The Facts
Iraq has reportedly hanged three people convicted for a 2016 bombing that was claimed by the Islamic State group (IS).
The bombing, which killed more than 320 people in a Baghdad shopping district, was one of the deadliest terrorist acts globally since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.
The Spin
Narrative A
While the death penalty is highly contested, a serious punishment for heinous crimes like terrorism is still necessary. Terrorists like those who perpetrated the bombing in Baghdad in 2016, are among the most brutal and violent criminals, and their targeting of civilian men, women, and children, cannot be left unpunished.
Narrative B
The death penalty is not an effective deterrent against terrorism. The execution of terrorists goes beyond retribution or perceived justice and may create more issues than life in prison would. By killing these criminals, Iraq risks turning them into martyrs that can be used for the public relations and fundraising strategies of extremist groups.