Iraqi Court Of Cassation Cancels Death Sentence For Mohammad Munaf

The lawyers of Mohammad Munaf have formally notified the U.S. Supreme Court that an Iraqi court of cassation has cancelled his death sentence.

On January 29, 2008 the Federal Iraqi Court of Cassation ruled that the decision to condemn Munaf to death by hanging him, was based on procedural vices and errors and decided to annul it.

The U.S. Supreme Court was scheduled to hear Munaf’s case on March 25, following a brief seeking judicial review and a writ of habeas corpus filed by The Brennan Center for Justice, along with the MacArthur Center for Justice.

According to the Iraqi Court of Cassation, in the light of the events following the kidnapping of the three Romanian journalists, three of the culprits taking part in the kidnapping admitted their deed, but in the case of the other three, including Munaf, no sufficient evidence was gathered.

Taking into account that the courthouse ruled on the matter before the case was closed, as well as due to other deficiencies in the case, the Court of Cassation ruled to annul all rulings in the case. The accused are to remain in custody until investigations regarding the kidnapping are concluded.

Mohammad Munaf was the guide of the three Romanian journalists in Iraq and was arrested by US forces being suspected of complicity to kidnapping.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.