An Iraqi Appeals court upheld the death sentences of Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam Hussein’s cousin and former defense minister, Sultan Hashim al-Tai, former defense minister, and Hussein Rashid al-Tikriti, former deputy director of operations for the Iraqi armed forces.  The men were charged and convicted of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for their role in the Anfal campaign in 1988.  Following their conviction in June, an appeal was immediately filed in a separate court of nine judges.  Now, since their sentences have been confirmed, Iraqi law requires that they be executed within 30 days.

Saddam Hussein was also a defendant in the Anfal cases.  However, following his execution in December 2006, his name was removed.  Similarly, Majid is currently on trial for his role in the suppression of the Shia uprising following the first Gulf War.  Following his eventual execution, his name will be removed from the list of defendants.

Majid, Sultan Hashim, and Hussein Rashid were found guilty of organizing the Anfal campaign in 1988.  During the operation, mustard gas and nerve agents were used in air strikes against the Kurds in northern Iraq, earning Majid the nickname “Chemical Ali”.  It is estimated that over 100,000 Kurds died during the campaign; some estimates reach 180,000.

Appellate judge Munir Hadad stated that the life sentences Farhan Mutlaq Saleh, former head of military intelligence’s eastern regional office, and Sabir al-Douri, former director of military intelligence, were also upheld.

For more information please see:
New York Times:  “Death sentence upheld for Hussein henchmen” 5 September 2007.

Washington Post:  “Death sentences upheld in Iraq for ‘Chemical Ali’, two others” 5 September 2007.

Associated Press:  “Death sentence upheld for ‘Chemical Ali’” 4 September 2007.

BBC:  “‘Chemical Ali’ sentence confirmed” 4 September 2007.

Guardian Unlimited:  “Iraq parliament back; weighs no key laws” 4 September 2007.