Execution of Saddam Hussein

The execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein took place on 30 December 2006. Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging, after being found guilty of crimes against humanity by the Iraqi Special Tribunal. These charges were mainly because of Hussein's role for the Dujail massacre—the killing of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites in the town of Dujail—in 1982.^[1]

Before being executed, Saddam began to recite the Shahada twice and shouted his hate for America.^[2] When he was at the end of his second recitation when he was about to say "Muhammad", the trapdoor opened, causing Hussein's death.^[3]

The execution was recorded by the Iraqi government. It showed him being taken to the execution location and being put the noose around his neck. Another cellphone video caused controversy after it showed people cheering after his execution.^[4] In the video, the sound of Hussein's neck breaking can be heard.^[5]

1. ↑ "Saddam buried in village of his birth". Associated Press. 31 December 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
2. ↑ "Witness to Saddam's death". BBC. 30 December 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
3. ↑ Unidentified videographer (2006). Video (MMS). Anwarweb. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
4. ↑ Tavernise, Sabrina (1 January 2007). "For Sunnis, Dictator's Degrading End Signals Ominous Dawn for the New Iraq". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
5. ↑ "Saddam Hussein Hanging Video Shows Defiance, Taunts and Glee". National Ledger. 1 January 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2007.