Iraq Executes 17 People

Iraq executed 129 people in 2012 and this year has executed more than 60 people.

The Iraqi authorities have executed 17 people, most of them convicted of charges related to terrorism.

Iraqi Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari said in a statement on August 19 that an Egyptian national and two women were among those executed.

Shammari's statement said 16 of the 17 people hanged were convicted of crimes related to terrorism.

The 17th was executed for an unspecified criminal offense.

The statement did not say when the executions were carried out.

The United Nations and international rights groups have complained about executions in Iraq, saying many confessions of those condemned were made under torture.

Iraq executed 129 people in 2012 and this year has executed more than 60 people.

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa