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Saddam trial to begin on October 19

Atul Aneja

MANAMA: Iraq's former President Saddam Hussein will begin facing trial from October 19, it has been officially announced.

The announcement by the Iraqi government spokesman follows the reconstitution of the legal team that will defend the former President. Mr. Hussein's eldest daughter, Raghad, has taken the initiative to bring together a team of international lawyers headed by Iraqi lawyer Khalil Dulaimi.

"We have formed a legal defence team that includes prominent American, European, Asian and Arab lawyers who were chosen on the basis of competence and merit to put up a strong defence," Abdul Haq al-Ani, a legal adviser to Ms. Raghad said.

Mr. Hussein has been charged with killing 143 Shias in Dujail — a town north of Baghdad in 1982, following an attempt on his life.

The official spokesman said Mr. Hussein's co-defendants include the former Vice-President, Taha Yassin Ramadan, the former President's half-brother, Barzan Ibrahim who was intelligence chief when the incident took place. Awad Hamed al-Bandar, former Ba'ath party official in Dujail, has also been charged.

Mr. Hussein could face execution if found guilty, as the death penalty has been re-introduced in Iraq. .

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