View source for Execution of Saddam Hussein

{{Short description|2006 execution of former Iraqi president}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Execution of Saddam Hussein
| partof = the [[Iraq War]]
| image = Saddam Hussein at trial, July 2004-edit1.JPEG
| caption = [[Saddam Hussein]] at [[Trial of Saddam Hussein|his trial]] in July 2004
| date = {{start date and age|2006|12|30|df=y}}
| venue = [[Camp Justice (Iraq)|Camp Justice]], [[Kadhimiya]], [[Baghdad]], Iraq
}}
{{Saddam Hussein series}}
[[Saddam Hussein]], the former [[president of Iraq]] was executed on 30 December 2006.<ref name="ap burial">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saddam-buried-in-village-of-his-birth-1.586906|title=Saddam buried in village of his birth|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=31 December 2006|access-date=31 December 2006}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Saddam was sentenced to death by [[hanging]], after [[Trial of Saddam Hussein|being convicted]] of [[crimes against humanity]] by the [[Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal|Iraqi Special Tribunal]] for the [[Dujail massacre]]—the killing of 148 [[Shia Islam in Iraq|Iraqi Shi'ites]] in the town of [[Dujail]]—in 1982, in retaliation for an assassination attempt against him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/world/middleeast/05cnd-saddam.html?em&ex=1162875600&en=a28b7d91d06de1ba&ei=5087%0A|title=Saddam Hussein Is Sentenced to Death|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=5 November 2006 | first=Kirk | last=Semple | archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009021505/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/world/middleeast/05cnd-saddam.html}}</ref>

The [[Federal government of Iraq|Iraqi government]] released an official video of his execution, showing him being led to the gallows, and ending after the hangman's noose was placed over his head. International public controversy arose when a [[mobile phone]] recording of the hanging showed him surrounded by a contingent of his countrymen who jeered him in Arabic and praised the Shia cleric [[Muqtada al-Sadr]], and his subsequent fall through the trap door of the gallows.

Saddam's body was returned to his birthplace of [[Al-Awja]], near [[Tikrit]], on 31 December and was buried near the graves of other family members.

==Background==
{{See also|Capture of Saddam Hussein|Interrogation of Saddam Hussein|Trial of Saddam Hussein}}
After being sentenced to death by an Iraqi court, Saddam requested to be executed by [[Execution by firing squad|firing squad]] rather than hanging, claiming it as the lawful military capital punishment and citing his former position of commander-in-chief of the Iraqi military. This request was denied by the court.<ref name="The Sydney Morning Herald 2006">{{cite web | title=The Sydney Morning Herald 404 Page | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=2006-07-26 | url=http://www.smh.com.au/not-found.html | access-date=2018-02-23 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="The Washington Times 2006">{{cite web | title=Saddam prefers death by shooting | website=The Washington Times | date=2006-01-03 | url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jan/3/20060103-123938-5632r/ | access-date=2018-02-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213005908/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jan/3/20060103-123938-5632r/ | archive-date=13 December 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref> Two days prior to the execution, a letter written by Saddam appeared on the [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party]] website. In the letter, he urged the Iraqi people to unite, and not to hate the people of countries that invaded Iraq, like the United States, but instead the decision-makers. He said he was ready to die as a martyr and that he was at peace with his death sentence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saddam Bids Iraqis Farewell in Letter, Urges Unity|url=http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/36246.html|publisher=RedBolivia|date=28 December 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007234244/http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/36246.html|archive-date=7 October 2007}}</ref> Hours before the execution, Saddam ate his [[last meal]] of chicken and rice with a cup of hot water with honey.

