London (KurdishMedia.com) 02 January 2007: A number of media outlets have noticed that the execution of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi president, was a result of a sectarian revenge which carried out by Muqtada al-Sadir group.

The full video of the execution which was released on the internet and which appears to be recorded on a mobile phone reveals some important points which are contrary to the Iraqi officials’ claims.

The video reveals that Saddam Hussein was not a broken man and he was smiling while waiting for his death. This was also noticed by the Kurdish online media outlet Hawlati, which stated that Saddam’s execution video proved contrary to the Iraqi official claims.

For example, the Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie told the BBC that Saddam Hussein went to the gallows quietly: "We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans. He was very, very, very, broken."

The video shows that Saddam did not chant any slogans; he was smiling and only repeated this twice: "I believe that Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his messenger."

According to some sources, 20 people were present during the execution including five hangmen.

Whether al-Ruabaie was present during the execution, it is for him to answer, but he cannot be seen in the video. The fact that mobile phones were taken to the execution ceremony, it shows the informal and unofficial nature of the execution.

The video clearly reveals that the execution carried out in a Shiia sectarian religious ritual. This was also noticed by Hawlati. From the video one can hear guards chanting, "Long live Muhammad Baqir al-Sadir." Muhammad al-Sadir was Muqtada al-Sadir’s father who was executed by Saddam Hussein’s regime. Another one chants, "Muqtada, Muqtada, Muqtada", which is reference to Muqtada al-Sadir, the head of al-Mahdi Army which is responsible of killing hundreds of Sunnis in Iraq.

The sectarian nature of the execution can also be noticed in the timing of the execution. Saddam was executed on the first day of the holy Ed of Adha, which millions of Sunni Muslims perceived it as an insult to their faith. Furthermore, according to Article 290 (No 23 of 1971) of the "Iraqi definitions of punishments for crimes", Saddam’s execution during Ed, as it was reported by online Awene, was illegal. This article states, "No verdict should implemented during the official holidays or religious festivals." Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim by faith; therefore, according to this article, he should have not been executed during Ed, which is also a Sunni holy occasion.

The place of the execution may also add to this claim. Saddam was executed in the "Section 5" of the his "Military Intelligence" building. This was the place were members of the pro-Iranian Shiia group, al-Dawa, were executed by Saddam Hussein’s regime. Al-Dawa is one of the ruling Shiia groups in Iraq today.

Whether Saddam was kidnapped by Muqtada al-Sadir gangs remains as a question; nonetheless it should be a matter of an investigation.

You may watch the video; it can be distressing:

Saddam Hussein's execution

Or via this link:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=863ce7d4a3&o=1