Saadoun al-Qaisi (full name: Saadoun Sabri Jamil Jumaa al-Qaisi) (Arab:سعدون صبري القيسي; born 28 March 1947 - February 2026) was an Iraqi government and security official who served as Major General under Saddam Hussein. His hanging, following "the completion of all legally required judicial procedures," was announced in the international press in February 2026.
Background Al-Qaisi was a Major General under President Saddam Hussein. Over the course of his career, he was "director of the Fifth Department in the General Security Directorate, head of security in the provinces of Basra, Maysan, and Najaf, director of economic security, and director of general political affairs" according to The New Arab. An early article in the same publication suggests he was "director of state security and director of security in the port city of Basra and the central city of Najaf."
Conviction and hanging Al-Qaisi was arrested over the 1980 execution of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr on January 31, 2025. While a prisoner in February 2025, he helped Iraq's Foundation of Martyrs identify a mass grave from the Saddam Hussein era in Saqlawiyah near Fallujah.
Al-Qaisi was convicted of "grave crimes against humanity" and sentenced to death on June 30, 2025. His hanging, following "the completion of all legally required judicial procedures," was announced in the international press in February 2026.
Upon his death, Adnan Fayhan Al-Dulaimi, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, praised the judicial process leading to his execution.
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