Saddam Hussein's shocking courtroom reaction as he's sentenced to death in 2006
Chilling courtroom footage of Saddam Hussein's sentencing in Iraq has resurfaced almost 20 years later.
The former Iraqi president was the leader of the Arab nation from 1979 to 2003, when he was overthrown, and would be charged with crimes against humanity just months after being captured.
Hussein was a leading member of the Arab socialist Ba'ath party for years, who were known to use violence, murder, torture, execution, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, enforced disappearance, and other forms of repression against members of the Iraqi population.
Known worldwide as an authoritarian figure, his time in power was known for the persecution of Iraq's Kurdish and Shia muslim groups.
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Following the US' invasion of Iraq under false accusations that the nation was producing weapons of mass destruction, Hussein's government fell.
After being discovered and captured in 2003, he would later be charged by the Iraqi Special Tribunal for a number of crimes committed against the residents of Dujail 21 years earlier.
It included the murder of 148 people, the torture of multiple women and children, and the illegal arrest of almost 400 others.
After a lengthy process, a number of assassination attempts on both Hussein and his lawyers, some of whom were successfully killed, he was found guilty of his crimes and was sentenced to death by hanging.
However, his reaction to the charges is not as well-known or publicised, with the former president having a shocking reaction to the court's ruling.
Saddam Hussein's courtroom outburst
When being told his sentencing, Hussein refused to stand up, despite the court ordering him to do so, as he simply said: "Here I am, listening... No, I'll remain seated."
Eventually, guards forced him to stand up, and he was told that he would be sentenced to death by hanging.
As the judge listed his crimes, Hussein interjected and began exclaiming, in Arabic: "Long live the people (of Iraq), long live the nation, down with the traitors, down with the invaders!"
He then started to repeat the phrase, 'Allahu Akbar', which translates to 'God is most great', before losing it completely.
"Go... you and the court can go to hell! Screw you and the court with you," the then 69-year-old said to the judge.
The outburst continued, as he continued to shout 'Life to the people! Life to the great Arab Nation!' as the judge continued with his sentencing.
Hussein's hanging would then take place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, a move criticised by Saudi Arabia as it is a Holy day in the Islamic calendar.
The former leader's execution was also recorded on a mobile phone, with footage being leaked online and making its way around the world in hours.
Topics: History, World News, Politics
Joshua Nair