Donald Rumsfeld in his memoir "Known and Unknown", excerpts of which have been leaked, expresses a regret that he he did not leave office at the time of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. However, he also spends much time blaming all and sundry for the Iraq debacle.
One of targets of his ire, John McCain, retorted:
"Thank God he was relieved of his duties and we put the surge in. Otherwise, we would have had a disastrous defeat in Iraq."
Ironically, Rumsfeld is due to receive the "Defender of The Constitution" Award from the right of centre Political Action Conference.
That doubtless will "amuse" those who have been on the receiving end of his authorisation to use torture.
Showing posts with label torture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label torture. Show all posts
Friday, February 04, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bush's Claims Backfire
Former President George Bush's claims that "waterboarding" garnered valuable intelligence that saved lives have been disputed in the UK.
Lord MacDonald, former Director of Public Prosecutions, said:
"These stories about waterboarding thwarting attacks on Canary Wharf and Heathrow - I've never seen anything to substantiate these claims.
These claims are to be treated with a great deal of scepticism."
Legal experts are also of the view that, having sanctioned the interrogation technique, Bush could be arrested for breaking international law if he travels abroad.
Lord MacDonald, former Director of Public Prosecutions, said:
"These stories about waterboarding thwarting attacks on Canary Wharf and Heathrow - I've never seen anything to substantiate these claims.
These claims are to be treated with a great deal of scepticism."
Legal experts are also of the view that, having sanctioned the interrogation technique, Bush could be arrested for breaking international law if he travels abroad.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Bush Defends Waterboarding
The Guardian quotes former President Bush as defending the technique of "waterboarding" (now banned under President Obama) terrorist suspects:
"I knew an interrogation programme this sensitive and controversial would one day become public. When it did, we would open ourselves up to criticism that America had compromised our moral values. I would have preferred that we get the information another way. But the choice between security and values was real.
Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London, and multiple targets in the United States."
There is much debate as to whether (morality aside) techniques such as this actually produce any real information that actually saves lives.
"I knew an interrogation programme this sensitive and controversial would one day become public. When it did, we would open ourselves up to criticism that America had compromised our moral values. I would have preferred that we get the information another way. But the choice between security and values was real.
Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London, and multiple targets in the United States."
There is much debate as to whether (morality aside) techniques such as this actually produce any real information that actually saves lives.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Deja Vu
Isn't this what the so called "regime change" meant to stop?
Iraqi shoe-thrower: I was tortured with electric shocks
Iraqi shoe-thrower: I was tortured with electric shocks
Monday, September 08, 2008
Abu Ghraib To Reopen
Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq is to reopen as a prison in a year, and a facility will be constructed within the prison to act as a museum documenting Saddam Hussein's crimes.
Abu Ghraib has not held prisoners since 2006. A section of the site will be converted into a museum, featuring execution chamber exhibits and other displays of torture tools used by Saddam's regime.
However, there will be no documentation of the abuse carried out there by US military personnel that was revealed in 2004.
Iraq's deputy justice minister, Busho Ibrahim, is quoted by The Associated Press as saying that the American brutality was "nothing" compared with the violence and atrocities of Saddam and the Baath party.
"There is evidence of the crimes (Saddam committed) such as the hooks used to dangle prisoners, tools used to beat and torture prisoners and ... the execution chambers in which 50 or 100 people were killed at once."
Abu Ghraib has not held prisoners since 2006. A section of the site will be converted into a museum, featuring execution chamber exhibits and other displays of torture tools used by Saddam's regime.
However, there will be no documentation of the abuse carried out there by US military personnel that was revealed in 2004.
Iraq's deputy justice minister, Busho Ibrahim, is quoted by The Associated Press as saying that the American brutality was "nothing" compared with the violence and atrocities of Saddam and the Baath party.
