The BBC have a video report about the following:
"A report by the human rights group, Amnesty International, says that tens of thousands of people in Iraq are being detained in prisons without trial.
It says many of the detainees are being held for years often facing psychological and violent abuse."
Isn't that one of the reasons Saddam was overthrown?
Showing posts with label prison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prison. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Saddam Feared AIDS
Diary extracts published by Al-Hayat indicate that Saddam Hussein feared catching Aids and other STDs, whilst he was in jail.
Seemingly the US guards were using Saddam's washing line to dry clothes, and he demanded that they stop.
Saddam is quoted from his diary:
"I explained to them that they are young and they could have young people's diseases.
My main concern was to not catch a venereal disease, an HIV disease, in this place."
Given the circumstances, that should have been the least of his concerns.
Seemingly the US guards were using Saddam's washing line to dry clothes, and he demanded that they stop.
Saddam is quoted from his diary:
"I explained to them that they are young and they could have young people's diseases.
My main concern was to not catch a venereal disease, an HIV disease, in this place."
Given the circumstances, that should have been the least of his concerns.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Accusations of Torture
Kamil Abu al-Hail, an Iraqi ex-MP, accused the 15 aides of Saddam Hussein of crimes against humanity has said he was falsely imprisoned for months.
Kamil Abu al-Hail said he had been held at a prison in Baghdad, where hundreds were beaten and tortured daily.
The defendants are on trial for allegedly helping to suppress a Shia uprising after the 1991 Gulf War.
Kamil Abu al-Hail said that he had been arrested after arriving in Baghdad to attend a parliamentary session in the aftermath of the uprising, and taken to al-Radwaniya prison.
Quote:
"I heard screams of pain as prisoners were beaten and tortured.
At the end of the day, I could see people being carried out on blankets soaked with blood. They could not walk because of the harsh torture."
Mr Abu al-Hail was released several months later, after receiving a presidential pardon.
Quote:
"I was dismissed from the parliament. My cotton factory and my house were destroyed by the shelling from the army."
The Shaaban Intifada (Uprising) started in March 1991 as defeated Iraqi troops fled back to southern Iraq after US-led forces took control of Kuwait.
Many Shia blame the US for the uprising's failure, as it came to a ceasefire agreement with the Iraqi government and did not intervene.
The trial continues.
Kamil Abu al-Hail said he had been held at a prison in Baghdad, where hundreds were beaten and tortured daily.
The defendants are on trial for allegedly helping to suppress a Shia uprising after the 1991 Gulf War.
Kamil Abu al-Hail said that he had been arrested after arriving in Baghdad to attend a parliamentary session in the aftermath of the uprising, and taken to al-Radwaniya prison.
Quote:
"I heard screams of pain as prisoners were beaten and tortured.
At the end of the day, I could see people being carried out on blankets soaked with blood. They could not walk because of the harsh torture."
Mr Abu al-Hail was released several months later, after receiving a presidential pardon.
Quote:
"I was dismissed from the parliament. My cotton factory and my house were destroyed by the shelling from the army."
The Shaaban Intifada (Uprising) started in March 1991 as defeated Iraqi troops fled back to southern Iraq after US-led forces took control of Kuwait.
Many Shia blame the US for the uprising's failure, as it came to a ceasefire agreement with the Iraqi government and did not intervene.
The trial continues.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Aziz Normal
Tariq Aziz, Iraq's former foreign minister under Saddam Hussein, was admitted to hospital last week for a check up after fainting. His health has been confirmed as "normal", and he was sent back to prison on Thursday.
Aziz had been due to face questioning by a judge last Wednesday, but he fainted on Tuesday.
Badie Arif Ezzat, Aziz's lawyer, said that Aziz had fainted repeatedly on Tuesday. In January last year, Ezzat told the BBC that his client had suffered a stroke and had barely a month to live.
The coalition issued a statement:
"All studies came back normal for a person Mr Aziz's age... and [he] is currently in the same health and with the same functional status as he was prior to his fall."
Aziz had been due to face questioning by a judge last Wednesday, but he fainted on Tuesday.
Badie Arif Ezzat, Aziz's lawyer, said that Aziz had fainted repeatedly on Tuesday. In January last year, Ezzat told the BBC that his client had suffered a stroke and had barely a month to live.
The coalition issued a statement:
"All studies came back normal for a person Mr Aziz's age... and [he] is currently in the same health and with the same functional status as he was prior to his fall."
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Powell Calls For Closure of Guantanamo Bay
Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday that the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay for foreign terrorism suspects should be immediately closed, and its inmates moved to the US.
Mr Powell, who in a 2003 speech to the UN Security Council made the case for war against Iraq for possessing weapons of mass destruction that were never found, described the prison in Cuba as a "major problem" for the US's image abroad and has done more harm than good.
Quote:
"Guantanamo has become a major, major problem ... in the way the world perceives America, and if it were up to me I would close Guantanamo, not tomorrow but this afternoon ... and I would not let any of those people go. I would simply move them to the United States and put them into our federal legal system.
Essentially, we have shaken the belief the world had in America's justice system by keeping a place like Guantanamo open and creating things like the military commission. We don't need it and it is causing us far more damage than any good we get for it."
That's all very well, but why did he not say this several years ago?
Mr Powell, who in a 2003 speech to the UN Security Council made the case for war against Iraq for possessing weapons of mass destruction that were never found, described the prison in Cuba as a "major problem" for the US's image abroad and has done more harm than good.
Quote:
"Guantanamo has become a major, major problem ... in the way the world perceives America, and if it were up to me I would close Guantanamo, not tomorrow but this afternoon ... and I would not let any of those people go. I would simply move them to the United States and put them into our federal legal system.
Essentially, we have shaken the belief the world had in America's justice system by keeping a place like Guantanamo open and creating things like the military commission. We don't need it and it is causing us far more damage than any good we get for it."
That's all very well, but why did he not say this several years ago?
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Cigars For Saddam
The final day of a hearing to determine if Lt. Col. William H. Steele, a former military police commander at the Camp Cropper prison, should stand trial on various charges of "aiding the enemy" heard that he let detainees use his cell phone to make unmonitored calls and approved buying Cuban cigars and hair dye for Saddam Hussein.
One of those investigating Steele noted:
"that during an interview, [Steele] admitted that he empathised with the prisoners he oversaw, who included ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime, and that he had lent them his cellular phone to make private calls."
A similar "bonding with the enemy" happened at Nuremberg, when the US guards allowed Goering to commit suicide rather than face the gallows.
One of those investigating Steele noted:
"that during an interview, [Steele] admitted that he empathised with the prisoners he oversaw, who included ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime, and that he had lent them his cellular phone to make private calls."
A similar "bonding with the enemy" happened at Nuremberg, when the US guards allowed Goering to commit suicide rather than face the gallows.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ramadan Executed
Taha Yassin Ramadan, Saddam Hussein's former vice president, was hanged this morning.
In order to prevent a repeat of the shambles of the execution of Barzan Hassan, who was decapitated, Ramadan was weighed before the execution and the appropriate size rope was chosen.
Ramadan was sentenced to life in prison in November 2006. However, in December 2006 the appeals chamber decided the original sentence was too lenient and ordered the court to resentence him.
The decision to execute him has been criticised by coalition officials, non governmental groups in Iraq and some members of Iraq's legal advisory community who have suggested that the judges came under pressure from politicians.
In order to prevent a repeat of the shambles of the execution of Barzan Hassan, who was decapitated, Ramadan was weighed before the execution and the appropriate size rope was chosen.
Ramadan was sentenced to life in prison in November 2006. However, in December 2006 the appeals chamber decided the original sentence was too lenient and ordered the court to resentence him.
The decision to execute him has been criticised by coalition officials, non governmental groups in Iraq and some members of Iraq's legal advisory community who have suggested that the judges came under pressure from politicians.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Saddam's Aide Dies
Saadoun Hammadi, a Shiite official in Saddam Hussein's government and a senior Iraq Baath Party leader, has died in a hospital in Germany.
Hammadi, 77, was released from a prison camp in Iraq in February 2004 after being held by American troops for nine months.
He was believed to have had leukemia.
Hammadi, 77, was released from a prison camp in Iraq in February 2004 after being held by American troops for nine months.
He was believed to have had leukemia.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Death Sentence Confirmed
An Iraqi appeals court has upheld the death sentence against Taha Yassin Ramadan, Saddam Hussein's former vice president.
Taha Yassin Ramadan was convicted in November, along with Hussein and six others, for the killing of some 140 Shi'a in the 1980s.
He was initially sentenced to life in prison, but that sentence was later raised by a higher court and automatically sent to an appeals panel.
Ramadan's execution is to be carried out within 30 days.
Human Rights Watch has called for the death sentence against Ramadan to be repealed.
Taha Yassin Ramadan was convicted in November, along with Hussein and six others, for the killing of some 140 Shi'a in the 1980s.
He was initially sentenced to life in prison, but that sentence was later raised by a higher court and automatically sent to an appeals panel.
Ramadan's execution is to be carried out within 30 days.
Human Rights Watch has called for the death sentence against Ramadan to be repealed.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Saddam's Nephew Does a Runner
Ayman Sabawi, the son of Saddam's half brother Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti, managed to escape from his prison 45 miles west of Mosul on Saturday afternoon.
He was aided and abetted by a police officer in making good his escape.
Sabawi was sentenced to life in prison for funding Iraq's insurgency and for bomb-making.
He was aided and abetted by a police officer in making good his escape.
Sabawi was sentenced to life in prison for funding Iraq's insurgency and for bomb-making.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Saddam Hussein Sentenced To Hang
Saddam Hussein has been convicted of crimes against humanity, and sentenced to death by hanging.
He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982.
His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was also sentenced to death, along with Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander
Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail and three others received 15 year prison terms.
Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted.
Saddam shouted out "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq. Long live the Iraqi people!" after the judge announced the verdict.
He has the option to appeal the sentence.
In the meantime the long suffering people of Iraq wait to see if this verdict leads to a rise in violence, as predicted by some.
In the USA President Bush faces midterms on the 7th of November, it is predicted that the Republican party will be heavily defeated as voters vent their spleens on Bush for the failure of the Iraq mission. The voters will also bring Bush to account for the theft of $800M, designated to help rebuild Iraq, by key Iraqi officials from under the noses of the US administration.
Mission accomplished!
He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982.
His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was also sentenced to death, along with Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander
Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail and three others received 15 year prison terms.
Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted.
Saddam shouted out "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq. Long live the Iraqi people!" after the judge announced the verdict.
He has the option to appeal the sentence.
In the meantime the long suffering people of Iraq wait to see if this verdict leads to a rise in violence, as predicted by some.
In the USA President Bush faces midterms on the 7th of November, it is predicted that the Republican party will be heavily defeated as voters vent their spleens on Bush for the failure of the Iraq mission. The voters will also bring Bush to account for the theft of $800M, designated to help rebuild Iraq, by key Iraqi officials from under the noses of the US administration.
Mission accomplished!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Saddam May Be Called To The Netherlands
A Dutch appeals court has indicated that it is studying the possibility of hearing testimony from Saddam Hussein as a witness in the appeals case of Frans Van Anraat a Dutch businessman, convicted for supplying chemicals used in gas attacks on Kurdish villages in Iraq in the 1980's.
Lawyers for Van Anraat have asked that Saddam and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid be called as witnesses.
The appeals court has asked an investigative judge to see if Saddam and other members of his regime could be heard "in the short term".
Van Anraat was sentenced to 15 years in prison, on December 23 2005, on charges of abetting war crimes.
Van Anraat lived as a fugitive in Iraq for 14 years, until the US invasion in 2003.
The date for the decision as to whether to call Saddam has not been released.
Lawyers for Van Anraat have asked that Saddam and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid be called as witnesses.
The appeals court has asked an investigative judge to see if Saddam and other members of his regime could be heard "in the short term".
Van Anraat was sentenced to 15 years in prison, on December 23 2005, on charges of abetting war crimes.
Van Anraat lived as a fugitive in Iraq for 14 years, until the US invasion in 2003.
The date for the decision as to whether to call Saddam has not been released.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Iraq's Prime Minister Calls For Execution
During yesterday's session of Saddam Hussein's trial, witnesses described their suffering during their detention in a desert prison in southern Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Saddam's Open Letter
Saddam Hussein has dictated an open letter to his chief lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi, during a meeting on Saturday in prison.
The letter is directed at the Iraqi people, in it he tells them that "victory is at hand".
Saddam then goes on to urge insurgents to show magnanimity to opponents, and he offers his forgiveness to those Iraqis who aided the killers of his two sons.
