Iraq hangs 13 insurgents for committing crimes

Baghdad, Mar 10: Iraq executed 13 insurgents yesterday (Mar 09, 2006) after they confessed to taking part in 'crimes against Iraqis' in northern Iraq, state television said.

Iraqiya TV said one of them had confessed to being hired by foreign groups.

Iraq executed three men in September after a court in the Shi'ite city of Kut convicted them of killing three policemen, as well as of kidnap and rape.

''They have confessed they are responsible for many crimes which frightened the citizens in Nineveh,'' the television said, quoting a cabinet statement.

The government argues capital punishment will help deter criminals. Human rights groups and the United Nations had hoped Iraq would refrain from using the death penalty and had urged the government not to carry out any death sentences.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said he opposes capital punishment, not even against Saddam Hussein himself, and has delegated responsibility to one of his vice-presidents.

Reuters