Iraq executed three more of its nationals–none of them Jews–today as alleged spies for Israel and the United States, According to Baghdad radio, the latest victims were Private Mohammed Rabah Haidar of the Iraqi Army, who was shot by a firing squad, and Ambarkhud Al-Karam and Amis Abbas, civilians who were hanged.
The broadcast gave no details of the charges nor was there any indication that the three had stood trial. Their execution brought to 54 the number of alleged spies executed by Iraq this year, among them 11 Jews. Fifteen civilians and soldiers including two Jews were executed in Baghdad on Aug. 15. About 100 Iraqis, among them a former Premier and several former Government ministers, are in custody on spy charges.
(In Washington, State Department officials today voiced shock and dismay over the executions. They said that the additional executions were a source of grave concern following the recent criticism by Secretary of State William P. Rogers that earlier killings were repugnant to the conscience of mankind. The State Department had officially described previous executions as “blood baths.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
