Six "criminals" were executed in Iraq this week in terrorism related cases, the justice ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry, in a statement, said they were put to death for having "shed the blood of Iraqis" after their appeals were rejected and the sentences ratified by the presidency.
Forensic sources told Agence France Presse that at least one of them was a Syrian national.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and the commander of the peshmerga forces attended the graduation ceremony of peshmerga fighters, who have completed their six-month training.
The ceremony, celebrating the graduation of the class of "coexistence," coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of The Kurdistan Democratic Party.
“We need to achieve reform and take large and swift steps … in order to improve the situation of the Kurdistan region,” Barzani said.
“That would only be achieved through transparent parliamentary elections and the formation of a strong government (in the region) that receives the backing of all sides so that in its turn it takes the helm of responsibility in implementing the needed reforms,” he said.
The elections should be held on time next September, without any delay, he stressed.
“Rather than mulling how to delay the polls, we should think of holding them in a transparent manner and without obstacles,” said Barzani.
He also called for having international monitors and representatives of international and local organizations during the elections..
“The Democratic Party rejects any postponement,” he reiterated.
