IRAQ: Saddam Hussein's former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan executed on 4th anniversary of US-led invasion

Saddam Hussein's former vice-president has been hanged in Iraq for crimes against humanity. Iraq's former vice-president was hanged for crimes against humanity early on Tuesday (March 20), the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that removed dictator Saddam Hussein from power. Former Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan was the third of Saddam's top aides to be hanged since the ex-president was himself executed in December after a trial in a U.S.-backed Iraqi tribunal that was criticised by human rights groups. The executions appear to have done little to quell the sectarian violence that has engulfed Iraq since 2003. Ramadan's body, wrapped in an Iraqi flag, was received as a martyr by hundreds of mourners in the northern town of Awja. Gunmen fired in the air in his honour. As requested in his will, he was buried near Saddam's sons and two aides hanged earlier this year, Awad al Bander and Barzan al-Tikriti. Ramadan's final resting place is a grave outside the hall housing Saddam's tomb.

ITN Source | March 21, 2007

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