Iraq has executed at least 12 people convicted of terrorism offences.

On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the "immediate application" of death sentences against convicted terrorists.

A day earlier the bodies of eight captives held by the Islamic State group (IS) were found on a road north of the capital Baghdad.

Human rights groups have raised serious concerns about trials of IS suspects and mass executions.

At least several hundred people, including foreigners, are believed to be on death row for terrorism in Iraq.

"Based on the orders of Prime Minister Dr Haider al-Abadi, death sentences were carried out on Thursday against 12 convicted terrorists who had received their final sentences," a message on the prime minister's Facebook page read.

A Ministry of Justice statement said that 13 people had been executed.

The Iraqi government has not released the identities of those sentenced to death.

Source BBC.