Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging.
The ex-president, who was deposed in the US-led invasion three years ago, was convicted of crimes against humanity by a court in Baghdad.
The charges relate to the killing of 148 Shias in the village of Dujail in 1982. Saddam's trial heard that he ordered the slaughter in revenge for an assassination attempt.
Sectarian tensions have been running high in Iraq in the run-up to the hearing, with a major security clampdown in force.
A 12-hour curfew imposed in Baghdad and three other provinces - including Salahuddin, which contains Saddam's home town of Tikrit.
The reaction in Iraq to the news will be watched closely around the world including in the US where mid-term elections are just two days away.
As the verdict was delivered a visibly shaken Hussein shouted "God is great" and "Life for the glorious nation, and death to its enemies"
His half brother Barzan Ibrahim and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the head of Iraq's former Revolutionary Court, were also sentenced to death by hanging for their part in the killings.
Former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan was convicted of murder and given a life term, while three other defendants were convicted of murder and torture and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. One defendant was acquitted for lack of evidence.
Hussein's defence team had said they were expecting a death sentence before the hearing in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, and are apparently preparing an appeal. He still faces further trials over a number of other alleged crimes.
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