During yesterday's session of Saddam Hussein's trial the first eyewitness for a mass grave of Kurdish people in Western Iraq, during the Saddam's crackdown on Kurds insurgency, took the stand on condition of anonymity.
The witness described how he, and other Kurdish people, were driven through unpaved roads to Iraq's western desert.
Quote:
"We heard screaming and gunfire but it was far from us.
One of the detainees told us to recite the Shahada (Muslim declaration of faith) and ask for forgiveness as we are going to die in few minutes."
The witness went on to say that he tried to run away, but that he fell into a ditch full of bodies. As he continued to make good his escape, he said that he saw many ditches full of bodies in the desert.
A second anonymous Kurdish witness said that Iraqi soldiers took detainees, including himself, to the desert and attempted to execute them.
Quote:
"They put us, altogether 34 persons, in vehicles. We had thought they would take us back home, but they took us to the south and we were blindfolded.
We didn't know where exactly we were taking to until our vehicles arrived at an area where we could heard the shovels burying bodies who were executed before."
The witness was wounded, and several other detainees were killed, when they attacked the guards who opened fire on them.
The witness added:
"After cease-fire I ran for twenty minutes until I reached a camp."
Chief Judge Muhammed Ureiby then adjourned the court until today.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Discord
Saddam Hussein yesterday accused witnesses of sowing discord for Israel's benefit, in their testimonies about conditions in detention camps under his regime.
Saddam was rebutting two Kurdish witnesses who had testified that they were detained in 1988 in a camp, where conditions were so bad that hundreds died of malnutrition.
Quote:
"This will only serve the separation.
The Zionists are the only ones who will benefit from the differences among Iraqis."
Saddam also pooh poohed the prosecution claims that he ran a police state, saying:
"Our country and government are real.
What is unreal and unbelievable are the heads, which are falling in the streets nowadays."
Whatever Saddam may say, it is not unreasonable to point out that Iraq was a police state under his control.
The trial continues today.
Saddam was rebutting two Kurdish witnesses who had testified that they were detained in 1988 in a camp, where conditions were so bad that hundreds died of malnutrition.
Quote:
"This will only serve the separation.
The Zionists are the only ones who will benefit from the differences among Iraqis."
Saddam also pooh poohed the prosecution claims that he ran a police state, saying:
"Our country and government are real.
What is unreal and unbelievable are the heads, which are falling in the streets nowadays."
Whatever Saddam may say, it is not unreasonable to point out that Iraq was a police state under his control.
The trial continues today.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Iraq Descends Into Chaos
Imad al-Faroon, the brother of the senior prosecutor in Saddam Hussein's second trial, was shot dead in front of his wife at his home in Baghdad yesterday.
Al-Faroon's brother is chief prosecutor Muqith al-Faroon, who is leading the prosecution in Saddam's second trial.
Imad al-Faroon was a legal adviser to Ahmed Chalabi, an Iraqi exile who returned to a prominent position after the US toppled Saddam.
The assassination again raises questions about the security situation in Iraq, and what possible hope for the future that the citizens of that troubled country may have.
Al-Faroon's brother is chief prosecutor Muqith al-Faroon, who is leading the prosecution in Saddam's second trial.
Imad al-Faroon was a legal adviser to Ahmed Chalabi, an Iraqi exile who returned to a prominent position after the US toppled Saddam.
The assassination again raises questions about the security situation in Iraq, and what possible hope for the future that the citizens of that troubled country may have.
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.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Farce Continues
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.
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.
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.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Bloodbath Predicted
It seems that the reason for the delay in issuing a verdict in the first trial of Saddam Hussein, may be fears that his execution would lead to a bloodbath in Iraq.
That at least is the view of former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark, a member of Saddam Hussein's defence team.
Clark said at a news conference that he feared that should Saddam and the others be hanged, "catastrophic violence" would follow that would lead to:
"the end of civilisation as we know it in the birthplace of civilisation, Mesopotamia. Total, unmitigated chaos."
Clark believes that Saddam's Sunni Muslim tribe of 1.5 million would consider the execution a revenge killing by the Shiite-controlled and U.S. sponsored government.
It seems that although Saddam may no longer be in office, he still seems to have power over the people of Iraq. This does not bode well for the future.
That at least is the view of former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark, a member of Saddam Hussein's defence team.
Clark said at a news conference that he feared that should Saddam and the others be hanged, "catastrophic violence" would follow that would lead to:
"the end of civilisation as we know it in the birthplace of civilisation, Mesopotamia. Total, unmitigated chaos."
Clark believes that Saddam's Sunni Muslim tribe of 1.5 million would consider the execution a revenge killing by the Shiite-controlled and U.S. sponsored government.
It seems that although Saddam may no longer be in office, he still seems to have power over the people of Iraq. This does not bode well for the future.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Verdict Delayed
The verdict in the first trial of Saddam Hussein has been delayed indefinitely.
The verdict was due to be announced on 16 October, when the court reconvenes, but officials now say evidence will be reviewed at the session.
A prosecutor said that defence lawyers could submit written documents, after which a verdict date could be set.
Saddam is also being tried separately for genocide linked to a 1980's offensive against the Kurds.
No reason has been given for the delay in issuing a verdict. This delay hardly adds credibility to the trial process.
The verdict was due to be announced on 16 October, when the court reconvenes, but officials now say evidence will be reviewed at the session.
A prosecutor said that defence lawyers could submit written documents, after which a verdict date could be set.
Saddam is also being tried separately for genocide linked to a 1980's offensive against the Kurds.
No reason has been given for the delay in issuing a verdict. This delay hardly adds credibility to the trial process.
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