Iraqi court releases Saddam execution order

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi High Tribunal in Baghdad published on Thursday a formal written judgement rejecting ousted dictator Saddam Hussein's appeal against a death sentence from crimes against humanity.   

The official release of the judgement, signed by Judge Arif Abdulrazzak Shaheen of the Iraqi High Criminal Court in Baghdad, set in motion the procedures which should lead to Saddam being hanged within 30 days.

"The court decided to endorse the condemnation and punishment of the condemned, Saddam Hussein, Barzan Ibrahim Hassan and Awad Ahmed al-Bandar, by hanging, for committing a deliberate crime against humanity," it said.   

The 17-page ruling was published on the website of the Iraqi High Tribunal, which on November 5 convicted Saddam, his half-brother and intelligence chief Hassan and former judge Bandar of ordering the deaths of 148 Shiite villagers.   

Following the formal release of the judgement, the responsibility for organising the execution of the defendants passes to Iraq's government, court officials said. Iraq's cabinet was in session on Thursday morning.