It seems that Saddam Hussein could go on trial as early as next month, for his alleged role in a massacre 23 years ago.
That is according to Raid Juhi, chief judge of the Iraq Special Tribunal.
Hussein, if found guilty could then face the death penalty.
Raid Juhi said that the investigation into the July 8 1982 massacre in Dujail, a Shiite village 50 miles north of Baghdad, is complete.
Juhi also said that four other former senior officials would stand trial for the massacre, in which Saddam's security agents allegedly shot dead at least 50 people after a plot to assassinate him was uncovered.
Juhi is quoted as saying that the trial would begin "in August or September, but we would like it to begin before that."
The US is cautious about rushing into a trial, they believe that Iraq must develop a good court and judicial system first.
The US is also concerned that the trial could interfere with the process of writing a constitution, and inflame sectarian tension.
The Iraqi government must finish a draft by August, so that it can hold a referendum on the charter before the December elections.
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