Saddam Hussein - Why is the executioner's face always well hidden?

Question

I mean, I watched the video and all I could see was a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'. Why did those guys cover their heads? Is it fear of reprisal?

Answer 1

it is only in the middle ages and also the dark ages of much previous centuries that the executioner's face was at times open --of course we did not have photography and film then. nevertheless your educated guess is as good as the answers you received "fear of reprisal". voila.

Answer 2

Executioners faces are always covered in most places where there is a death sentence carried out, fear of reprisal, and also that is their job, they have families..Happy New Year!..☺

Answer 3

Its traditional to always keep the executioners identity unknown. Even with a firing squad of 6 only 1 man has a loaded rifle and no one knows whose it is.

Answer 4

Ever heard the expression . . .
There's always one, in every crowd???
In this case, it means = there is probably at least one person who would feel it their 'duty' to avenge the executed person by killing the executioner. So - - - yes - - - fear of reprisal is the answer.

Answer 5

Yes - but they didn't have a Uniform - their own clothes might just identify them anyway - and their voices. It looked pretty unprofessional, badly organised and the timing was suspect too. It doesn't augur well for Iraq.

Answer 6

Rear of retribution and for the safety of their families, I would assume.

Answer 7

Yep...definitely fear of retribution to them and their families.

Answer 8

to keep their identies secret, just as states with Death penalty in US keep secret people involved in the execution.

Answer 9

so they won't be reconize cause if they are they will be killed