Death penalty over Iraq killing
Source: BBC.com
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7407489.stm
Since 2003 Sunni and Shia attacks on Chaldean Christians has increased dramatically. Churches, clerics, and Christian owned business have been made victims of these attacks. Kidnapped in February, the archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul was found dead after two weeks in a shallow grave outside Mosul. His car was attacked by gunmen, who killed his driver and two bodyguards. Rahho’s killer is claimed to be al Qaeda leader Ahmed Ali Ahmed (also known as Abu Omar). The Iraqi government has just recently reached the verdict that he shall receive the death penalty. The Christian community in Iraq and the US embassy in Baghdad are pleased with the verdict. Many people criticize the previous government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for not doing enough to protect the Christians from prosecution.
This court decision is one that will affect many people. The Iraqi Christians, 800,000 and counting, will view this as a step towards their protection and security. They will like that action is being taken to denounce and punish the violent acts against them. It may also stir up greater tension between the Christians and Muslims in Iraq because the Muslims may feel that the Christians are being overly protected. Because of this, and the issue of the severity of the verdict, retaliation may occur. Although justice is being served for a crime, many people will probably view it as unjust.
Filed under: Uncategorized
