Iraq Hangs 42 Terror Convicts

The Iraqi government says 42 prisoners have been executed over the past few days.

The Justice Ministry said on October 10 that all 42, including a woman, were convicted of terrorism.

The announcement came on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, organized by the French-based World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

The latest executions bring the total number in Iraq this year to at least 132, as violence has reached a level not seen since 2008.

The executions in Iraq are usually carried out by hanging.

They have drawn international condemnation, with human rights groups questioning trial procedures in Iraqi courts.

According to the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Iraq was ranked third among the world's top executioners in 2012, with 129 executions carried out, after China and Iran.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP