IRAQ: FIRST PUBLIC EXECUTION SINCE SADDAM HUSSEIN’S RULE

November 2, 2009: the Iraqi Government will publicly execute Muhanned al-Aweni for the murder of Muntadher al-Mussewi, 11.
The public response to the murder has led the Government to make plans for the first public execution since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Officials designated a spot outside the home of the dead boy for the hanging. On September 30, Muntadher was kidnapped by Muhanned al-Aweni for ransom. Despite receiving the money the boy was bludgeoned to death.
No date has been set because the official sentencing has yet to take place, but that seems a formality.
Iraq executed at least 34 people in 2008, and plans to put to death another 128 by the end of 2009 in batches of 20 at a time. At least nine women are on death row. (Sources: Times Online, 02/11/2009)