Iraq Government Decapitates Saddam Associate During Hanging

[Somebody Else]

I presume Mr Ibrahim was a rather bulky chap? In this case the rope was probably too long. When people are hanged, death is actually supposed to happen fairly quickly, as the drop snaps the neck. This is where a little bt of calculation is required - if the rope is too short, not enough speed is built up, and the executee ends up being choked to death. If the rope is too long, too much speed is built up, and, well, pop.

Of course, an experienced executioner would also be able to plan for either eventuality, if he/she so desired.

It's all a bit of an art really...

[Watchman]

The man doesn't actually look particularly corpulent in photos of the trials I've seen though. About the same as for example his half-brother Saddam.

[English assassin]

Is it actually possible to think of a way to better this stuff as a terrorist recruitment drive?

Makes you wonder doesn't it...