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In Baghdad, Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of crimes against humanity in ordering the deaths of 148 Shiite villagers in 1982. The Iraqi tribunal also handed down death sentences to former revolutionary chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander and Saddam's half brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti for their role in the killings.
Saddam Hussein's former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan was given a life sentence. Three other co-defendants were sentenced to 15 years in prison and one, Mohammad al-Azawy, was found not guilty of the charges and immediately released.
It is unclear when the death sentences will be carried out.
Despite the curfew in place in Baghdad, supporters and opponents of the former dictator have taken to the streets. Police and army are on high alert amid the tense security situation.
(Source: RNW.nl)
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