US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the execution of former Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan, who was sentenced to death for killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, will be carried out by firing squad on December 3 and broadcast live to the public.

Speaking in an interview with Real America's Voice, Hegseth said the execution would take place at Fort Hood, Texas, where the attack occurred, and that the public would be able to watch the proceedings.

Responding to a question about whether Hasan had made any final requests or contacted the administration of President Donald Trump, Hegseth said: "I don't care. We'll see him on December 3."

Deadly 2009 attack

Hasan opened fire at the Fort Hood military base in Texas in November 2009, targeting soldiers preparing for deployment to Afghanistan.

The attack killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, making it one of the deadliest shootings ever carried out on a US military installation.

A military court convicted Hasan in 2013 of premeditated murder and attempted murder, sentencing him to death. President Donald Trump recently approved the execution following the completion of the military appeals process.

First US military execution in decades

If carried out as scheduled, Hasan's execution will be the first military execution conducted by the United States since 1961 and the first execution by military firing squad since 1945. The planned public livestream would also be unprecedented in modern US history and has sparked legal and ethical debate.

Pentagon officials said further details on how the livestream will be conducted will be announced later.

Although the execution has been scheduled for December 3, legal experts note that Hasan could still seek further review in federal civilian courts, a move that could delay the execution.(ILKHA)