"There is evidence of the crimes (Saddam committed) such as the hooks used to dangle prisoners, tools used to beat and torture prisoners and ... the execution chambers in which 50 or 100 people were killed at once."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Dodgy Dossier - First Draft
After many years of ministerial obfuscation and evasion, the British people have been finally allowed to read the text of the first draft of the so called "dodgy dossier" that took them war in Iraq on a false premise - namely that Saddam Hussein possessed WMD.
The first draft made a series of claims about the extent and danger of the Iraqi president's weapons arsenal. However, by the time the final version (the basis for war) was released in September 2002, those had been "sexed up".
In other words, in order to justify the war, Blair and his acolytes adjusted the facts.
The first draft was written by John Williams, the former director of communications at the Foreign Office (ie a spin doctor, not a security expert). He warned that Saddam had come to power by "torture, rape and execution" and concluded that Iraq presented a "uniquely dangerous threat to the world".
There was no mention of Saddam's capability (now disproved) of launching WMD in 45 minutes.
The final dossier, allegedly written by John Scarlett, who was then the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, stated:
"Iraq's military forces are able to use chemical and biological weapons, with command, control and logistical arrangements in place. The Iraqi military are able to deploy these weapons within 45 minutes of a decision to do so."
Last night, Mr Williams told BBC Radio 4's PM programme:
"The 45-minutes claim was absolutely nothing whatever to do with me. It was news to me."
Opposition parties have renewed their calls for a public inquiry into the build-up to the war.
I doubt that Tony Blair cares much one way or another, given that in a supreme twist of sick irony he is now the so called Middle East peace envoy.
The first draft made a series of claims about the extent and danger of the Iraqi president's weapons arsenal. However, by the time the final version (the basis for war) was released in September 2002, those had been "sexed up".
In other words, in order to justify the war, Blair and his acolytes adjusted the facts.
The first draft was written by John Williams, the former director of communications at the Foreign Office (ie a spin doctor, not a security expert). He warned that Saddam had come to power by "torture, rape and execution" and concluded that Iraq presented a "uniquely dangerous threat to the world".
There was no mention of Saddam's capability (now disproved) of launching WMD in 45 minutes.
The final dossier, allegedly written by John Scarlett, who was then the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, stated:
"Iraq's military forces are able to use chemical and biological weapons, with command, control and logistical arrangements in place. The Iraqi military are able to deploy these weapons within 45 minutes of a decision to do so."
Last night, Mr Williams told BBC Radio 4's PM programme:
"The 45-minutes claim was absolutely nothing whatever to do with me. It was news to me."
Opposition parties have renewed their calls for a public inquiry into the build-up to the war.
I doubt that Tony Blair cares much one way or another, given that in a supreme twist of sick irony he is now the so called Middle East peace envoy.
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.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Pictures of Execution Shown To Prisoners
It seems that prisoners being held by the US in Guantanamo Bay have been shown photos of Saddam Hussein, hanging from a rope following his execution.
That at least is the case according to lawyers for David Hicks, Australia's only Guantanamo inmate.
Joshua Dratel, the lead American lawyer for Hicks, said that pictures of Saddam's trial were also shown to detainees, along with articles about executions carried out by extremists.
Quote:
"Displaying photos of condemned men to those who may be facing capital charges can only be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate and compel submission under a threat of death and mentally torture an already abused detainee population."
A spokesman for Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said:
"This is the first we've heard of it. Mr Hicks did not take the issue up with the consul-general when he had the opportunity, nor has the legal team made an approach to us to follow it up with the Americans.
It's very hard to attempt to verify some of these claims if Mr Hicks himself doesn't feel the need to raise it with us directly."
That at least is the case according to lawyers for David Hicks, Australia's only Guantanamo inmate.
Joshua Dratel, the lead American lawyer for Hicks, said that pictures of Saddam's trial were also shown to detainees, along with articles about executions carried out by extremists.
Quote:
"Displaying photos of condemned men to those who may be facing capital charges can only be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate and compel submission under a threat of death and mentally torture an already abused detainee population."
A spokesman for Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said:
"This is the first we've heard of it. Mr Hicks did not take the issue up with the consul-general when he had the opportunity, nor has the legal team made an approach to us to follow it up with the Americans.
