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UN appeals to Iraq on executions UN appeals to Iraq on executions
(about 2 hours later)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has appealed to Iraq not to execute two top officials from former president Saddam Hussein's rule.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has appealed to Iraq not to execute two top officials from former president Saddam Hussein's rule.
Ms Arbour said concerns she had about the fairness of Saddam Hussein's trial also applied to his co-defendants.Ms Arbour said concerns she had about the fairness of Saddam Hussein's trial also applied to his co-defendants.
The plea follows speculation that Mr Hussein's half-brother, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, and former chief judge Awad al-Bandar are to be hanged soon.The plea follows speculation that Mr Hussein's half-brother, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, and former chief judge Awad al-Bandar are to be hanged soon.
They were sentenced to death over the killings of 148 Shias in the 1980s.They were sentenced to death over the killings of 148 Shias in the 1980s.
Ms Arbour said she had appealed directly to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani not to carry out the sentences.Ms Arbour said she had appealed directly to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani not to carry out the sentences.
She said that under international law the men should have the chance to seek a pardon or have their sentences commuted.She said that under international law the men should have the chance to seek a pardon or have their sentences commuted.
CO-DEFENDANTS Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti - Saddam Hussein's half-brother, former head of the intelligence serviceAwad al Bandar - former chief judge of Revolutionary Court Verdicts in detail CO-DEFENDANTS Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti - Saddam Hussein's half-brother, former head of the intelligence serviceAwad al Bandar - former chief judge of Revolutionary Court Verdicts in detail
The two men had been scheduled to die on Saturday, alongside the former Iraqi leader. No reason was given for the delay.The two men had been scheduled to die on Saturday, alongside the former Iraqi leader. No reason was given for the delay.
There has been widespread speculation in Iraq that the executions will go ahead after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, which ends on Thursday.There has been widespread speculation in Iraq that the executions will go ahead after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, which ends on Thursday.
But one Iraqi government official, Sami al-Askari, denied that a date had been set for the executions.But one Iraqi government official, Sami al-Askari, denied that a date had been set for the executions.
Mobile phoneMobile phone
Ms Arbour made a similar appeal before Saddam Hussein was executed.Ms Arbour made a similar appeal before Saddam Hussein was executed.
Her plea, backed by the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, comes amid growing controversy over the circumstances surrounding Saddam Hussein's hanging.Her plea, backed by the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, comes amid growing controversy over the circumstances surrounding Saddam Hussein's hanging.
On Wednesday, the Iraqi government began an investigation into taunts directed at Saddam Hussein before his execution and the illicit footage shot at the time.On Wednesday, the Iraqi government began an investigation into taunts directed at Saddam Hussein before his execution and the illicit footage shot at the time.
Iraqi officials said that at least one guard present at the hanging was being questioned over the unofficial mobile phone video.Iraqi officials said that at least one guard present at the hanging was being questioned over the unofficial mobile phone video.
National Security Advisor Mouwaffaq al-Rubaie condemned the appearance of the footage, calling it an attempt to widen sectarian divides.National Security Advisor Mouwaffaq al-Rubaie condemned the appearance of the footage, calling it an attempt to widen sectarian divides.
A US military spokesman in Iraq, Maj-Gen William Caldwell, said the execution would have been handled differently if the US has been involved. A US military spokesman in Iraq, Maj-Gen William Caldwell, said the execution would have been handled differently if the US had been involved.