Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali," is the former defense minister of Iraq, and cousin of Saddam Hussein. He was convicted for the fourth time in an Iraqi court in March 2009, receiving a sentence for 15 years. Previously, al-Majid had received three death sentences.The New York Times: Hussein Spokesman Convicted... (March 11, 2009) His execution has been delayed multiple times for various reasons.
Background
Hassan al-Majid earned the name "Chemical Ali" after he ordered a chemical weapons attack on a village of Iraqi Kurds in 1988, an act that killed thousands.Al Jazeera: 'Chemical Ali' Execution Approved (February 29, 2008) Al-Majid has been sentenced to death twice for his role in crimes against humanity. On December 2, 2008, al-Majid was sentenced to death for his role in the slaughter of Shiiite Muslims following the Persian Gulf War in 1991.FOXNews.com: 'Chemical Ali' Sentenced to Death in Iraq (December 2, 2008)
In June 2007, al-Majid was convicted on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In February 2008, Iraq's Presidency Council sentenced him to death by hanging.
Ali Hassan al-Majid Commentary
- BuzzFlash.com: The Death and Resurrection of "Chemical Ali"
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
First cousin to Saddam Hussein
-
Fact:
Senior official within Saddam Hussein's regime
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Sentenced to death in February 2008 for his role in the killing of 100,000 Iraqui Kurds during the Anfal campaign in 1988CNN: Chemical Ali sentenced -- again -- to death (December 2, 2008)
-
Fact:
Anfil campaign included the gassing of Iraqi Kurds in Halabja in 1988Al Jazeera: 'Chemical Ali' Execution Approved (February 29, 2008)
-
Fact:
Mustard gas, nerve agents were dropped from planes on the Kurdish villages
-
Fact:
Sentenced to death on December 2, 2008, for his role in suppressing an uprising against Saddam Hussein by Shiite Muslims in 1991CNN: Chemical Ali sentenced -- again -- to death (December 2, 2008)
-
Fact:
