Iraq's Court of Cassation upholds death sentence for Anfal defendant Hardan

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Court of Cassation upheld the death sentence against Ajaaj Ahmed Hardan al-Tikriti for crimes committed during the Anfal operations against Kurdish civilians, Chief Justice Saeed al-Lami of the Federal Cassation Court said on Tuesday. The court found Hardan responsible for acts of starvation, dehydration, torture and killing of detainees held at the Nugra al-Salman detention facility, as well as sexual crimes against women. Under the ruling, the case file will be forwarded to the presidency for the issuance of a presidential decree to carry out the sentence, according to the court. The Federal Cassation Court had sentenced Hardan to death on May 14. His conviction becomes final with the Court of Cassation's approval.