Iraq sentences 3 men to death over bombing Shiite shrine in Baghdad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – An Iraqi court has sentenced three men to death by hanging over detonating an explosive charge at a Shiite religious shrine in Baghdad.

“The Central Criminal Court looked into the case of three defendants involved in bombing a Shiite shrine in Baghdad, an attack which left scores of visitors dead,” Al Madar News quoted the Supreme Judicial Council as saying in a press statement on Sunday.

“The trio admitted forming a terrorist cell with the aim of targeting innocent people,” the statement read, adding that the death sentences handed down on the three men were issued pursuant to article no. 4 of the anti-terrorism law.

Iraq’s anti-terrorism law empowers courts to convict people who are believed to have helped jihadists even if they are not accused of carrying out attacks.

Iraqi courts have sentenced many of Islamic State members, including a big number of female members, to death over joining the militant group.

The exact number of detained militants is still unknown, however, it’s estimated to be at thousands. It’s also unclear how many members are likely to face death sentences.

Human rights groups have always criticized collective death sentences issued by Iraqi courts, claiming that some detainees are tortured and threatened.