Saddam said that the Iraqis should put aside their differences, and concentrate on driving US troops out of the country.
Quote:
"Victory is at hand, but don't forget that your near-term goal is confined to liberating your country from the forces of occupation."
Adding:
"When you achieve victory and it is close remember you are God's soldiers which means you should show genuine forgiveness and put aside revenge over the spilled blood of the sons of Saddam Hussein.
I call on you to apply justice in your Jihad and not be drawn to recklessness and urge you to be forgiving rather than tough with those who have lost the path."
Meanwhile, the body count continues to rise.
The letter is directed at the Iraqi people, in it he tells them that "victory is at hand".
Saddam then goes on to urge insurgents to show magnanimity to opponents, and he offers his forgiveness to those Iraqis who aided the killers of his two sons.
Saddam said that the Iraqis should put aside their differences, and concentrate on driving US troops out of the country.
Quote:
"Victory is at hand, but don't forget that your near-term goal is confined to liberating your country from the forces of occupation."
Adding:
"When you achieve victory and it is close remember you are God's soldiers which means you should show genuine forgiveness and put aside revenge over the spilled blood of the sons of Saddam Hussein.
I call on you to apply justice in your Jihad and not be drawn to recklessness and urge you to be forgiving rather than tough with those who have lost the path."
Meanwhile, the body count continues to rise.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Trader Fights Extradition
Dr John Irving, a British oil trader, is fighting extradition to the USA on charges of allegedly paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime.
Should Dr Irving be extradited, and convicted, he faces up to 62 years in prison; he denies the charges.
Dr Irving's solicitor, Andrew Preston, has asked the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to examine charges laid down in a federal indictment.
He wants the charges to be investigated in Britain, rather than face extradition. In the US he may be denied bail, and held in a high security prison.
The extradition request made by the US is under the same controversial law as the NatWest Three, who are awaiting trial in Houston.
The law has been criticised as it was originally drafted to fight terrorism, now it is being used against alleged "white collar" crime.
Dr Irving is accused of assisting in the illegal payment of millions of dollars to Iraqi officials, in exchange for deals to buy discounted oil.
Dr Irving is the only Briton to have been indicted for corrupt behaviour under the UN's Oil-for-Food programme.
It is alleged that Dr Irving was working for Bayoil, a US oil trading company, and sent faxes to Iraq containing market information between 1997 and 2003. He is accused of paying inflated commissions to oil dealers in Iraq, while knowing that some of the money was being paid to the Iraqi regime. The indictment alleges that Dr Irving was one of those responsible for diverting funds from the Oil-for-Food programme.
Should Dr Irving be extradited, and convicted, he faces up to 62 years in prison; he denies the charges.
Dr Irving's solicitor, Andrew Preston, has asked the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to examine charges laid down in a federal indictment.
He wants the charges to be investigated in Britain, rather than face extradition. In the US he may be denied bail, and held in a high security prison.
The extradition request made by the US is under the same controversial law as the NatWest Three, who are awaiting trial in Houston.
The law has been criticised as it was originally drafted to fight terrorism, now it is being used against alleged "white collar" crime.
Dr Irving is accused of assisting in the illegal payment of millions of dollars to Iraqi officials, in exchange for deals to buy discounted oil.
Dr Irving is the only Briton to have been indicted for corrupt behaviour under the UN's Oil-for-Food programme.
It is alleged that Dr Irving was working for Bayoil, a US oil trading company, and sent faxes to Iraq containing market information between 1997 and 2003. He is accused of paying inflated commissions to oil dealers in Iraq, while knowing that some of the money was being paid to the Iraqi regime. The indictment alleges that Dr Irving was one of those responsible for diverting funds from the Oil-for-Food programme.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Little Saddam
Iraq has released its "most wanted" list, within which is a certain Raghad Hussein (eldest daughter of Saddam Hussein).
Raghad is known to have the same "endearing" temperament as her father, ie she is irascible and not one to cross, and as such is known as "Little Saddam".
When her brothers, Uday and Qusay, were killed by US troops in July 2003, Raghad and her sister Rana left Syria to seek refuge in Jordan. Their mother and a third daughter Hala, whose husband is in prison, went to Qatar.
