The chief judge in Saddam Hussein's trial, Raouf Abdel-Rahman, has said that he and four other judges would announce their verdict, which could carry the possibility of death by hanging for Saddam on October 16th.
Saddam has said that, if he is convicted, he wants to be shot instead of being hanged. Saddam's rationale being that he doesn't want to be treated like a common criminal.
The only problem with this is that Saddam was never in the military, his predisposition for wearing uniforms comes from his time as dictator.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Final Countdown
Saddam Hussein's trial resumed today for the final session before the verdict.
Saddam was not in court.
The session opened with former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan saying that he rejects the court-appointed lawyer. Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman said he could present his own summation.
Ramadan said:
"I refuse these procedures and I will not present my own defence.
I do not know who this lawyer is, or his name."
The other defendant due to present a summation was Anwar al-Bandar.
Once the summations are complete, the five judge panel will adjourn to consider a verdict. That may be ready by mid August.
On August 21st, Saddam will stand trial for the suppression of Iraqi Kurds in the 1980's.
Saddam may wish to start eating again, before the verdict and the next trial, unless he genuinely wishes to die.
Saddam was not in court.
The session opened with former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan saying that he rejects the court-appointed lawyer. Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman said he could present his own summation.
Ramadan said:
"I refuse these procedures and I will not present my own defence.
I do not know who this lawyer is, or his name."
The other defendant due to present a summation was Anwar al-Bandar.
Once the summations are complete, the five judge panel will adjourn to consider a verdict. That may be ready by mid August.
On August 21st, Saddam will stand trial for the suppression of Iraqi Kurds in the 1980's.
Saddam may wish to start eating again, before the verdict and the next trial, unless he genuinely wishes to die.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Saddam "Graciously" Appears
Saddam Hussein graciously agreed to appear at his own trial today, despite the fact that he had been in hospital as a result of a 16 day hunger strike.
Needless to say he could not resist grandstanding, and complained that he had been brought to the court against his will. He then went on to reject the tribunal as an agent of the U.S. occupation.
Quote:
"The Americans insisted that I come against my will. This is not fair."
Saddam then went on to make a statement beginning with a verse from the Quran.
"If you were a real Iraqi, you would know that your country is going through extraordinary conditions.
We not only resist this occupation. We do not acknowledge it. We do not acknowledge all the decisions it has made, including appointing the so-called government and this court you represent."
Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman interrupted, and noted that Saddam was talking nonsense:
"You were not brought here against your will. Here's the medical report and it indicates that you are in good shape."
To which Saddam retorted:
"I didn't say I was ill, I was on a hunger strike."
Saddam then objected to having a court-appointed attorney deliver the final summation on his behalf. It should be noted that his regular defence team have boycotted the proceedings.
The judge was having none of that:
"Where are your lawyers?
They're staying outside in front of the TV screens and inciting violence. Those are lawyers? Having millions of dinars? Listen Saddam Hussein, your lawyers have millions of dinars and are inciting violence."
Saddam then decided to interrupt the lawyer:
"You are my enemy. Who appointed you?
I challenge you to read this on your own. He probably didn't even write this. The American agent, the spy probably wrote this for him."
Despite the delaying tactics, and the amateur theatricals, the wheels of justice continue to turn. The court is expected to adjourn following final summations for all of the eight defendants and then render a verdict, this is expected to be by mid-August.
Needless to say he could not resist grandstanding, and complained that he had been brought to the court against his will. He then went on to reject the tribunal as an agent of the U.S. occupation.
Quote:
"The Americans insisted that I come against my will. This is not fair."
Saddam then went on to make a statement beginning with a verse from the Quran.
"If you were a real Iraqi, you would know that your country is going through extraordinary conditions.
We not only resist this occupation. We do not acknowledge it. We do not acknowledge all the decisions it has made, including appointing the so-called government and this court you represent."
Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman interrupted, and noted that Saddam was talking nonsense:
"You were not brought here against your will. Here's the medical report and it indicates that you are in good shape."
To which Saddam retorted:
"I didn't say I was ill, I was on a hunger strike."
Saddam then objected to having a court-appointed attorney deliver the final summation on his behalf. It should be noted that his regular defence team have boycotted the proceedings.
The judge was having none of that:
"Where are your lawyers?
They're staying outside in front of the TV screens and inciting violence. Those are lawyers? Having millions of dinars? Listen Saddam Hussein, your lawyers have millions of dinars and are inciting violence."
Saddam then decided to interrupt the lawyer:
"You are my enemy. Who appointed you?
I challenge you to read this on your own. He probably didn't even write this. The American agent, the spy probably wrote this for him."
Despite the delaying tactics, and the amateur theatricals, the wheels of justice continue to turn. The court is expected to adjourn following final summations for all of the eight defendants and then render a verdict, this is expected to be by mid-August.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Saddam No Show
The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed on Monday without the main man, who was in hospital being fed by drip (as a result of his 16 day hunger strike).
Saddam's defence team boycotted Monday's session, they are protesting about what they claim is the court's refusal to meet their demands for a fair trial.
The case is now in summation mode.
In the event that anyone is worried about Saddam, it seems that he will survive his self imposed hunger strike.
Saddam's defence team boycotted Monday's session, they are protesting about what they claim is the court's refusal to meet their demands for a fair trial.
The case is now in summation mode.
In the event that anyone is worried about Saddam, it seems that he will survive his self imposed hunger strike.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Saddam In Hospital
Saddam Hussein has been taken to hospital as a result of his hunger strike.
Hussein stopped eating on 7 July, in protest at the murder of his lawyer.
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi said:
"We took him to hospital and he is being currently fed by a tube."
Saddam had been due to appear in court today. However, Mr Moussawi said that he would be unable to attend.
Mr Moussawi then warned Saddam's lawyers that they would be committing an offence if they did not attend.
All sounds a bit too theatrical.
Hussein stopped eating on 7 July, in protest at the murder of his lawyer.
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi said:
"We took him to hospital and he is being currently fed by a tube."
Saddam had been due to appear in court today. However, Mr Moussawi said that he would be unable to attend.
Mr Moussawi then warned Saddam's lawyers that they would be committing an offence if they did not attend.
All sounds a bit too theatrical.
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