The court conducting Saddam Hussein's trial heard from Michael Trimble (a US forensic expert) this week, about the mass graves from the Anfal campaign.
The graves contained the corpses of hundreds of Kurdish women and children.
Mr Trimble said that the victims had been killed in a "highly organised programme of execution".
Mr Trimble, who heads the Mass Graves Investigation Team, said that our of 301 bodies found, 183 were those of children (90% being under 13 years old).
Quote:
"The captives were often bound and blindfolded. The captives were led into the grave and then executed with pistols or automatic assault rifle fire. The graves were then covered by those directing the execution."
The court was shown slides of a child whose legs were cut in half by a bullet. Another child had wounds to the front and back.
Mr Trimble said:
"It is very clear these people were twisting as they were getting shot at.
There is a terror that takes over as people try to get out of the way. It's a very common human response."
Saddam Hussein responded by saying:
"Let me suggest the court consider what is said by the American expert but also call a new trial expert that has nothing to do with the enemy or the army of the enemy."
The trial will resume on Monday.
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