It's very hard to attempt to verify some of these claims if Mr Hicks himself doesn't feel the need to raise it with us directly."
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Call Bush To Account
Can anyone explain to me how it is that the US and UK governments are still claiming that the lives of the Iraqi people have improved since the regime change?
Iraq's Death Squads 2 builds on a previous Dispatches investigation (7 Nov 2006) which revealed the close links between London & Washington backed Shia politicians as the new democratic leaders of Iraq & the death squads responsible for mass murder.
Thousands of civilians are being deliberately killed every month in Iraq - more than were killed in the final years of Saddam's regime. Working with local Iraqi journalists, reporter Deborah Davies shows how night after night death squads rampage through Baghdad's previously mixed neighbourhoods. Up to a hundred bodies a day are dumped on the streets, often showing signs of torture with electric drills. Whole areas of Baghdad have now been ethnically cleansed.
While the US and UK governments have been blaming Sunni insurgents and al-Qaeda for the deaths, Dispatches reveals how the majority of these murders have been carried out by the Shia militia which have systematically infiltrated and taken over police units and entire government ministries. And it highlights how the killers act with impunity - there's little investigation into their activities.
Bush and Blair need to be called to account for this.
Iraq's Death Squads 2 builds on a previous Dispatches investigation (7 Nov 2006) which revealed the close links between London & Washington backed Shia politicians as the new democratic leaders of Iraq & the death squads responsible for mass murder.
Thousands of civilians are being deliberately killed every month in Iraq - more than were killed in the final years of Saddam's regime. Working with local Iraqi journalists, reporter Deborah Davies shows how night after night death squads rampage through Baghdad's previously mixed neighbourhoods. Up to a hundred bodies a day are dumped on the streets, often showing signs of torture with electric drills. Whole areas of Baghdad have now been ethnically cleansed.
While the US and UK governments have been blaming Sunni insurgents and al-Qaeda for the deaths, Dispatches reveals how the majority of these murders have been carried out by the Shia militia which have systematically infiltrated and taken over police units and entire government ministries. And it highlights how the killers act with impunity - there's little investigation into their activities.
Bush and Blair need to be called to account for this.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
What Goes Around, Comes Around
In an interesting reversal of fate, it appears that Donald Rumsfeld one of the men primarily responsible for the Iraq fiasco may face criminal abuse charges.
Rumsfeld, who was "resigned" as US defence secretary this week, may face criminal charges in Germany for alleged abuses in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.
The US group Centre for Constitutional Rights, representing a Saudi detained in Cuba and 11 Iraqis held in Baghdad, has filed a criminal complaint against Rumsfeld.
German law allows the pursuit of cases originating anywhere in the world.
A similar request was made in 2004 by the centre, but German prosecutors dropped that case.
The argument runs that Rumsfeld was instrumental in abuses committed at Guantanamo Bay and at Abu Ghraib jail in Baghdad, and that Rumsfeld personally approved torture to be used to extract information from the prisoners.
In addition to filing charges against Rumsfeld, the centre also wants to prosecute US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former CIA director George Tenet.
The complaint will be filed with German federal prosecutors on Tuesday.
How ironic that as Saddam has been brought to a form of "justice", those that initiated the attack should also face legal scrutiny for their actions. It is even more ironic given Rumsfeld's association with Saddam back in the 1980's.
Rumsfeld, who was "resigned" as US defence secretary this week, may face criminal charges in Germany for alleged abuses in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.
The US group Centre for Constitutional Rights, representing a Saudi detained in Cuba and 11 Iraqis held in Baghdad, has filed a criminal complaint against Rumsfeld.
German law allows the pursuit of cases originating anywhere in the world.
A similar request was made in 2004 by the centre, but German prosecutors dropped that case.
The argument runs that Rumsfeld was instrumental in abuses committed at Guantanamo Bay and at Abu Ghraib jail in Baghdad, and that Rumsfeld personally approved torture to be used to extract information from the prisoners.
In addition to filing charges against Rumsfeld, the centre also wants to prosecute US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former CIA director George Tenet.
The complaint will be filed with German federal prosecutors on Tuesday.
How ironic that as Saddam has been brought to a form of "justice", those that initiated the attack should also face legal scrutiny for their actions. It is even more ironic given Rumsfeld's association with Saddam back in the 1980's.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Closing Arguments
The closing arguments are now being presented in the trial of Saddam Hussein. The prosecution has today called for the "heaviest possible penalty".
The final defence arguments are scheduled for 10 July, after which the five-judge panel will consider its verdict.
The prosecution lawyers said that the defendants had "carried out a systematic, wide-scale attack" in Dujail.
"They carried out broad imprisonments of men, women and children, who were exposed to physical and mental torture, including the use of electrical shocks."
They are demanding the maximum punishment for the defendants, ie the death penalty.
One of the defendants, Barzan al-Tikriti Saddam Hussein's half-brother, tried to interrupt Chief Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman several times.
The judge told him he would be able to speak after the prosecution had concluded its arguments.
The trial continues.
The final defence arguments are scheduled for 10 July, after which the five-judge panel will consider its verdict.
The prosecution lawyers said that the defendants had "carried out a systematic, wide-scale attack" in Dujail.
"They carried out broad imprisonments of men, women and children, who were exposed to physical and mental torture, including the use of electrical shocks."
They are demanding the maximum punishment for the defendants, ie the death penalty.
One of the defendants, Barzan al-Tikriti Saddam Hussein's half-brother, tried to interrupt Chief Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman several times.
The judge told him he would be able to speak after the prosecution had concluded its arguments.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
A Sad Irony
Amnesty International have issued a report, entitled "Beyond Abu Ghraib: Detention and Torture in Iraq", that says that three years after Saddam Hussein was ousted the human rights situation in Iraq remains "dire".
The report states:
"From the outset, the occupying forces attached insufficient weight to human rights considerations...
Three years after it toppled Saddam Hussein, the US-led alliance has failed to put in place measures which respect the basic rights of detainees under its control and to safeguard them from possible torture or other abuses....
The picture that is emerging is one in which the Iraqi authorities are systematically violating the rights of detainees.."
The reason for the invasion was what precisely?
The report states:
"From the outset, the occupying forces attached insufficient weight to human rights considerations...
Three years after it toppled Saddam Hussein, the US-led alliance has failed to put in place measures which respect the basic rights of detainees under its control and to safeguard them from possible torture or other abuses....
The picture that is emerging is one in which the Iraqi authorities are systematically violating the rights of detainees.."
The reason for the invasion was what precisely?
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Bush Meets Some of Saddam's Victims
In Washington President Bush met with a group of victims of Saddam Hussein's regime, who had witnessed brutal actions against human rights.
President Bush said that the victims that he met "have suffered, one way or the other, because the tyrant was a law unto himself, and was willing to deny people basic human rights."
He said the stories that he heard from the victims were "compelling", and conveyed both sadness and bravery.
Quote:
"In the course of our discussion, we were also able to talk about what a contrast it is between a society which was willing to jail people, torture people and beat people and kill people, to a society that is beginning to understand the fruits of democracy and freedom."
President Bush assured the victims that the United States will stand with the Iraqi people, until Iraq can defend itself and will not be "a safe haven for the terrorists."
That is a very open ended commitment, which may take years to deliver.
The question is, are the American people prepared to stay the course?
President Bush said that the victims that he met "have suffered, one way or the other, because the tyrant was a law unto himself, and was willing to deny people basic human rights."
He said the stories that he heard from the victims were "compelling", and conveyed both sadness and bravery.
Quote:
"In the course of our discussion, we were also able to talk about what a contrast it is between a society which was willing to jail people, torture people and beat people and kill people, to a society that is beginning to understand the fruits of democracy and freedom."
President Bush assured the victims that the United States will stand with the Iraqi people, until Iraq can defend itself and will not be "a safe haven for the terrorists."
