Funerals for two of Saddam´s aides hold in Baghdad

Source: CCTV.com | 01-17-2007 17:31

The funerals for two of Saddam Hussein's aides have taken place in the city of Ouja, north of Baghdad. 3,000 Sunni's gathered at the site on Monday night, after the top officials were executed earlier that day.

Meanwhile, the execution has triggered mass reaction from around the world as one of the aides, Saddam's half brother, Barzan Ibrahim's head was severed during the hanging.

Hundreds of people assembled in the Sunni-dominated area for the burials, as they fired guns, wept and cursed the current Iraqi government.

Former intelligence chief and half brother to Saddam, Barzan Ibrahim, was hanged, together with the former head of Iraq's Revolutionary Court before dawn in Baghdad.

Monday's execution came more than two weeks after Saddam was hanged in the same gallows.

However, an Iraqi government spokesman said a "rare incident" happened during the hanging of Barzan. Saddam's half brother's head was severed. This has coincided with chaotic scenes at Saddam's hanging creating world criticism. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Barzan's son-in-law said the beheading was "a revenge from the enemy".

Sunni officials have insisted on watching the video of the execution to make sure that Barzan was not "beheaded" after the hanging.

Iraqi authorities say the incident could have been caused by a variety of factors, such as the length and quality of the rope or inexperienced executioners. They insist that the execution video will not be released to the public.

Editor:Du Xiaodan