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.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
The Long Wait For Justice
The Iraqi parliament is beginning to tire of waiting to try former dictator, Saddam Hussein.
he has been held captive for the last 18 months, the parliament are now to debate a bill to reorganise the US-created court tasked with trying Hussein.
The Deputy Speaker, Hussein Shahristani, has told deputies that the first reading of the draft legislation will take place on July 20.
Parliament wishes to commence proceedings, before the elections in October this year.
Some Kurdish and Shiite MPs have suggested that the fact that the Iraqi Special Tribunal (IST) is controlled by the Americans has slowed up the process of bringing Saddam to trial.
The bill is aimed at silencing those who question the authority of the court, which was set up by the former US administrator Paul Bremer.
It seems that the tribunal's 30 investigating judges are inexperienced, and that some are former Baathists including Raed Juhi, the lead judge questioning Saddam.
Kurdish MP Mahmud Othman is quoted as saying:
"It has been pure theater so far. At the moment, it's all in the hands of America..We look at them as criminals who committed crimes against the Iraqi people, while America looks at them as a source of intelligence."
Saddam's lawyers have questioned the court's impartiality and his detention this long without trial.
he has been held captive for the last 18 months, the parliament are now to debate a bill to reorganise the US-created court tasked with trying Hussein.
The Deputy Speaker, Hussein Shahristani, has told deputies that the first reading of the draft legislation will take place on July 20.
Parliament wishes to commence proceedings, before the elections in October this year.
Some Kurdish and Shiite MPs have suggested that the fact that the Iraqi Special Tribunal (IST) is controlled by the Americans has slowed up the process of bringing Saddam to trial.
The bill is aimed at silencing those who question the authority of the court, which was set up by the former US administrator Paul Bremer.
It seems that the tribunal's 30 investigating judges are inexperienced, and that some are former Baathists including Raed Juhi, the lead judge questioning Saddam.
Kurdish MP Mahmud Othman is quoted as saying:
"It has been pure theater so far. At the moment, it's all in the hands of America..We look at them as criminals who committed crimes against the Iraqi people, while America looks at them as a source of intelligence."
Saddam's lawyers have questioned the court's impartiality and his detention this long without trial.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The New Republic of Fear
It seems that, despite the toppling and the imprisonment of Saddam Hussein, Iraqis still live in fear.
Saddam Hussein's Mukhabarat secret police have created a new "republic of fear", former Baathist agents are hunting down those who work for and voice support for the new U.S. backed government.
Many officials and security personnel in the new administration have been killed, in wave of daily attacks.
Saddam's Baathist supporters, created a state modelled on Stalin's Soviet police state; they had planned for an underground war against US occupiers.
Something which the CIA and other intelligence organisations should, had they being doing their job, have known about and planned for.
The primary reason for the rising tide of insurgency, from the former state security, is the fact that the US administration disbanded the Iraqi army; thereby creating a "talent pool" of trained fighters.
The blame for this mess can be laid full square at the feet of those who took the decision to invade Iraq, without having any effective plan as to what to do after they had decapitated the regime.
The Iraqis are now paying for that criminal and irresponsible lacking of planning with their own blood.
Saddam Hussein's Mukhabarat secret police have created a new "republic of fear", former Baathist agents are hunting down those who work for and voice support for the new U.S. backed government.
Many officials and security personnel in the new administration have been killed, in wave of daily attacks.
Saddam's Baathist supporters, created a state modelled on Stalin's Soviet police state; they had planned for an underground war against US occupiers.
Something which the CIA and other intelligence organisations should, had they being doing their job, have known about and planned for.
The primary reason for the rising tide of insurgency, from the former state security, is the fact that the US administration disbanded the Iraqi army; thereby creating a "talent pool" of trained fighters.
The blame for this mess can be laid full square at the feet of those who took the decision to invade Iraq, without having any effective plan as to what to do after they had decapitated the regime.
The Iraqis are now paying for that criminal and irresponsible lacking of planning with their own blood.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Iraq Forces Arrest Ex Army Officer
Iraqi forces have arrested Mizher Taha Ahmed al-Ghannam al-Juburi, an ex-army officer accused of killing and deporting Marsh Arabs during the rule of Saddam Hussein.
The arrest warrant was issued on the basis of testimony that the former intelligence officer, in the army's fourth brigade, killed and deported Marsh Arabs in the south between 1992 and 1996.
Saddam's regime acted against the inhabitants of the marshlands, when opposition militants took refuge among the area's reeds; after the abortive Shiite uprising in the south, following the 1991 Gulf war.
The regime drained most of the marshes and torched the reeds, effectively killing off the way of life of the occupants of the marshes.
The arrest warrant was issued on the basis of testimony that the former intelligence officer, in the army's fourth brigade, killed and deported Marsh Arabs in the south between 1992 and 1996.
Saddam's regime acted against the inhabitants of the marshlands, when opposition militants took refuge among the area's reeds; after the abortive Shiite uprising in the south, following the 1991 Gulf war.
The regime drained most of the marshes and torched the reeds, effectively killing off the way of life of the occupants of the marshes.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Life's Little Luxuries
Saddam Hussein, despite residing in jail, has managed to overcome one US embargo; namely that imposed on Cuban cigars.
Seemingly Saddam Hussein smokes them regularly.
Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghad, sends him the cigars via the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is responsible for maintaining contact between detainees and their families.
Seemingly Saddam Hussein smokes them regularly.
Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghad, sends him the cigars via the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is responsible for maintaining contact between detainees and their families.
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