Raghad has taken charge of the defence of Saddam, hiring and firing lawyers.
A former member of Saddam's defence committee said, in a newspaper interview, that it would not be surprising if she were aiding Iraqi resistance.
Raghad is known to have the same "endearing" temperament as her father, ie she is irascible and not one to cross, and as such is known as "Little Saddam".
When her brothers, Uday and Qusay, were killed by US troops in July 2003, Raghad and her sister Rana left Syria to seek refuge in Jordan. Their mother and a third daughter Hala, whose husband is in prison, went to Qatar.
Raghad has taken charge of the defence of Saddam, hiring and firing lawyers.
A former member of Saddam's defence committee said, in a newspaper interview, that it would not be surprising if she were aiding Iraqi resistance.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Saddam Dismisses Evidence
Saddam Hussein yesterday dismissed evidence suggesting that he authorised the execution of people under 18, the minimum age for death sentences under his rule.
Well he would say that, wouldn't he?
He was being cross-examined about the killing of Shias in the town of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.
During the session, a defence lawyer was ejected from court when she tried to display photos of Iraqis tortured in US run prisons.
She said:
"This is what the Americans did to Iraqis in Abu Ghraib." She said, as the court was examining alleged deaths during interrogation under Saddam Hussein's rule.
The prosecution produced documents that showed that 28 people, whose executions had been approved of by Saddam, were under 18.
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi presented the id cards of the children, and read out their dates of birth.
Saddam said that id cards could easily be forged.
Quote:
"There is a clear ulterior motive by those who have given you these documents. You can buy IDs like this in the market. Is it the responsibility of the head of the state to check the IDs of defendants and see how old he is?"
The trial continues.
Well he would say that, wouldn't he?
He was being cross-examined about the killing of Shias in the town of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.
During the session, a defence lawyer was ejected from court when she tried to display photos of Iraqis tortured in US run prisons.
She said:
"This is what the Americans did to Iraqis in Abu Ghraib." She said, as the court was examining alleged deaths during interrogation under Saddam Hussein's rule.
The prosecution produced documents that showed that 28 people, whose executions had been approved of by Saddam, were under 18.
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi presented the id cards of the children, and read out their dates of birth.
Saddam said that id cards could easily be forged.
Quote:
"There is a clear ulterior motive by those who have given you these documents. You can buy IDs like this in the market. Is it the responsibility of the head of the state to check the IDs of defendants and see how old he is?"
The trial continues.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Saddam Gives Interview From Prison
The following are excerpts from a phone interview with Saddam Hussein, conducted by Al-Fayhaa TV on March 28, 2006.
In the interview Saddam responds to a taped message issued by his former vice president and loyalist 'Izzat Al-Duri, who addressed the Arab League summit in Sudan.
The source for this transcript is The Middle East Media Research Institute.
If the interview is genuine, it appears that Saddam is dellusional. However, there is a strong possibility that the interview is fake.
Saddam Hussein: "All 'Izzat Al-Duri ever wanted was to address the Iraqis as their leader, even if just for a few short minutes. Everybody remembers that he once addressed the Iraqi Women's Union without my knowledge. Do you know what I did to him?"
Interviewer: "We don't know. Tell us."
[...]
Saddam Hussein: "The first thing I did when they brought him was to spit in his face."
Interviewer: "Why?"
Saddam Hussein: "I said to him: 'You despicable man, I spit on your owl's face. How do you address these glorious women without me knowing about it?'"
[...]
"The only one who makes speeches in Iraq is the supreme leader - meaning me.
"At this point 'Izzat Al-Duri pulled out his handkerchief and cried. I said to him: 'Look 'Izzat, this time I forgive you, but I swear by my honor, and the honor of the history of the Arab nation, that if you ever repeat this mistake I will cut your tongue off.'"
Interviewer: "And now he has repeated this mistake, as you call it, and has published a statement addressed to the [Arab League] summit, as was mentioned on one of the television stations."
Saddam Hussein: "I didn't hear the speech, because I'm in prison."
[...]
"Even though I am in prison, I don't allow anyone to speak on my behalf, so long as I live. I am still the president."
[...]
"Internet... Whatever... I give speeches without fearing anyone. I give speeches face to face..."
[...]
Interviewer: "You're in prison. How can you give speeches?"
