the Iraqi criminal court in Baghdad condemned to death an al-Qaeda member

the Iraqi criminal court in Baghdad condemned to death an al-Qaeda member who had carried out attacks in Baghdad, according to a Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq statement. "Baghdad criminal court in al-Rusafa passed the death penalty by hanging against a defendant convicted of kidnapping and heinously killing a number of citizens and of taking part in attacks and assisting in others," the statement said. The defendant committed his crimes in Abu Dasheer, south Baghdad, the statement said, noting that some of his crimes were committed using sharp tools. Evidence gathered from plaintiffs' statements, eyewitnesses' testimonies and the defendant's detailed and express confessions convinced the court of the defendant's guilt, it said.