An Iraqi judge has handed death sentences to three former officials in Saddam Hussein's regime for slayings and abuses against Shiites a decade ago. According to the AP, the defendants include Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali," for ordering poison gas attacks in the 1980s.
This is Chemical Ali's third death sentence for brutalities during Saddam's rule. The sentences Monday are for a 1999 crackdown that sought to quell a Shiite uprising following the slaying of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad al-Sadr. His supporters blame the killing on Saddam's agents.
A former intelligence chief and a former top Baath party official also got death sentences. Three other former Saddam officials received life sentences while two were acquitted, including former Foreign Minster Tariq Aziz.
