Access to Millions of Visitor Simple Sign Up - Start Immediately

Saddam Hussein: A prisoner nicknamed 'Vic'


Published: March 28, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Print story
Email to a friend
Font size:
BAGHDAD, March 28 (UPI) -- Saddam Hussein spent his last days in a small cell where he was allowed to plant a garden in the yard outside, military officials said.

CNN was able to film the cell, a windowless room with beige walls and a gray floor. The furniture includes a concrete sleeping platform and a combination sink and toilet.

The report aired Thursday.

U.S. Marine Major Gen. Doug Stone described the day of Saddam's execution, Dec. 30, 2006. Stone said Saddam was told when he woke up that he was going to be hanged.

"He bathed himself here in a very modest manner. It was winter, so it was cold," Stone said. "As he went out, he said goodbye to the guards and then got into the vehicles and proceeded to the execution."

The guards had nicknamed Saddam "Vic" from the initials posted next to his cell door and standing for Very Important Criminal. When he was told what the letters stood for, he said, "Okay, that's what I want to be called."

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
Print story
Order reprints
Email to a friend
Post comment
See Also:
» Next in Top News: Anti-Koran film posted on Web

SENATE CANCER
Lance Armstrong (C), cancer survivor and seven time Tour de France winner, and Steve Case (R), co-founder and former chief executive officer and chairman of America Online, watch as Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, who is currently battling a recurrence of breast cancer, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Cancer challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century in Washington on May 8, 2008. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
Senate Health Committee investigates Cancer in Washington
Full Photo | Slideshow