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Ali Hassan al-Majid, "Chemical Ali," Hanged In Iraq

by Yuliya Talmazan | January 25, 2010 at 08:30 am

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Ali Hassan al-Majid, also know as "Chemical Ali," was hanged today in Iraq, according to Iraqi government sources.

Al-Majid was a former Iraqi Defense Minister, Interior Minister, military commander and chief of Iraqi Intelligence Service during the rule of Saddam Hussein. Al-Majid was allegedly involved in government campaigns against Kurdish rebels and Shia religious dissidents. Chemical Ali got his nickname from allegations by the Kurds that he used chemical weapons, including poisenous gases, against them.

Al-Majid was captured during the 2003 American invasion of Iraq. He was charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Al-Majid has reportedly never expressed remorse during his trials. Chemical Ali was sentenced to death four times and was to be hanged on January 17, 2010.

Majid was "executed by hanging until death," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

"The execution happened without any violations, shouting or cries of joy," he added

Al-Majid's first cousin and former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by the U.S. in 2003 and was similarly sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed in 2006.