That is a very open ended commitment, which may take years to deliver.
The question is, are the American people prepared to stay the course?
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.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Saddam Grandstands Again
Saddam Hussein in court today claimed that the Bush administration had lied when it claimed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, as well as when it disputed his claims of being beaten.
Quote:
"The White House lies once more. The number-one liar in the world, they said in Iraq, there is chemicals, and there is a relation to terrorism, and they announced later we couldn't find any of that in Iraq.
Also, they said that what Saddam Hussein (said) was not true".
He then spoke of his allegations , made yesterday about being beaten:
"I have documented the injuries I had before three American medical teams."
Hussein then added that the medical teams numbered "two, for sure, unequivocally."
Then, for good measure:
"We don't lie. The White House lies."
The defence have requested that the testimony of prosecution witnesses not be broadcast, until all the witnesses have testified. They claim that witnesses are watching each other's testimonies and then repeating them. The court will consider this request.
One witness who testified today from behind a curtain to protect his identity. He said that when he was 8 years that his father, three uncles and grandmother were arrested and imprisoned.
"She complained to us about what had happened to her. They used to torture her before her children and they would torture her children before her. She said, 'They tortured us, and we did not know for what reason.'"
The defence noted that he Defense was a child at the time, and that he was not arrested and did not see any torture or killings personally.
Saddam interjected too:
"His testimony is documented and accepted, and he's underage (at the time)?" This is something I would like to understand. Is this allowed? Is this permissible?"
The trial continues.
Quote:
"The White House lies once more. The number-one liar in the world, they said in Iraq, there is chemicals, and there is a relation to terrorism, and they announced later we couldn't find any of that in Iraq.
Also, they said that what Saddam Hussein (said) was not true".
He then spoke of his allegations , made yesterday about being beaten:
"I have documented the injuries I had before three American medical teams."
Hussein then added that the medical teams numbered "two, for sure, unequivocally."
Then, for good measure:
"We don't lie. The White House lies."
The defence have requested that the testimony of prosecution witnesses not be broadcast, until all the witnesses have testified. They claim that witnesses are watching each other's testimonies and then repeating them. The court will consider this request.
One witness who testified today from behind a curtain to protect his identity. He said that when he was 8 years that his father, three uncles and grandmother were arrested and imprisoned.
"She complained to us about what had happened to her. They used to torture her before her children and they would torture her children before her. She said, 'They tortured us, and we did not know for what reason.'"
The defence noted that he Defense was a child at the time, and that he was not arrested and did not see any torture or killings personally.
Saddam interjected too:
"His testimony is documented and accepted, and he's underage (at the time)?" This is something I would like to understand. Is this allowed? Is this permissible?"
The trial continues.
Saddam Hussein Alleges He Was Beaten
Saddam Hussein has accused US troops of beating and torturing him whilst he was in jail.
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
Saddam, whilst speaking at his trial yesterday, claimed that evidence of torture could be seen all over his body.
The prosecution pooh poohed the claims, saying that Saddam was relatively comfortable as his room was comfortable and air-conditioned room. They noted that many people in Baghdad have an unreliable electricity supply, which makes air conditioning the stuff of dreams.
Saddam made his claim after several hours of testimony, which included witnesses who claimed that Saddam's agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.
One of the witnesses was al-Haidari, who stated that seven of his brothers were executed by Saddam's soldiers and that their bodies have never been found.
He told the court that he, and other residents of his village, were taken to Baghdad and thrown into a prison where people were given electric shocks and regular beatings.
Saddam then took it upon himself to speak, and claimed that he had been tortured and beaten on every part of his body, and that his seven co-defendants had also been beaten.
Quote:
"I would say yes, we were beaten up. We were beaten up by Americans and we were tortured.
Every one of us.
This man when he gets up he has to hold the railing because he was beaten up badly. He was beaten badly with rifle butts on his back".
The Chief Prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said that he would investigate the claims; stating that if they were true, Saddam would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.
