The death of Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein was a grim and chaotic affair, with the man who had once ruled with an iron fist being taunted and jeered as he stood on the gallows
Saddam Hussein governed Iraq with ruthless authority for over two decades, maintaining his grip on the Middle Eastern country through intimidation, violence and absolute power, whilst eliminating anyone who dared oppose him.
However, his rule collapsed in 2006 after a US-led military intervention, and in the early morning of December 30 2006, the man who had once led an entire army found himself standing beneath the gallows, awaiting execution.
Hussein was formally found guilty of crimes against humanity connected to a 1982 atrocity in Dujail, where 148 Shi’ite males and youngsters were savagely murdered after an assassination attempt.
Following an extensive and disputed trial at the Iraqi Special Tribunal, he received a death sentence by hanging.
Saddam had asked to face a firing squad instead, claiming it was the appropriate military penalty for a former head of armed forces, but his appeal was rejected.
During his final hours at Camp Justice in Baghdad, the ex-dictator consumed a last supper of chicken with rice, accompanied by hot water and honey.
He clutched a Qur’an as he was escorted into the execution chamber just before sunrise on the opening day of Eid al-Adha, reports the Mirror.
Those present in the chamber subsequently recounted a charged and disorderly scene.
While certain officials stayed quiet, others mocked him as chants glorifying Islamic cleric Muqtada al-Sadr echoed through the room whilst Saddam stood upon the scaffold, the noose suspended overhead.
Throughout the ordeal, witnesses reported he maintained his composure despite enduring relentless taunts.
When questioned about experiencing fear or regret, he’s said to have responded that he felt no apprehension, declaring instead that his existence had been dedicated to combating aggression.
As the rope was secured round his throat, Saddam started reciting the Shahada, the Islamic profession of faith, his voice rising above the commotion within the execution chamber.
Then came his final six words.
“The Muslim Ummah will be victorious.”
Before he could utter anything further, the trapdoor gave way, and an audible crack resonated as he dropped. Death was confirmed moments afterwards.
Whilst official Iraqi government footage depicted him solely in the seconds preceding his execution, stopping short before the fatal moment, a poor-quality mobile phone clip, covertly recorded inside the chamber, subsequently emerged on the internet.
The recording showed the complete hanging, the sectarian abuse and Hussein’s last defiant words, triggering worldwide condemnation and controversy surrounding the manner of his death.
Hours later, his remains were transported by helicopter to Al-Awja near Tikrit, his birthplace, where he was laid to rest alongside his two sons.