==Execution==
===Time and place===
Saddam was executed by hanging at approximately 05:50 UTC +03:00 on the first day of [[Eid al-Adha]] (30 December 2006).<ref name="msnbc coverage">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16389128|title=Saddam Hussein executed, ending era in Iraq|work=NBC News|date=29 December 2006|access-date=29 December 2006}}</ref><ref name="skynews">{{cite news |date=29 December 2006 |title=Saddam Body Flown Home |publisher=Sky News |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13559626,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=29 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522133111/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/200806413559626 |archive-date=22 May 2011}}</ref> Reports conflicted as to the exact time of the execution, with some sources reporting the time as 06:00, 06:05, or some, as late as 06:10.<ref name="msnbc coverage"/><ref name="skynews"/><ref name="executed 610">{{cite news|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2006/12/31/world/saddam-hanged-but-no-let-up-in-iraq-violence.html|title=Saddam hanged but no let-up in Iraq violence|agency=Reuters|date=31 December 2006|access-date=5 January 2007}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The execution took place at the joint Iraqi-U.S. military base [[Camp Justice (Iraq)|Camp Justice]], located in [[Kadhimiya|Kazimain]], a north-eastern suburb of [[Baghdad]]. Contrary to initial reports, Saddam was executed alone, not at the same time as his co-defendants [[Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti]] and [[Awad Hamed al-Bandar]], who were executed on 15 January 2007. Saddam's cousin [[Ali Hassan al-Majid]] was also sentenced to death and was hanged on 25 January 2010.

===Proceedings===
A senior Iraqi official who was involved in the events leading to Saddam's demise was quoted as saying, "The Americans wanted to delay the execution by 15 days because they weren't keen on having him executed right away, but during the day [before the execution] the prime minister's office provided all the documents they asked for and the Americans changed their minds when they saw the prime minister was very insistent. Then it was just a case of finalizing the details."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78137|title=Iraqi Sunnis vent anger over video of Saddam's fighting|work=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|date=3 January 2007|access-date=3 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105045000/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78137|archive-date=5 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> U.S. military spokesman [[Major general (United States)|Maj. Gen.]] [[William B. Caldwell IV|William Caldwell]] told journalists in Baghdad that after "physical control" of Saddam was given to the Iraqi government, "the multinational force had absolutely no direct involvement with [the execution] whatsoever."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://cbs2.com/national/topstories_story_003084722.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182124/http://cbs2.com/national/topstories_story_003084722.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 September 2007|title=U.S. Distances Itself From Saddam Hanging|work=CBS News|date=3 January 2007|access-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> There were no U.S. representatives present in the execution chamber.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/29/hussein/index.html|title=Hussein executed with 'fear in his face'|work=CNN|date=30 December 2006|access-date=30 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229161008/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/29/hussein/index.html|archive-date=29 December 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sudarsan|last=Raghavan|title=Saddam Hussein is Put to Death|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/29/AR2006122900142.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=30 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809140428/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/29/AR2006122900142.html|archive-date=9 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Reports circulated that Saddam's behavior was "submissive" and that he was carrying the [[Quran|Qur'an]] he had been keeping with him throughout his trial before his execution. Iraqi National Security Advisor [[Mowaffak al-Rubaie]], who was a witness to Saddam's execution, described Saddam as repeatedly shouting "down with the invaders".<ref>{{cite news|title=A Historic Day For Iraq |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,30000-witness_301206_0700,00.html |work=Sky News |date=30 December 2006 |access-date=29 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070122042840/http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,30000-witness_301206_0700,00.html |archive-date=22 January 2007}}</ref> Al-Rubaie reportedly asked Saddam if he had any remorse or fear, to which Saddam replied:

{{quote|No, I am a militant and I have no fear for myself. I have spent my life in [[jihad]] and fighting aggression. Anyone who takes this route should not be afraid.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/world/middleeast/31gallows.html?ex=1325221200&en=472d36ebe903eabd&ei=5088|title=On the Gallows, Curses for U.S. and 'Traitors'|work=The New York Times|first=Marc|last=Santora|date=31 December 2006|access-date=3 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122321/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/world/middleeast/31gallows.html?ex=1325221200&en=472d36ebe903eabd&ei=5088|archive-date=4 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Some witnesses described Saddam as appearing "broken and weak" yet "unrepentant" prior to his hanging.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-02-15 |title=Saddam goes to the gallows |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/saddam-goes-to-the-gallows-1052294 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> While other witnesses described Saddam as calm and defiant yet scornful with his captors.<ref> http://aljazeera.com/news/2006/12/31/video-shows-saddam-being-taunted-2</ref> [[Sami al-Askari]], a witness to the execution, said, "Before the rope was put around his neck, Saddam shouted, '[[Takbir|Allahu Akbar]]. The Muslim [[Ummah]] will be victorious and Palestine is Arab!{{'"}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.enidnews.com/localnews/local_story_364011638.html?keyword=topstory|title=Saddam Hussein dies on the gallows, exiting the Iraqi stage after a long, brutal reign|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=30 December 2006|access-date=30 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906235843/http://enidnews.com/localnews/x518662645/Saddam-Hussein-dies-on-the-gallows-exiting-the-Iraqi-stage-after-a-long-brutal-reign?keyword=topstory|archive-date=6 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Saddam also stressed that the Iraqis should fight the American invaders.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6220087.stm|title=Witness to Saddam's death|work=BBC News|date=30 December 2006|access-date=30 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103120208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6220087.stm|archive-date=3 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> After the rope was secured, guards shouted various rebukes including "Muqtada! Muqtada! Muqtada!" in reference to [[Muqtada al-Sadr]]; Saddam laughed, repeating the name mockingly and rebuked the shouts stating, "Do you consider this bravery?"<ref name="nyt"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CCE38D74-9851-4749-A85F-0B2D729B2C90.htm |title=Attempts to anger Saddam moments before his execution, Al Jazeera, 1 January 2007. |access-date=8 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108202120/http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CCE38D74-9851-4749-A85F-0B2D729B2C90.htm |archive-date=8 January 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/guards-taunted-saddam-in-final-seconds-430436.html |title=Guards taunted Saddam in final seconds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707124956/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/guards-taunted-saddam-in-final-seconds-430436.html |archive-date=7 July 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=28 May 2023 |work=The Independent |date=1 January 2007 |first=Anne |last=Penketh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Witness: Saddam Hussein argued with guards moments before death |work=CNN |date=30 December 2006 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/30/hussein/index.html |access-date=2023-03-14}}</ref><ref name="cnncellphone">
{{cite video |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/world/2006/12/30/lin.hussein.execution.web.video.affl&wm=10 |title=Camera phone in Hussein's execution chamber |date=30 December 2006 |last=Lin |first=Carol |publisher=CNN |access-date=30 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107161218/http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=%2Fvideo%2Fworld%2F2006%2F12%2F30%2Flin.hussein.execution.web.video.affl&wm=10 |archive-date=7 January 2007 |url-status=live |format=Windows Media}}
</ref> A [[Shia Islam|Shi'a]] version of an Islamic prayer was recited by some of those present in the room while Saddam recited a [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] version of an Islamic prayer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saddam hanging taunts evoke ugly past|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6221751.stm|work=BBC News|date=30 December 2006|access-date=1 January 2007|first=John|last=Simpson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107092109/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6221751.stm|archive-date=7 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> One observer told Saddam:

{{quote|Go to hell!}}

Saddam replied,

{{quote|The hell that is Iraq?<ref>{{cite news|title='Fallen tyrant' taunted in Saddam video|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3180350420070101|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907222457/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/01/01/us-iraq-saddam-taunts-idUSL3180350420070101|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|last=Parsons|first=Claudia|work=Reuters|date=31 December 2006|access-date=7 December 2007}}</ref>}}

In response to the heckling of one of the masked guards (the man said "You have destroyed us, you have killed us. You have made us live in destitution!"), Saddam replied: "I have saved you from destitution and misery and destroyed your enemies, the Persians and Americans."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2006-12-31 |title=On the Gallows, Curses for U.S. and 'Traitors' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/world/middleeast/31gallows.html |access-date=2022-05-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The deputy prosecutor, Munqith al-Faroun, responded to hecklers, stating,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Sudarsan |date=31 December 2006 |title=In Hussein's Last Minutes, Jeers and a Cry for Calm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000392.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924163401/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000392.html |archive-date=24 September 2017 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

{{quote|Please, stop. The man is facing an execution.}}

Saddam began to recite the [[Shahada]] twice. Before finishing his second recitation, the trapdoor sprang. His last word was, "[[Muhammad]]."<ref name="cnncellphone"/> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', the executioners "cheer their Shi'ite heroes so persistently that one observer [in the execution chambers] makes a remark about how the effort to rein in militias does not seem to be going well."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/01/world/middleeast/01sunnis.html?ex=1325307600&en=9a4812fde9db44e5&ei=5088|title=For Sunnis, Dictator's Degrading End Signals Ominous Dawn for the New Iraq|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1 January 2007|access-date=1 January 2007|first=Sabrina|last=Tavernise|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122438/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/01/world/middleeast/01sunnis.html?ex=1325307600&en=9a4812fde9db44e5&ei=5088|archive-date=4 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> During the drop, there was an audible crack, indicating that Saddam's [[cervical fracture|neck was broken]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=8&num=10730|title=Saddam Hussein Hanging Video Shows Defiance, Taunts and Glee|work=National Ledger|date=1 January 2007|access-date=20 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323154042/http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=8&num=10730|archive-date=23 March 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> After Saddam was suspended for a few minutes, the doctor present listened with a [[stethoscope]] for a heartbeat. After he detected nothing, the rope was cut, and the body was placed in a coffin. Saddam was confirmed dead at 06:03.<ref name="alarabiya-lasthour">{{cite news|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/Articles/2006/12/31/30360.htm|script-title=ar:شريط يظهر نطقه للشهادتين ومصوّر الإعدام يروي لحظة النهاية تفاصيل الساعة الأخيرة في حياة الرئيس السابق صدام حسي |trans-title=Tape shows last details of Saddam's life|publisher=Al-Arabiya|date=31 December 2006|language=ar|access-date=2 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104191824/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2006/12/31/30360.htm|archive-date=4 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Postmortem stabbings===
According to Talal Misrab, the head guard at Saddam's tomb, who also helped in the burial, Saddam was stabbed six times after he was executed. The head of Saddam's tribe, Sheikh Hasan al-Neda, denies this claim. Mowaffak al-Rubaie stated, "I oversaw the whole process from A–Z and Saddam Hussein's body was not stabbed or mutilated, and he was not humiliated before execution."<ref>{{cite news|last=Haynes|first=Deborah|author-link=Deborah Haynes|date=2008-11-01|title=Saddam Hussein's body was stabbed in the back, says guard|work=[[The Times]]|location=Al-Awja, Iraq|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/saddam-husseins-body-was-stabbed-in-the-back-says-guard-3vmjfw7g2n6|url-status=live|access-date=2008-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122022739/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article5058550.ece|archive-date=22 November 2010}}</ref>

==Burial==
Saddam's body was buried in his birthplace of [[Al-Awja]] in [[Tikrit]], Iraq, near family members, including his two sons [[Uday Hussein|Uday]] and [[Qusay Hussein]], on 31 December 2006 at 04:00 local time (01:00 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]).<ref name="burial">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11669236 |title=Iraqis gather in Saddam hometown after burial |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=2006-12-30 |access-date=2006-12-30}}</ref><ref name="buried with family">{{cite news |date=2006-12-29 |title=Report: Saddam Hussein to be buried with sons |work=[[CNN]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/30/hussein.funeral/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=2006-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101062448/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/30/hussein.funeral/index.html |archive-date=1 January 2007}}</ref><ref name="bbc burial">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6220677.stm |title=Report: Saddam is buried in home village |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2006-12-31 |access-date=2006-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103174220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6220677.stm |archive-date=3 January 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> His body was transported to Tikrit by a U.S. military helicopter, where he was handed over from Iraqi government possession to Sheikh Ali al-Nida, the late head of the Albu Nasir tribe and governor of [[Saladin Governorate|Saladin]]. It was buried about three kilometers (2 mi) from his two sons' bodies, in the same extensive cemetery. Saddam's grave, in a family plot, was dug into the floor of an octagonal, domed building he had ordered the construction of in the 1980s for religious festivals at the site.

Saddam's eldest daughter [[Raghad Hussein|Raghad]], under asylum in Jordan, had asked that "his body be buried in Yemen temporarily until Iraq is liberated and it can be reburied in Iraq", a family spokesperson said by telephone.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30825677.htm |title=Saddam daughter asking body be buried in Yemen |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=2006-12-29 |access-date=2006-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612165056/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30825677.htm |archive-date=12 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The family also said his body might be buried in [[Ramadi]], citing safety concerns, though there are no plans to do this.<ref name="burial"/> The tomb where Saddam's body was buried was later destroyed during fighting between [[Islamic State]] militants and Iraqi forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31901568|title=Saddam's tomb destroyed near Tikrit|date=16 March 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701192257/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31901568|archive-date=1 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Saddam's body had reportedly been removed by a Sunni tribal group before the tomb's destruction.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-saddam-idUSKBN0G61GM20140806|title=Saddam's allies moved his corpse, fearful Shi'ite militias would...|first=Ahmed|last=Rasheed|work=Reuters|date=6 August 2014|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011070926/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-saddam-idUSKBN0G61GM20140806|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media coverage==
The primary news source for the execution was the state-run Iraqi television news station [[Al Iraqiya]], whose announcer said that the "criminal Saddam was hanged to death". A scrolling headline read, "Saddam's execution marks the end of a dark period of Iraq's history". [[Al Arabiya]] reported that Saddam's lawyer had confirmed Saddam's death.<ref name="fox">{{cite news |date=2006-12-29 |title=Saddam Hussein Executed by Hanging in Iraq |work=[[Fox News]] |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240057,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2006-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101040847/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240057,00.html |archive-date=1 January 2007}}</ref>

