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Iraq investigates Saddam footage Iraq investigates Saddam footage
(about 2 hours later)
The Iraqi government has launched an inquiry into unofficial mobile phone footage showing the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi government has launched an inquiry into unofficial mobile phone footage showing the execution of former leader Saddam Hussein.
The mobile phone footage showed he exchanged taunts and insults with witnesses at his hanging on Saturday.The mobile phone footage showed he exchanged taunts and insults with witnesses at his hanging on Saturday.
The grainy video showed the former leader being told to "go to hell" by someone attending the hanging.The grainy video showed the former leader being told to "go to hell" by someone attending the hanging.
One of the trial prosecutors who saw the execution said he threatened to halt it if the jeering did not stop.One of the trial prosecutors who saw the execution said he threatened to halt it if the jeering did not stop.
Munkith al-Faroon - who can be heard appealing for order on the unofficial video - said that he had threatened to walk out.Munkith al-Faroon - who can be heard appealing for order on the unofficial video - said that he had threatened to walk out.
This could have halted the execution, as a prosecution observer must, by law, be present.This could have halted the execution, as a prosecution observer must, by law, be present.
Mr Faroon also said he knew "two top officials... had their mobile phones with them [at the execution]. There were no mobile phones allowed at that time."Mr Faroon also said he knew "two top officials... had their mobile phones with them [at the execution]. There were no mobile phones allowed at that time."
Do you consider this bravery? Saddam Hussein, on new video Video shows execution taunts John Simpson analysisDo you consider this bravery? Saddam Hussein, on new video Video shows execution taunts John Simpson analysis
The Iraqi authorities fear the footage, released on the internet hours after the execution, could contribute to a dramatic rise in sectarian tensions between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities.The Iraqi authorities fear the footage, released on the internet hours after the execution, could contribute to a dramatic rise in sectarian tensions between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities.
"There were a few guards who shouted slogans that were inappropriate and that's now the subject of a government investigation," an adviser to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Sami al-Askari, told Reuters news agency."There were a few guards who shouted slogans that were inappropriate and that's now the subject of a government investigation," an adviser to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Sami al-Askari, told Reuters news agency.
The BBC's Peter Greste, in Baghdad, says Iraq's government is desperate to clear the air, having hoped that the execution would signal the start of the reconciliation process between the Sunni and Shia communities.The BBC's Peter Greste, in Baghdad, says Iraq's government is desperate to clear the air, having hoped that the execution would signal the start of the reconciliation process between the Sunni and Shia communities.
I think whoever was involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves John Prescott Today interview Death scenes 'deplorable' Saddam Hussein, a Sunni Muslim, was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November over the killings of 148 Shias from the town of Dujail in the 1980s. I think whoever was involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves John Prescott Today interview Death scenes 'deplorable'
But an internet message claiming to be from Saddam Hussein's fugitive deputy, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, said the execution would reinforce the anti-US insurgency.
"Assassinating a leader will only strengthen the will of the Baath Party... and increase their determination to escalate their jihad," the message said.
Violence
Saddam Hussein, a Sunni Muslim, was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November over the killings of 148 Shias from the town of Dujail in the 1980s.
He was executed before dawn on Saturday in Baghdad and buried near his hometown of Tikrit a day later.He was executed before dawn on Saturday in Baghdad and buried near his hometown of Tikrit a day later.
The daily cycle of violence in Iraq has continued since the execution.The daily cycle of violence in Iraq has continued since the execution.
In the latest developments:In the latest developments:
  • A US marine killed an Iraqi soldier in an apparent fight at security post in the western town of Falluja
  • A US marine killed an Iraqi soldier in an apparent fight at security post in the western town of Falluja
  • Gunmen shot and killed a provincial politician and three others travelling with him in Diyala province, officials said
  • Gunmen shot and killed a provincial politician and three others travelling with him in Diyala province, officials said
  • US forces killed a suspected al-Qaeda weapons dealer and two others in Baghdad on Tuesday, the military said
  • US forces killed a suspected al-Qaeda weapons dealer and two others in Baghdad on Tuesday, the military said
  • Three people died and seven others were wounded when a bomb hidden in a pile of rubbish exploded in a mixed Sunni-Shia area of Baghdad.
  • Three people died and seven others were wounded when a bomb hidden in a pile of rubbish exploded in a mixed Sunni-Shia area of Baghdad
  • Police said 45 bodies were found in Baghdad, apparent victims of the sectarian violence
    • Chants and insultsChants and insults
    The Iraq authorities released official footage of Saddam Hussein's execution to prove to the public that he was dead. The Iraqi authorities released official footage of Saddam Hussein's execution to prove to the public that he was dead.
    But that film did not include any sound and did not show the actual moment of death.But that film did not include any sound and did not show the actual moment of death.
    The grainy mobile phone footage that emerged hours later was shot from below the gallows.The grainy mobile phone footage that emerged hours later was shot from below the gallows.
    HAVE YOUR SAY I lived through the bloody war that Saddam started with Iran. But still I am not happy with Saddam's execution Alireza Pahlavani, Tehran Send us your comments As Saddam Hussein is led towards the trapdoor, one of the unseen observers shouts "go to hell".HAVE YOUR SAY I lived through the bloody war that Saddam started with Iran. But still I am not happy with Saddam's execution Alireza Pahlavani, Tehran Send us your comments As Saddam Hussein is led towards the trapdoor, one of the unseen observers shouts "go to hell".
    Others can be heard chanting the name of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr and of Muhammad Sadiq Sadr, his father who was murdered by Saddam Hussein's agents.Others can be heard chanting the name of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr and of Muhammad Sadiq Sadr, his father who was murdered by Saddam Hussein's agents.
    In response Saddam Hussein is sarcastic, asking "do you consider this bravery?"In response Saddam Hussein is sarcastic, asking "do you consider this bravery?"
    In a BBC interview, UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott called it "deplorable" and "totally unacceptable" that video clips of the execution had surfaced on the internet. In a BBC interview, UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott condemned the surfacing of video clips on the internet.
    Mr Prescott is in charge while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday. "Frankly, to get the kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable," he said.
    "I think the manner was quite deplorable really," he said. "I don't think one can endorse in any way that, whatever your views about capital punishment.
    "Frankly, to get the kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable, and I think whoever was involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves."