Iraq executes 17 people in one day, 51 this year

Iraq has executed 17 convicted criminals in one day, the justice ministry said on Wednesday, bringing to 51 the number of people executed so far this year.

"The justice ministry carried out (death) sentences against 17 people condemned for terrorist and criminal crimes ... on Tuesday," it said in a statement.

"The ministry is continuing to carry out punishments against criminals according to the law and the constitution," Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari was quoted as saying.

Last month, justice ministry spokesman Haidar al-Saadi said that Iraq had executed 34 people so far this year, compared to a total of 68 last year.

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