SADDAM HUSSEIN HANGED TO DEATH. Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi dictator, was executed at an unspecified location in Iraq before
6.00 am local time, this morning (3.00 am GMT; 8.30 am Indian Standard Time). He had been awarded the death sentence on 5th November, this year, by an Iraqi court for the killing of 148 Shia Muslims in 1982 in Dujail town. His half brother, Barzan, and a former chief justice of his regime were also hanged along with Saddam. A doctor, a lawyer and a cleric were present at the hangings, which were videotaped by the Iraqi government. The news was broken to the world by Iraqi state television. Today is a holiday in Iraq as it is the day when Muslims celebrate the start of Eid Al Adha.Saddam was
dictator of Iraq for 23 years. Among other deaths attributed to him, he also shot dead two of his sons-in-law. In 2003 two of his sons, Uday and Qushai were killed by US forces, and Saddam himself was captured in late 2003, hiding in a hole in the ground. The US State Department warns of possible repercussions and retaliation for this
execution. The dictator may, in death, assume a larger than life image. It is reported that Saddam remained defiant even in his last days.