Iraq hangs seven to death for terrorism

The increasing of executions in Iraq sparked calls by UN mission in Iraq, EU and some global human rights groups to stop Baghdad`s use of capital punishment.

Baghdad: Seven people have been executed over terror charges, the Iraqi government said on Sunday.

"The executions were carried out today by hanging seven terrorists in accordance with Article 4 from the anti-terrorism law," Xinhua quoted the country`s Justice Ministry as saying. The convicts were involved in crimes of killings and bomb attacks against Iraqi citizens, it said. The increasing of executions in Iraq sparked calls by the UN mission in Iraq, the European Union and some international human rights groups to stop Baghdad`s use of capital punishment, criticising the lack of transparency in the proceedings of the country`s courts. Death penalty in Iraq was suspended for over a year after the US-led invasion. Paul Bremer, then US administrator for Iraq, had suspended its use in 2003. The Iraqi government, however, reinstated it in August 2004. IANS