Major news networks carried official video of the moments leading up to Saddam's execution. The Iraqi government also released pictures of Saddam's dead body in a [[shroud]].

===Mobile phone video===
While officially released footage of the event stopped short of showing the actual execution, an amateur video shot using a mobile phone from a staircase leading up to the gallows surfaced; it contained low-quality footage of the entire hanging.<ref name="cellphone">
{{cite video |url=https://dn720309.ca.archive.org/0/items/saddam-hussein-full-hanging-video-graphic/Saddam%20Hussein%20~%20FULL%20~%20Hanging%20Video%20%20%20Graphic.mp4 |title=Saddam Hussein ~ FULL ~ Hanging Video Graphic |date=2006-12-30 |type=Video |publisher=Internet Archive |year=2006 |people=Unidentified videographer}}
</ref> The amateur footage, unlike the official footage, included sound; witnesses could be heard taunting Saddam at the gallows,<ref name="cellphone2">{{cite news | url = http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20070102/saddam-web-tv.htm | title = Saddam Execution Images Shown on TV, Web | author = Bauder, David | work = International Business Times |date= 2007-01-02 | access-date = 2006-01-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070104165726/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20070102/saddam-web-tv.htm |archive-date = 4 January 2007}}</ref> to which the former president replied "goddamn you."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video shows Saddam being taunted |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/12/31/video-shows-saddam-being-taunted-2 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On 3 January 2007, the Iraqi government arrested the guard who they believed made the mobile phone video. However, it was too late to prevent it from spreading across the Internet.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010300358.html| title = Official Held in Saddam Hanging Video| author = Abdul-Zahra, Qassim| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]| date = 2007-01-03| access-date = 2007-01-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081011031239/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010300358.html| archive-date = 11 October 2008| url-status = live}}</ref> Mowaffak al-Rubaie later held a press conference where he announced that three arrests had been made in connection with the investigation into the video recording and leak.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13259309| title = Arrests made in Saddam video case| author = Richard Engel and the Associated Press| work = [[NBC News]]| date = 2007-01-03| access-date = 2007-01-03}}</ref>

==Reaction==
{{main|Reactions to the execution of Saddam Hussein}}
Reactions to the execution were varied. Criticism came both from Saddam's supporters, who believed it was unjust, and non-supporters, who either wanted additional judgement regarding other crimes besides those he was convicted for and those who approved of his conviction but not of capital punishment. Some supporters considered him a [[martyr]].<ref name="alarabiya-raghad">{{cite news |date=2007-01-01 |title=طفل باكستاني يشنق نفسه أثناء اللعب مقلدا إعدام صدام حسين |language=ar |trans-title=Raghad Saddam Hussein attends a protest in Jordan to protest the execution of her father |publisher=Al-Arabiya |url=http://www.alarabiya.net/Articles/2007/01/01/30399.htm |access-date=2 January 2007 |archive-date=7 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145106/https://www.alarabiya.net/Articles/2007/01/01/30399.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Copycat hangings===
There were reports of [[copycat suicide|copycat]] deaths influenced by the media coverage. Sergio Pelico, a 10-year-old boy in [[Webster, Texas|Webster]], [[Texas]], United States, hanged himself in his bedroom. His mother stated that the boy had previously watched a news report about Saddam's execution and decided to hang himself as a form of experimentation. In [[Multan]], [[Pakistan]], a 9-year-old boy also died apparently copying the televised execution; his 10-year-old sister assisted with the hanging. A 15-year-old girl from [[Kolkata]], India was reported to have hanged herself after becoming extremely depressed by watching the execution. Copycat hangings were blamed for the deaths of seven people worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/update_detail.asp?id=15802 |title=Children die worldwide after seeing Saddam hang |work=The News International |accessdate=24 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023711/http://www.thenews.com.pk/update_detail.asp?id=15802 |archivedate=30 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>"[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16624940 Copycat hangings follow Saddam execution]." ''[[NBC News]]''. 14 January 2007.</ref>

==Legality==
[[Human Rights Watch]] issued a statement that the "execution follows a flawed trial and marks a significant step away from the rule of law in Iraq".<ref name="hrw">{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/12/30/iraq14950.htm|title=Iraq: Saddam Hussein Put to Death|access-date=30 December 2006|date=30 December 2006|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104080629/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/12/30/iraq14950.htm|archive-date=4 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] issued a statement that it "opposed the death penalty in all circumstances but it was especially egregious when this ultimate punishment is imposed after an unfair trial".<ref name="ai">{{cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/pages/irq-281206-statement-eng|title=Amnesty International condemns Iraqi Appeal Court verdict against Saddam Hussein and co-accused|access-date=30 December 2006|date=30 December 2006|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103205025/http://web.amnesty.org/pages/irq-281206-statement-eng|archive-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> Two days before the execution, the [[International Federation for Human Rights|International Federation of Human Rights]] released a statement calling upon the head of state to issue a moratorium on the death sentence pronounced against Saddam by hanging. The organization also said Saddam should be treated as a [[prisoner of war]] under the [[Geneva Conventions]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iraq: No to death penalty ratification!
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070112172456/http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3925
| archive-date= 12 January 2007
| date = 27 December 2006
|url=https://www.fidh.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=3925|access-date=2023-03-14|website=International Federation for Human Rights}}</ref> Lawyers for Saddam called the trial "a flagrant violation of international law" and plan to continue "using all legal paths available locally and internationally until public opinion gets the truth about this political assassination".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_2050104,00.html |title=Saddam a martyr – lawyers |work=News24.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222224749/http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_2050104,00.html |archive-date=22 December 2007 |url-status=dead |date=30 December 2006}}</ref> In a separate statement, Saddam's American defense lawyer called the execution "an unfortunate display of arrogant aggressor's justice by the United States of America under the leadership of American President George W. Bush. It sets back achievements in international criminal law many decades and sends a clear message to people all over the world that the United States' aggression cannot be stopped by the law. It is truly a sad day for international justice and sad beginning to a new year."<ref>{{cite web
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070902023658/http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/12/saddam-lawyers-decry-political.php
| archive-date= 2 September 2007
| work = Jurist
| publisher= University of Pittsburgh School of Law
| date = 30 December 2006
| title= Saddam lawyers decry 'political assassination' in statement
| first = Desiree N. | last= Williams
| url = http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/12/saddam-lawyers-decry-political.php
| url-status=unfit
}}</ref> [[Juan Cole]] said that the execution might lead to more sectarian turmoil. "The trial and execution of Saddam were about revenge, not justice. Instead of promoting national reconciliation, this act of revenge helped Saddam portray himself one last time as a symbol of Sunni Arab resistance, and became one more incitement to sectarian warfare", he said.<ref>{{ cite web
| first = Juan | last = Cole
| author-link=Juan Cole
| url =http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/12/30/saddam/index.html
| title= Saddam: The death of a dictator
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418085751/http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/12/30/saddam/index.html |archive-date=18 April 2008 
| work=Salon
| date =30 December 2006
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>

However, other legal experts disagreed with these assertions and claims. [[Miranda Sissons]], at the time an independent observer of the trial<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/world/human-rights-activist-miranda-sissons-maybe-the-answer-to-facebooks-digital-hate-woes/355716/ | title=Human rights activist Miranda Sissons maybe the answer to Facebook's digital hate woes | website=[[ThePrint]] | date=29 January 2020 }}</ref> and a senior associate at the International Center for Transitional Justice, stated, "This was not a sham trial", and added the Iraqi judges presiding over the trial did "their best to try this case to an entirely new standard for Iraq".<ref name="NYT 2006-11-06">{{cite news |last1=Preston |first1=Julia |author-link=Julia Preston|date=6 November 2006 |title=Hussein Trial Was Flawed but Reasonably Fair, and Verdict Was Justified, Legal Experts Say |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/world/middleeast/06trial.html |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Jonathan Drimmer, winner of the first U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Award for Human Rights Law Enforcement<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bsr.org/en/about/staff-bio/jonathan-drimmer | title=Jonathan Drimmer &#124; Our People |publisher=Business for Social Responsibility }}</ref> and a teacher at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, when asked if the trial met the standards of international justice said, "The answer is no. But to look at the ultimate verdict, it certainly is consistent with the evidence presented", and further added the trial was both "a transparent proceeding" and "a major step for Iraq".<ref name="NYT 2006-11-06"/> [[Michael Scharf]], a professor at [[Case Western Reserve University School of Law]] at the time, who also advised the Iraqi tribunal during the trial, responding to accusations by Saddam's defense team stated, "The U.S. government was not the puppet master of this tribunal" and added, "Saddam was convicted on the strength of his own documents", referring to documents signed by Saddam himself approving execution orders.<ref name="NYT 2006-11-06"/>

==Perception of the Iraqi government==
Following the leaking of mobile phone footage of Saddam Hussein's execution, along with the detention on 3 January 2007, of a guard under the Justice Ministry headed by Sunni Iraqi minister [[Hashim Abderrahman al-Shibli]], suspicions have arisen that the ministry may have intended to inflame sectarian tensions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/03/saddam.execution/index.html|title=More arrests expected from Hussein execution video|work=CNN|date=3 January 2007|access-date=3 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104235816/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/03/saddam.execution/index.html|archive-date=4 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with {{lang|it|[[La Repubblica]]}} on 19 January 2007, Muqtada al-Sadr said that the people who were in the room during execution were "people paid to discredit him" and the purpose of the unofficial video was to "make Muqtada look like the real enemy of the Sunnis".<ref>{{cite news |date=19 January 2007 |title=Un esercito segreto contro di noi ma gli sciiti sapranno resistere |language=it |trans-title=A secret army against us but the Shiites will be able to resist |work=[[La Repubblica]] |url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/01/sezioni/esteri/iraq-108/intervista-sadr/intervista-sadr.html |access-date=4 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606040026/http://www.repubblica.it/2007/01/sezioni/esteri/iraq-108/intervista-sadr/intervista-sadr.html |archive-date=6 June 2011}}{{pb}}Translated at {{cite news |title=Moqtada's interview at La Repubblica |url=http://justworldnews.org/archives/002346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209045355/http://justworldnews.org/archives/002346.html |archive-date=9 February 2007 |translator=[[Helena Cobban]]}}</ref>

U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] mentioned on 4 January 2007 that he wished that the execution "had gone on in a more dignified way".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saddam-s-execution-could-have-been-more-dignified-bush-1.661744|title=Saddam's execution could have been more 'dignified': Bush|work=CBC News|date=5 January 2007|access-date=6 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107021447/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saddam-s-execution-could-have-been-more-dignified-bush-1.661744|archive-date=7 January 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush later stated, in a 16 January 2007 interview with U.S. television host [[Jim Lehrer]], that Saddam's execution "looked like it was kind of a revenge killing". Bush said he was "disappointed and felt like they fumbled the Saddam Hussein execution. It reinforced doubts in people's minds that the [[Al Maliki I Government|Maliki government]] and the unity government of Iraq is a serious government. And it sent a mixed signal to the American people and the people around the world."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/jan-june07/bush_01-16.html|title=President Bush Defends Decision to Send Additional Troops to Iraq|work=The Online NewsHour|publisher=PBS|date=16 January 2007|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119195715/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/jan-june07/bush_01-16.html|archive-date=19 January 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iraq|Law}}
* [[Killing of Muammar Gaddafi]]
* [[Killing of Qusay and Uday Hussein]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
<!-- These video links are not to be deleted or censored, as per consensus on talk page -->
* {{YouTube|id=fII8DgMfdUc|title=Video of execution}}

{{Saddam Hussein}}
{{Iraq War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hussein, Saddam}}
[[Category:Trial of Saddam Hussein|*]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in Iraq]]
[[Category:Filmed executions in Iraq]]
[[Category:21st-century executions by Iraq]]
[[Category:Al-Kadhimayn]]
[[Category:December 2006 in Iraq]]
[[Category:2006 in Baghdad]]
[[Category:Baghdad in the Iraq War]]
[[Category:Political history of Baghdad]]
[[Category:Iraq War legal issues]]
[[Category:2006 in law]]

[[es:Sadam Husein#Ejecución]]