Saddam Hussein: "That's a good question. You watch the court sessions. How many sessions have there been so far? Fifteen sessions?"
Interviewer: "Seventeen."
Saddam Hussein: "I give a speech at every single session."
[...]
"If I don't give speeches, I get heartburn.
"If 'Izzat Al-Duri is alive and he can hear me, I want to address him, through you, and to tell him to beware."
[...]
"Isn't this a disgrace? The leader of the Arabs - 'Izzat Al-Duri speaks on his behalf?! 'Izzat Al-Duri doesn't even know how to stand at attention. He should speak on behalf of Saddam Hussein? Any speech that doesn't receive my signature is unofficial, illegitimate, and illegal."
[...]
"He should beware and shut up. Why does he make speeches and exploit state funds? I left the funds under your responsibility. Billions of dollars... I left you the funds and you should use them properly. He goes and blows up mosques, markets, and schools."
[...]
"I know that people who listen to me might think that Saddam Hussein has become apathetic in prison and stopped supporting terrorism. No. I'm not ashamed to tell you that Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into dust."
Interviewer: "This reminds me that in one of your speeches, you said that you would leave Iraq a country without a people."
Saddam Hussein: "What is the people worth without Saddam Hussein?! What is it worth? Iraq is entirely Saddam Hussein. 'Long live Iraq' means 'long live Saddam Hussein.' What is Iraq worth without Saddam Hussein?"
Interviewer: "You keep on with those slogans? You still cling to them..."
Saddam Hussein: "I was brought up on it. How do you want me to go back on this? Iraqis hear these things about me as soon as they come out of their mothers' wombs."
[...]
"I repeat: Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into ashes.
"I call to punish 'Izzat Al-Duri, because he burned my heart."
Interviewer: "Why, because he published a statement without your permission?"
Saddam Hussein: "He gave a speech without me knowing it. The punishment that I want for him is to cut off his tongue and ears."
Interviewer: "Why cutting off his tongue and ears?"
Saddam Hussein: "To make him the same as all the renegades whose tongues and ears I cut off. And if 'Izzat Al-Duri continues giving speeches in sign language, like the deaf do, I demand that his hands be cut off. And so on and so forth, until 'Izzat Al-Duri is finished, and we get rid of this degenerate."
In the interview Saddam responds to a taped message issued by his former vice president and loyalist 'Izzat Al-Duri, who addressed the Arab League summit in Sudan.
The source for this transcript is The Middle East Media Research Institute.
If the interview is genuine, it appears that Saddam is dellusional. However, there is a strong possibility that the interview is fake.
Saddam Hussein: "All 'Izzat Al-Duri ever wanted was to address the Iraqis as their leader, even if just for a few short minutes. Everybody remembers that he once addressed the Iraqi Women's Union without my knowledge. Do you know what I did to him?"
Interviewer: "We don't know. Tell us."
[...]
Saddam Hussein: "The first thing I did when they brought him was to spit in his face."
Interviewer: "Why?"
Saddam Hussein: "I said to him: 'You despicable man, I spit on your owl's face. How do you address these glorious women without me knowing about it?'"
[...]
"The only one who makes speeches in Iraq is the supreme leader - meaning me.
"At this point 'Izzat Al-Duri pulled out his handkerchief and cried. I said to him: 'Look 'Izzat, this time I forgive you, but I swear by my honor, and the honor of the history of the Arab nation, that if you ever repeat this mistake I will cut your tongue off.'"
Interviewer: "And now he has repeated this mistake, as you call it, and has published a statement addressed to the [Arab League] summit, as was mentioned on one of the television stations."
Saddam Hussein: "I didn't hear the speech, because I'm in prison."
[...]
"Even though I am in prison, I don't allow anyone to speak on my behalf, so long as I live. I am still the president."
[...]
"Internet... Whatever... I give speeches without fearing anyone. I give speeches face to face..."
[...]
Interviewer: "You're in prison. How can you give speeches?"
Saddam Hussein: "That's a good question. You watch the court sessions. How many sessions have there been so far? Fifteen sessions?"
Interviewer: "Seventeen."
Saddam Hussein: "I give a speech at every single session."
[...]
"If I don't give speeches, I get heartburn.
"If 'Izzat Al-Duri is alive and he can hear me, I want to address him, through you, and to tell him to beware."
