraq Cabinet

    Apr 24, 08 3:04 PM CDT
    Sunni Bloc Signals Return to Iraq Cabinet The biggest Sunni bloc in Iraq is returning to the government after a nine-month boycott, encouraged by a new amnesty law and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s redoubled attention to Shiite militias, the New York Times reports. Which cabinet positions the Tawafiq bloc will get, and which members will hold them, is still up in the air. More »

  • Sadr Threatens to End Truce

    Apr 8, 08 3:02 PM CDT
    Sadr Threatens to End Truce Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr today threatened to end the cease-fire he imposed last year on his Mahdi militia, CNN reports, and called off a massive protest set for tomorrow, the fifth anniversary of the end of Saddam Hussein’s rule. Hundreds had converged on Baghdad—despite orders to keep young men out—before Sadr called off the event. More »

  • Split Deepens Between Iraqi Shiites

    Apr 7, 08 2:40 PM CDT
    Split Deepens Between Iraqi Shiites As violence between Sunni and Shiites has subsided in Iraq, animosity between Shiite sects is mounting, with a death toll to match, the Washington Post reports. The government's offensive last week against Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia in Basra exposed the grim reality of a widening political gulf. “They are our brothers," said a Mahdi Army leader. "But their political positions have changed them.” More »

  • Iranian Prez Arrives in Iraq

    Mar 2, 08 8:23 AM CST
    Iranian Prez Arrives in Iraq In an historic visit, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Iraq today predicting “a new chapter” for relations between the two countries, despite a tense history and a feud with Baghdad’s American allies. Ahmadinejad, who won’t be protected by US forces during his two-day trip, met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and will sit down with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. More »

  • Iraq: US Stalling on 3 Executions

    Nov 11, 07 5:48 PM CST
    Iraq: US Stalling on 3 Executions US forces have yet to hand over three prominent figures in Saddam Hussein's regime sentenced to death in September, and Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki is accusing the US of dragging its feet—not to mention violating the constitution.  Though "Chemical Ali" is the star of the three, the US is interested in sparing former a defense minister, the BBC reports. More »

Hashem Ahmad al-Tai was Saddam Hussein's last defense minister.   (Getty Images)
Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai reacts as court officials conduct him out of the courtroom after his verdict was pronounced during the verdict trial session in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, June 24, 2007. Sultan...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, shakes hands with the Iraq President Jalal Talabani, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)   (Associated Press)
President of Iraq Jalal Talabani listens during a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Iraq  • CIA  • Nouri al-Maliki  • David Petraeus  • Shiite  • Sunni  • Saddam Hussein  • Anfal


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »