ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq executed seven men convicted of “terrorism” in Dhi Qar province on Monday.
“All those executed today fell into the category of the anti-terror law and they were members of ISIS,” read a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice on Monday.
The bodies of the seven men who were hanged were handed over to the state hospital’s morgue, said head of Dhi Qar’s health ministry Dr. Abdel Hassan al-Jabri, AFP reported.
Iraq is one of the five nations worldwide that carry out the most executions, according to Amnesty International. It follows China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
In June, Iraq executed 12 convicted terrorists by order of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi after the government came under public pressure to take action against ISIS militants who have remained a major security threat in areas south of Kirkuk and claimed responsibility for killing eight civilians.
The Ministry of Justice said it carries out the death sentences after the completion of due process.
“The Ministry of Justice stresses that it carries out its legal duties and giving out justice to criminals who have been convicted and will continue fighting corruption and the corrupt in coordination with all other institutions,” read the statement.