source: The Guardian

BAGHDAD: Iraq has hanged 42 prisoners condemned to death for rape, murdering members of the security forces, car bombings and other attacks, a justice ministry statement said on Monday.

It said Sunday´s executions were carried out in Nasiriyah prison in the south after the sentences were confirmed and approved by the presidential council.

The families of those sentenced to death were allowed to attend the executions.

According to rights group Amnesty International, Iraq carries out one of the world´s highest number of executions after China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.