Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Tonya Papanikolas reporting Many Iraqis living in Utah were watching the Saddam Hussein trial very closely. Like their fellow countrymen in Iraq, many local Iraqis celebrated at the news Saddam Hussein would be put to death.
Salman Albarkawi, Utah Iraqi: "Oh, my God. I'm so excited. I'm so happy."
Loay Alabbas, Utah Iraqi: "I think it is a great victory for the Iraqi people."
Salman Albarkawi says when he left Iraq, Saddam's regime was killing people in the streets for disagreeing with the government.
Salman Albarkawi: "You never know the time they're gonna come and take you out and execute you."
Loay Alabbas also fled the country fearing for his life.
Loay Alabbas: "If we would have stayed there after the uprising in '91, we would have got killed, me and my brother."
But two weeks ago, she flew to Utah.
Loay Alabbas: "We are gonna practice the freedom, no matter what."
These men say the great majority of Iraqis are happy Saddam is being hanged. But even here in Utah, you'll find some mixed opinions. One Iraqi says he has no hatred for who he calls his country's leader.
Saadi Mahdi, Utah Iraqi: He's Iraqi. He's not... He's my blood, so even though he's my enemy, I don't think he should be executed."
But Saadi Mahdi does believe the dictator should have to answer for his crimes.
Saadi Mahdi, Utah Iraqi: "He has to face justice in the end."
For most Iraqis, the sentence is long overdue.
Loay Alabbas: "He is facing what he should have faced a long time ago."
Salman Albarkawi: "Saddam is gone. Saddam is gone forever. Saddam and his group, they're gone."
Leaving these Iraqis hopeful they'll have more of a voice in the country's future.
Loay (LOY) Alabass and Salman Albarkawi (SOLOMON al-bar-COW'-ee) both said they believe Iraq can establish a successful democracy in the country with Saddam out of the picture.