Christopher Reid of the US embassy in Baghdad said that the claims were bogus.
Quote:
"We heard Barzon al-Tikriti complaining about his treatment and saying the cigarettes I'm getting are terrible and I only get six a day, that kind of a complaint. So nowhere then was anything mentioned about being beaten or whatever.
So I think these are bogus claims, they're designed to ambush the court, and they're designed to really play on or play against some of the testimony that we've had in the case so far".
Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman, said:
"I know of nothing that would substantiate such a claim. He's given to grandstanding in this trial. But where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised".
Monday, December 05, 2005
Trial Resumes
Saddam Hussein's trial resumed again today, after a brief suspension 90 minute suspension this morning, following the walkout by his defence team.
They returned when the court reversed its decision, banning general Clark and others from speaking, and allowed the foreign members of the team to speak.
Judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin agreed to allowing them to speak, because of the court's desire to pursue its work "in transparency, it has agreed to listen to the oral arguments of the two defense attorneys".
Clark was given five minutes to speak, and al-Nuaimi was given 16 minutes. Clark's spoke about security, while al-Nuaimi spoke about the legitimacy of the court.
Amin told them off when they "went off subject", to discuss politics.
Clark said:
"If every form of participation in the judicial process is not protected, the judicial system will fail and be destroyed. The defense can not participate in this case until there is protection in place for the lawyers and their families."
The trial then saw and heard its first living witness, Ahmed Hassan Mohammed al-Dujaili then took the stand.
He said:
"Massive forces came down to Dujail as if there was a war. I saw, by God, a scene I will never forget. I saw a machine that is like a grinder, and there was blood and hair inside."
Saddam Hussein interrupted several times, saying:
"You haven't given me pen or paper? How can I write down my ideas and notes?.."
al-Dujaili continued:
"Torture didn't exclude anyone. I was just 15 years old. I saw a women being tortured -- You took my brother but why did you take my mother and sisters?"
They returned when the court reversed its decision, banning general Clark and others from speaking, and allowed the foreign members of the team to speak.
Judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin agreed to allowing them to speak, because of the court's desire to pursue its work "in transparency, it has agreed to listen to the oral arguments of the two defense attorneys".
Clark was given five minutes to speak, and al-Nuaimi was given 16 minutes. Clark's spoke about security, while al-Nuaimi spoke about the legitimacy of the court.
Amin told them off when they "went off subject", to discuss politics.
Clark said:
"If every form of participation in the judicial process is not protected, the judicial system will fail and be destroyed. The defense can not participate in this case until there is protection in place for the lawyers and their families."
The trial then saw and heard its first living witness, Ahmed Hassan Mohammed al-Dujaili then took the stand.
He said:
"Massive forces came down to Dujail as if there was a war. I saw, by God, a scene I will never forget. I saw a machine that is like a grinder, and there was blood and hair inside."
Saddam Hussein interrupted several times, saying:
"You haven't given me pen or paper? How can I write down my ideas and notes?.."
al-Dujaili continued:
"Torture didn't exclude anyone. I was just 15 years old. I saw a women being tortured -- You took my brother but why did you take my mother and sisters?"
Monday, November 28, 2005
Saddam Hussein's Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein has resumed today, amidst tight security.
He, and seven henchmen, are facing charges of murder and torture.
To date, two defence lawyers have been murdered; and the chief investigator and many witnesses have received death threats.
The trial is taking place in Baghdad's "green zone".
The trial began on October 19, and was adjourned for 40 days in order to give the defence more time to prepare.
Saddam has pleaded "not guilty", if he is found guilty he faces the death penalty.
He, and seven henchmen, are facing charges of murder and torture.
To date, two defence lawyers have been murdered; and the chief investigator and many witnesses have received death threats.
The trial is taking place in Baghdad's "green zone".
The trial began on October 19, and was adjourned for 40 days in order to give the defence more time to prepare.
Saddam has pleaded "not guilty", if he is found guilty he faces the death penalty.
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