Whilst allegations and denials abound in the media over the estimate that at least 600,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the enforced regime change in Iraq, the farce of the trial of Saddam Hussein continues.
Saddam rebuked the chief judge, Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, yesterday and accused him of preventing him (Saddam) from defending himself.
Saddam lambasted the judge for switching off the microphone on Tuesday, when Saddam began shouting a verse from the Quran.
Quote:
"When the accuser and prosecutor talk, the world listens. When the man called 'the accused' speaks, you switch off the microphone. Is this fair?"
The judge said that he had cut Saddam's microphone to "bring order to the courtroom."
Adding:
"Clearly you wanted to give a speech when you started reciting a verse from the holy book. You can talk if you want to defend yourself, but not to get into the political labyrinth."
Saddam interrupted, but the judge cut the microphone again.
Also on Wednesday, defendant Hussein Rashid Mohammed protested that a bailiff had hit him the previous day.
"You say the court is Iraqi. Is it acceptable that a defendant is hit and sworn at in front of the judge?"
Al-Khalifa replied:
"Everyone in this court is under my protection."
The farce continues, as does the chaos in the streets of Iraq.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Saddam Back in Court
Saddam Hussein returned to his trial today, after being thrown out yesterday by the judge for disrupting the proceedings.
Saddam and his six co-defendants are now sitting quietly, as chief judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa called on a Kurdish witness to take the stand.
Saddam and his six co-defendants are now sitting quietly, as chief judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa called on a Kurdish witness to take the stand.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Saddam Thrown Out Again
In what is becoming a regular ritual, Saddam Hussein has been thrown out of court again today.
Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, the chief judge, threw Saddam and another defendant out of court today after Saddam started shouting.
The judge cut off the microphone as Saddam began to speak. He then pointed to court bailiffs to escort Saddam from the courtroom.
Saddam started shouting a verse from the Quran:
"Fight them and God will punish them."
Needless to say the Iraqi people were not allowed to witness this scene, as the TV broadcasts were censored so that neither Saddam's words nor the judge's voice were heard.
Seemingly it is feared that Saddam may still stir some powerful emotions in some of the Iraqis.
The judge told Saddam's six co-defendants:
"I allowed you to say what you want, but you've been making problems."
One of the defendants Hussein Rashid Mohammed, a former army commander, stood up and shouted insults at the prosecutors. When a bailiff forced him back into his chair, Mohammed punched him.
The judge had Mohammed thrown out and closed the session to the media.
The farce continues.
Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, the chief judge, threw Saddam and another defendant out of court today after Saddam started shouting.
The judge cut off the microphone as Saddam began to speak. He then pointed to court bailiffs to escort Saddam from the courtroom.
Saddam started shouting a verse from the Quran:
"Fight them and God will punish them."
Needless to say the Iraqi people were not allowed to witness this scene, as the TV broadcasts were censored so that neither Saddam's words nor the judge's voice were heard.
Seemingly it is feared that Saddam may still stir some powerful emotions in some of the Iraqis.
The judge told Saddam's six co-defendants:
"I allowed you to say what you want, but you've been making problems."
One of the defendants Hussein Rashid Mohammed, a former army commander, stood up and shouted insults at the prosecutors. When a bailiff forced him back into his chair, Mohammed punched him.
The judge had Mohammed thrown out and closed the session to the media.
The farce continues.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Saddam's Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein, for alleged war crimes and genocide against the Kurds in the 1980's, has resumed in Baghdad today.
When last in court, two weeks ago, Saddam was ejected after defying instructions from the judge to be quiet.
The defence team met Saddam last week, but they have stated that they will continue to boycott the trial in protest about the replacement of former chief judge, Abdullah al-Amiri, following accusations of bias in favour of Saddam.
When last in court, two weeks ago, Saddam was ejected after defying instructions from the judge to be quiet.
The defence team met Saddam last week, but they have stated that they will continue to boycott the trial in protest about the replacement of former chief judge, Abdullah al-Amiri, following accusations of bias in favour of Saddam.
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