Saddam remained defiant even in the face of tightening hangman’s noose
The bust of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and the actual rope used to hang him, on display in the living room of former national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie, seen during an interview with the Agence France-Presse (AFP) where he gave details of his execution, on December 23, 2013. FILE PHOTO |
Saddam Hussein, who ruled Iraq for more than two decades marked by brutal repression, disastrous wars and punishing international sanctions, was hanged after being found guilty of crimes against humanity for the 1982 killing of 148 Shiite villagers in Dujail
He was president from July 1979 until the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, and was found by American forces hiding in a hole on a farm in December of that year.
Saddam was executed three years later on December 30, 2006 after a summary trial
Saddam is also held in high regard by some Arabs for his 1980-88 war with Iran, his confrontations with the US, his strikes against Israel, and his composure during his execution, which was recorded on mobile phone videos
Mowaffak Al-Rubaie sits in his office with a statue of Saddam Hussein behind him, the rope used to hang the dictator around its neck, recalling his final minutes.
The former national security adviser, who oversaw Saddam’s 2006 execution, says the dictator remained strong until the end, and never expressed any regret.
