Ali Hassan al-Majid, the cousin of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, has been executed in Iraq for crimes against humanity. 25 Jan 10
Later recognised as one of the president's most feared military leaders, al-Majid's rise to power came only after his cousin became president. It was under Saddam that Majid became a general, defence minister and trusted member of the president's inner circle, and forged a reputation as a strongman.
It was during the government's campaign against the Kurds in northern Iraq that Majid's most notorious crimes took place.
