Iraq executes 23 despite international calls to stop

Iraq executes 23 despite international calls to stop

Xinhua

BAGHDAD, Oct. 8, 2012 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Justice on Monday announced that it has executed a total of 23 convicted prisoners during the past five days over terror and criminal charges. In a statement, the ministry said it has carried out six death sentences on Monday morning, four of which were over terror charges and two over criminal acts. A total of 23 people have been executed by hanging since Thursday, the statement said. "The number of prisoners who have been executed for terror and criminal charges so far in this year reached to 102, including five female terrorist," it added. The executions in Iraq sparked calls by the United Nations mission in Iraq, European Union and international groups of human rights to stop Baghdad's use of capital punishment, criticizing the lack of transparency in the proceedings of the country's courts. Death penalty in Iraq was suspended for over a year after the U. S.-led invasion of the country. Paul Bremer, then U.S. administrator for Iraq, suspended its use on June 10, 2003. However, the Iraqi government reinstated capital punishment on Aug. 8, 2004, saying that it would curb the widespread violence in the country. Since then, scores of people have been executed, including the toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.