72 retired U.S. generals ask authorities to stop live broadcast of Nidal Hasan execution
A letter from 72 retired senior officers says a public livestream would be a "barbaric abuse of power" and could turn Hasan into a "martyr".
Seventy-two retired U.S. generals, admirals and other senior military officers have urged the U.S. government to cancel plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad.
In a letter to authorities and the public they wrote that the planned broadcast would amount to a "barbaric abuse of power" and warned it could turn the mass killer into a "martyr."
Officials and critics react
Last week the Pentagon announced it would publicly show the execution, which is scheduled for December 3. Hasan, a military psychiatrist, shot and killed 13 unarmed U.S. soldiers at the Fort Hood military base.
Lawmakers from both parties and several religious leaders have criticized the plan. President Donald Trump said last week that he "absolutely" supports broadcasting the execution, though some administration officials have since expressed opposition.
Media outlets have reported that the president has not yet made a final decision about whether the execution will be livestreamed.
Photo: press material from the event
