Trial Judge Resigns

Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin, the chief judge presiding over the trial of Saddam Hussein, has submitted his resignation.

He claims that he was fed up with the public criticism, for the way he was handling the courtroom.

Rumours had been circulating for a while that Amin was about to quit. However, it was only confirmed by Hussein Mussawi, another judge involved with the case.

Quote:

"This is true. The reason is, there is a lot of pressure on the judge."

Amin had been criticised for allowing Saddam to dominate the increasingly farcical court proceedings.

Mussawi has insisted that the pressure on Amin was not political; he rejected suggestions that Ibrahim Jafari, Iraq's prime minister and a Shiite, was trying to force him out or influence the handling of the case.

However, a source close to Amin is quoted by Reuters as saying:

"The whole court is under political pressure. He had complaints from the government that he was being too soft in dealing with Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants. They want things to go faster."

It seems that people are trying to persuade Amin to reconsider his decision. An unnamed Western diplomat is quoted as saying:

"We certainly hope and expect that the trial will continue without delay. This is not the first time this issue has come up, and it's important to hear from the judge himself or the Ministry of Information."

Mussawi also said:

"I think he will go back on his decision. A lot of people are talking to him to try to change his mind.".

For justice to be seen to be done, the trial must remain free of poltical influence. The resignation has higlighted the pressure that is being exerted to ensure a speedy verdict that pleases those now in control of Iraq.

Saddam Hussein's trial is scheduled to resume on January 24.