Iraq executes former Saddam-era security officer for role in 1980 killing of Shiite leader

Iraq announced on Monday that a former senior security official during Saddam Hussein’s rule has been executed for his involvement in the 1980 killing of a prominent Shiite cleric, a case that has long symbolized repression under the Ba’athist regime. The National Security Service said Saadoun Sabri al-Qaisi , who held the rank of major general, was convicted of “grave crimes against humanity” for his role in the detention and killing of Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr , members of the al-Hakim family, and other civilians. Authorities did not reveal the exact date of al-Qaisi’s execution.

Al-Sadr was one of Iraq’s most influential Shiite religious and political figures, widely revered for his scholarship and vocal opposition to Saddam’s secular, Sunni-dominated government. His resistance intensified following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran , which heightened fears among Iraq’s leadership of an emboldened Shiite uprising. Al-Sadr and his sister, Bint al-Huda , a respected religious scholar and activist, were arrested during a broader crackdown on Shiite activists in April 1980. Reports indicate the siblings were tortured prior to their execution, and their burial in Najaf’s historic Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery transformed them into enduring symbols of martyrdom and resistance.

Investigations into Saddam-era abuses have continued for decades. Al-Qaisi’s case drew attention not only because of his role in al-Sadr’s death but because detailed security records identified him as having overseen other mass executions and repression against members of the Islamic Dawa Party and opponents of the regime. Reports noted that al-Qaisi and associates carried out multiple executions of regime opponents, including burying victims in mass graves in Fallujah and other provinces, reflecting the broader pattern of brutality under Saddam’s security apparatus.

The timing of the execution comes more than 40 years after the crimes, largely because al-Qaisi had reportedly fled to Syria after Saddam’s fall and lived under an alias, making him difficult to apprehend. His arrest in Erbil in February 2023 finally allowed Iraqi authorities to complete the legal process. Analysts also note that the case has symbolic importance , as prosecuting high-ranking former officials linked to notorious cases reinforces Iraq’s commitment to accountability for past atrocities.

Al-Qaisi’s execution fits into a broader pattern of post-2003 prosecutions of former Saddam-era officials. Similar cases include Ali Hassan al-Majid (“Chemical Ali”) , executed in 2010 for genocide and chemical attacks against Kurds; Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti , Saddam’s half-brother, executed in 2007 for his role in the 1982 Dujail massacre; Awad Hamad al-Bandar , the chief judge in Dujail, executed in 2007 for ordering mass executions of Shiite civilians; and Saddam Hussein himself, executed in 2006 for crimes against humanity. Multiple other mid-level officers involved in torture and executions of political and religious opponents have also been arrested and prosecuted in recent years.

The execution has drawn mixed responses domestically . Many Iraqis, particularly in the Shiite community, view it as long-overdue justice and closure for decades-old atrocities. Others, including some Sunni groups, may perceive it as divisive or symbolic rather than reconciliatory . On the international stage, while no formal response has yet been reported regarding this specific execution, human rights organizations have historically criticized Iraq’s use of the death penalty , urging due process and caution in capital punishment cases, even when addressing serious historical crimes.

After the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iraqi authorities pursued former officials accused of crimes against humanity and political repression, often under the Dissolved Ba’ath Party Prohibition Law. Iraq’s ongoing use of the death penalty continues to generate debate, balancing the pursuit of historical accountability with concerns over fairness and human rights.