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Tight curfew after Saddam verdict Curfew eased after Saddam verdict
(29 minutes later)
The Iraqi capital Baghdad remains under an indefinite curfew a day after former leader Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Iraqi authorities have begun to lift a round-the-clock curfew in Baghdad, a day after Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
Correspondents say the curfew seems to be working and streets in the city are deserted, despite fears that the guilty verdict could fuel sectarian violence. Civilians were allowed back on the streets in the capital and two other provinces, but vehicles remain banned until Tuesday morning.
The sentence sparked delight in Shia towns, but protests among some Sunnis. Streets had been deserted for two days in anticipation of the verdict.
An automatic appeal will be launched against the verdict and is due to be heard by a panel of nine judges. An automatic appeal will be launched against the sentence and is due to be heard by a panel of nine judges.
On Sunday, the former Iraqi leader was sentenced to death by hanging over the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.On Sunday, the former Iraqi leader was sentenced to death by hanging over the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.
The appeals process for Saddam Hussein and six co-defendants - two of whom were sentenced to death, one to life in prison and three to 15-year jail terms - is expected to take only a few weeks.The appeals process for Saddam Hussein and six co-defendants - two of whom were sentenced to death, one to life in prison and three to 15-year jail terms - is expected to take only a few weeks.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Guilty verdicts on murder charges are automatically sent to appellate panel within 10 daysIt can take as little as 20 days for the appeal to be heardIf sentence is upheld, execution must be carried out within 30 daysIraq's tripartite presidency must sign the execution papersSentence may be delayed to allow conclusion to Anfal trial Q&A: Verdict and appeal Verdicts in detail In pictures: Iraq's reaction If the sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days of the decision.WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Guilty verdicts on murder charges are automatically sent to appellate panel within 10 daysIt can take as little as 20 days for the appeal to be heardIf sentence is upheld, execution must be carried out within 30 daysIraq's tripartite presidency must sign the execution papersSentence may be delayed to allow conclusion to Anfal trial Q&A: Verdict and appeal Verdicts in detail In pictures: Iraq's reaction If the sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days of the decision.
The BBC's John Simpson in Baghdad says the hangings could therefore take place within two or three months, although there are a lot of question marks over the process.The BBC's John Simpson in Baghdad says the hangings could therefore take place within two or three months, although there are a lot of question marks over the process.
Some legal experts have argued that Saddam Hussein's ongoing trial for atrocities committed against the Kurdish population should be allowed to reach a verdict before he is executed.Some legal experts have argued that Saddam Hussein's ongoing trial for atrocities committed against the Kurdish population should be allowed to reach a verdict before he is executed.
But Iraqi officials say the hanging would not be delayed artificially to allow this to take place.But Iraqi officials say the hanging would not be delayed artificially to allow this to take place.
Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers have told the BBC that they have not received official notification of the death sentence, which they say is required before they launch their appeal.Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers have told the BBC that they have not received official notification of the death sentence, which they say is required before they launch their appeal.
Our correspondent says that although this is a technicality, it shows how ineffectual a lot of the rules and regulations governing the trial process have been.Our correspondent says that although this is a technicality, it shows how ineffectual a lot of the rules and regulations governing the trial process have been.
'Milestone''Milestone'
The judgement has been met with mixed reactions in Iraq and around the world.The judgement has been met with mixed reactions in Iraq and around the world.
Shortly after the verdict there were jubilant scenes in Baghdad's Shia district of Sadr City, and in the holy city of Najaf.Shortly after the verdict there were jubilant scenes in Baghdad's Shia district of Sadr City, and in the holy city of Najaf.
But in Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit there was fury, as supporters of the former president defied a curfew to parade with photographs of their hero.But in Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit there was fury, as supporters of the former president defied a curfew to parade with photographs of their hero.
Iraqi authorities fear clashes may ensue after the verdictEnlarge ImageIraqi authorities fear clashes may ensue after the verdictEnlarge Image
Almost three years since his capture, soaring sectarian violence has brought Iraq to the brink of civil war - and correspondents say few Iraqis think the trial verdict will ease the conflict.Almost three years since his capture, soaring sectarian violence has brought Iraq to the brink of civil war - and correspondents say few Iraqis think the trial verdict will ease the conflict.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has hailed the sentence as a "verdict on a whole dark era".The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has hailed the sentence as a "verdict on a whole dark era".
President Bush called the verdict a "milestone" in the efforts of the Iraqi people "to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law".President Bush called the verdict a "milestone" in the efforts of the Iraqi people "to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law".
White House spokesman Tony Snow denied suggestions that the timing of the verdict had been orchestrated to coincide with crucial mid-term elections as "preposterous".White House spokesman Tony Snow denied suggestions that the timing of the verdict had been orchestrated to coincide with crucial mid-term elections as "preposterous".
Execution concernsExecution concerns
Several European leaders welcomed the guilty verdict, but there has also been concern over the use of the death sentence.Several European leaders welcomed the guilty verdict, but there has also been concern over the use of the death sentence.
Finland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU and is opposed to the death penalty, called on Iraq to refrain from carrying out the execution. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain opposed the death penalty "whether it's Saddam or anybody else".
HAVE YOUR SAY This is just another sad episode in the tragic drama of Iraq Mohammed, Iraq Send us your comments Voices from Iraq: reaction Celebrations and protests UN human rights chief Louise Arbour called for a moratorium on executions and said the defendants' rights to a fair appeal must be "fully respected". HAVE YOUR SAY This is just another sad episode in the tragic drama of Iraq Mohammed, Iraq Send us your comments Voices from Iraq: reaction Celebrations and protests Finland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU and is opposed to the death penalty, called on Iraq to refrain from carrying out the execution.
UN human rights chief Louise Arbour called for a moratorium on executions and said the defendants' rights to a fair appeal must be "fully respected".
The verdict was welcomed in Kuwait, which was invaded by the former Iraqi president in 1990, and Iran, which fought a bitter war with Iraq in the 1980s.The verdict was welcomed in Kuwait, which was invaded by the former Iraqi president in 1990, and Iran, which fought a bitter war with Iraq in the 1980s.
But the Palestinian ruling party, Hamas, condemned the sentence as politically motivated, remembering support Saddam Hussein had given the Palestinian people.But the Palestinian ruling party, Hamas, condemned the sentence as politically motivated, remembering support Saddam Hussein had given the Palestinian people.
Many critics have dismissed the trial as a form of victors' justice, given the close attention the US has paid to it.Many critics have dismissed the trial as a form of victors' justice, given the close attention the US has paid to it.
Amnesty International described the trial as a "shabby affair, marred by serious flaws".Amnesty International described the trial as a "shabby affair, marred by serious flaws".
Saddam Hussein's defence team has accused the government of interfering in the proceedings - a complaint backed by US group Human Rights Watch.Saddam Hussein's defence team has accused the government of interfering in the proceedings - a complaint backed by US group Human Rights Watch.
The process was marked by frequent interruptions by defendants and their lawyers and problems with security.The process was marked by frequent interruptions by defendants and their lawyers and problems with security.