Star Wars Storm Troopers, a fan-based group known as the "501st Legion" from 22 different countries and 26 U.S. states, march down Colorado Boulevard in the 118th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, Jan. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)



Saddam Hussein Execution

A high-ranking Iraqi government official said that former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will be executed at 6 a.m. on Dec. 30. According to Appeals Judge Munir Haddad yesterday, “All is set for the execution. Saddam Hussein will be hanged on Saturday before dawn at least.”

Saddam’s attorney Issam Jhazzawi stated, “A US official told me that Hussein was moved to the Iraqi authorities and he is not in US custody.” But whether he is in US custody or Iraqi custody is not clear because there has been no certain statement released from US officials.

In either case, it is possible to guess that the execution is imminent based on the news that Saddam was moved to Iraqi authority. His lawyer, Issam Jhazzawi, said that even a previously scheduled meeting with him was cancelled, saying, “The US notified me through an email.”

Conversely, a US official denied Jhazzawi’s assertion, saying, “Hussein is still in US custody.” Despite his denial, Reuters news service reported yesterday that Hussein will be executed within a few hours, quoting a source from a high-ranking Iraqi official.

An Iraqi source said, however, “Something changed during the last three hours, but it is settled for his execution.” He cautiously added that his execution could be delayed until after the period of the Feast of the Sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims around the world at the climax of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

A spokesman from the US Department of Defense briefed reporters that US troops in Iraq are bracing for possible protests and violence if an execution occurs, saying, “They are in emergency status.”
/ 입력시간: 2007. 01.02. 09:47