[...]
"Isn't this a disgrace? The leader of the Arabs - 'Izzat Al-Duri speaks on his behalf?! 'Izzat Al-Duri doesn't even know how to stand at attention. He should speak on behalf of Saddam Hussein? Any speech that doesn't receive my signature is unofficial, illegitimate, and illegal."
[...]
"He should beware and shut up. Why does he make speeches and exploit state funds? I left the funds under your responsibility. Billions of dollars... I left you the funds and you should use them properly. He goes and blows up mosques, markets, and schools."
[...]
"I know that people who listen to me might think that Saddam Hussein has become apathetic in prison and stopped supporting terrorism. No. I'm not ashamed to tell you that Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into dust."
Interviewer: "This reminds me that in one of your speeches, you said that you would leave Iraq a country without a people."
Saddam Hussein: "What is the people worth without Saddam Hussein?! What is it worth? Iraq is entirely Saddam Hussein. 'Long live Iraq' means 'long live Saddam Hussein.' What is Iraq worth without Saddam Hussein?"
Interviewer: "You keep on with those slogans? You still cling to them..."
Saddam Hussein: "I was brought up on it. How do you want me to go back on this? Iraqis hear these things about me as soon as they come out of their mothers' wombs."
[...]
"I repeat: Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into ashes.
"I call to punish 'Izzat Al-Duri, because he burned my heart."
Interviewer: "Why, because he published a statement without your permission?"
Saddam Hussein: "He gave a speech without me knowing it. The punishment that I want for him is to cut off his tongue and ears."
Interviewer: "Why cutting off his tongue and ears?"
Saddam Hussein: "To make him the same as all the renegades whose tongues and ears I cut off. And if 'Izzat Al-Duri continues giving speeches in sign language, like the deaf do, I demand that his hands be cut off. And so on and so forth, until 'Izzat Al-Duri is finished, and we get rid of this degenerate."
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Denials
Saddam Hussein's half brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, appeared in court today. He denies that he ordered the arrests of 148 villagers, who were later executed.
Quote:
"I didn't order the arrest of any one, and I didn't interrogate any one.
I didn't supervise any interrogation, and I didn't read any memos."
He read verses from the Koran during his testimony, saying:
"All this time I have been held for a political reasons, for reasons without foundation."
Al-Tikriti claimed that he did not know why he had been arrested:
"In two weeks I will have spent about three years in prison
I was put in prison, and I didn't know what crime I was accused of."
The trial continues.
Quote:
"I didn't order the arrest of any one, and I didn't interrogate any one.
I didn't supervise any interrogation, and I didn't read any memos."
He read verses from the Koran during his testimony, saying:
"All this time I have been held for a political reasons, for reasons without foundation."
Al-Tikriti claimed that he did not know why he had been arrested:
"In two weeks I will have spent about three years in prison
I was put in prison, and I didn't know what crime I was accused of."
The trial continues.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Stop Start
The trial of Saddam Hussein continues in rather a stop start fashion, as it was again adjourned yesterday; this time until the 24th of January 2006.
Saddam Hussein managed to verbally bombast the US president and Israel; he claimed that prison officials had manhandled him and stolen his money, his personal watch and another watch given to him by his daughter.
Taha Yassin Ramadan, formerly a top aide of Saddam, said that buildings had been demolished for security reasons. He also alleged he had been tortured during his detention, and that one of his toes had been broken by the interrogators.
He requested that the court session be held closed door.
Chief of the Investigation Department of the Higher Criminal Court, Judge Raed Juhi, issued s statement denying the torture allegations.
An official stressed that the interrogators were abiding by human rights rules, and that the defendants were receiving good and humane treatment.
Saddam Hussein managed to verbally bombast the US president and Israel; he claimed that prison officials had manhandled him and stolen his money, his personal watch and another watch given to him by his daughter.
Taha Yassin Ramadan, formerly a top aide of Saddam, said that buildings had been demolished for security reasons. He also alleged he had been tortured during his detention, and that one of his toes had been broken by the interrogators.
He requested that the court session be held closed door.
Chief of the Investigation Department of the Higher Criminal Court, Judge Raed Juhi, issued s statement denying the torture allegations.
An official stressed that the interrogators were abiding by human rights rules, and that the defendants were receiving good and humane treatment.
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