Former Kuwait Premier Gets Death Sentence

A Kuwaiti man who served as puppet prime minister after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 was convicted of treason Wednesday and sentenced to be hanged.

Alaa Hussein, 41, was hustled away by guards after the court president pronounced the verdict and death sentence simultaneously.

The court said a desire for personal gain led Hussein to willingly take on the role of puppet prime minister under the Iraqis.

The court began hearing Hussein’s case Feb. 20 after he returned from exile saying he wanted to prove his innocence.

Hussein had been sentenced to death in absentia in 1993, two years after a U.S.-led coalition fought the Persian Gulf War and liberated Kuwait. Wednesday’s verdict upheld that decision.

The judges said Hussein accepted money, housing and gifts from Iraq. Hussein testified that he would have been killed if he had defied Iraqi orders to take up the post and insult Kuwait in television interviews.

Hussein’s lawyer said he would appeal.

Iraqi officials chose Hussein from hundreds of Kuwaitis they took prisoner, some of whom became members of an “interim government.” After Kuwait’s liberation, all but Hussein asked to return home and were cleared of any wrongdoing. His decision to stay in Iraq raised suspicions in Kuwait about his allegiance.