Iraq hangs 38 militants for ‘terrorism’

NASIRIYAH, Iraq: Iraq hanged 38 militants belonging to the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda for terrorism offences on Thursday in the southern city of Nasiriyah, provincial authorities said. It was the largest number of executions in a single day since September 25 when 42 people were put to death in the same prison.

"The prison administration executed on Thursday in the presence of Justice Minister Haidar al-Zameli, in Nasiriyah prison, 38 death row prisoners belonging to Al-Qaeda or Daesh (IS) accused of terrorist activities," said Dakhel Kazem, a senior official in the provincial council.

Amnesty International has voiced repeated concerns about the use of the death penalty in Iraq, which it ranks as one of the world´s top executioners behind China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.