Iraqi president unsure about court's use of death penalty

Iraq’s President Fuad Masum said he has reservations about the Iraqi court’s issuance of death sentences against criminals.

“I’m not against the death penalty, I have already ratified death sentences that have been pending for years and there are another 700 people sentenced to death awaiting ratification,” Masum said in a statement yesterday.

“I have some reservations on penalty sentences that have been issued against criminals who have nothing to do with terrorism,” Masum said, pointing out that he had not authorised any of his deputies to “sign the death sentences, fearing they will result in revenge.”

Sources close to former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki claimed there are at least 7,000 people sentenced to death who are awaiting presidential ratification.

The Iraqi authorities reinstated the death penalty in 2004, after suspending it during the US troops’ presence in Iraq, drawing international criticism. Some 50 crimes are punishable by the death penalty, including terrorism, kidnapping, murder as well as damages to public property.

Remarking on Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi’s anti-corruption campaign, Masum said: “Although I welcome reforms and support the protesters, Prime Minister Al-Abadi did not consult us on those reforms. I heard about them only through the media.”

“Without pressure from the people, Al-Abadi would have never been able to make those reforms,” he added.