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Saddam Hussein's top aides hanged Saddam Hussein's top aides hanged
(30 minutes later)
The half-brother of Saddam Hussein and the former head of Iraq's Revolutionary Court have been hanged in Baghdad. Two of Saddam Hussein's key aides have been hanged in Baghdad, two weeks after the chaotic execution of the former Iraqi president.
Barzan al-Tikriti and Awad Hamad al-Bandar were convicted over the killing of 148 Shias after an attempt on Saddam Hussein's life in 1982. Officials stressed this time there had been "no violations", but Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, was decapitated as he hung.
Officials were quick to stress that "no violations" were reported during the executions, after the chaotic scenes surrounding that of Saddam Hussein. Barzan and Awad Hamad al-Bandar, a top judge under the regime, were convicted over the killing of 148 Shias in 1982.
But Barzan al-Tikriti was decapitated during the hanging, a spokesman said. The country's president Jalal Talabani had urged their executions be delayed.
He described this as "normal", although rare, and as "an act of God". A spokesman said the decapitation of Tikriti was not abnormal, although it was rare, and described it as "an act of God".
The executions apparently took place in the same building where Saddam Hussein was put to death on 30 December after being convicted of the same crime.The executions apparently took place in the same building where Saddam Hussein was put to death on 30 December after being convicted of the same crime.
The manner of his execution has sparked controversy around the world, after unofficial mobile phone footage was released showing him being taunted and insulted in his final moments.The manner of his execution has sparked controversy around the world, after unofficial mobile phone footage was released showing him being taunted and insulted in his final moments.
Iraq's Shia-dominated government pledged a full investigation, and last week Iraqi President Jalal Talabani urged authorities to delay the executions of his aides. Iraq's Shia-dominated government pledged a full investigation, and this time everyone present at the facility had signed a document pledging appropriate behaviour, the government spokesman said.
They have now been carried out, the spokesman said, but this time, he stressed, everyone present at the facility had signed a document pledging appropriate behaviour. No official footage has as yet been released of the executions.
There has as yet been no official footage released of the executions.
'Key target'Key target
Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti was the former Iraqi leader's half-brother and served as the head of his feared secret police, the Mukhabarat.Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti was the former Iraqi leader's half-brother and served as the head of his feared secret police, the Mukhabarat.
Profile: Awad Hamad al-Bandar Profile: Barzan al-Tikriti Profile: Awad Hamad al-Bandar Profile: Barzan al-Tikriti
He was a senior figure in the Iraqi government at the time of the US-led invasion of 2003 and was a key target for capture.He was a senior figure in the Iraqi government at the time of the US-led invasion of 2003 and was a key target for capture.
Awad Hamad al-Bandar was chief justice of the Iraqi Revolutionary Court. According to his indictment, he conducted show trials which often led to summary death sentences.Awad Hamad al-Bandar was chief justice of the Iraqi Revolutionary Court. According to his indictment, he conducted show trials which often led to summary death sentences.
He was the head of the Revolutionary Court which issued death sentences against residents of the town of Dujail in the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt on the president on 8 July 1982. The court he headed issued death sentences against residents of the town of Dujail in the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt on the president on 8 July 1982.
His lawyers argued that he had simply been following the letter of Iraqi law, as it was written at the time, and also denied that he had ordered the execution of juveniles.