The Hindu : Front Page : Saddam trial lawyer killed

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Saturday, Oct 22, 2005

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Saddam trial lawyer killed

Atul Aneja

Murder will have negative implications, say advocates

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MANAMA: A defence lawyer involved in the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been killed.

The body of Sadoun Nasouaf al-Janabi was found dumped behind a mosque on Thursday night soon after he was abducted from his office. He was shot in the head and chest.

Mr. Al-Janabi was the defence attorney for Awad Hamed al-Bandar, who was one of Mr. Hussein's co-defendants at the trial which began on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses claimed that gunmen stormed into the building housing Mr. Al-Janabi's office, two hours after the daytime fast was broken.

He was allegedly dragged from his office by men wearing suits and ties, who said they were Interior Ministry employees.

The Government, however, denied any involvement in the killing.

"Those suggestions [of government involvement] are ridiculous and baseless.

"The Government does not condone attacks against minorities and former figures in Saddam's Ba'ath Party," national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie was quoted as saying. Analysts point out that there have been instances when armed pro-government groups have acted as vigilantes, targeting minorities.

The Iraqi lawyers' union said the killing would have negative implications on justice.

"This will hinder lawyers from defending those held for political reasons," Diaa al-Saadi, an official from the union, said. Unlike the panel of judges, where four out of five names were kept secret, the identities of the defence lawyer had been revealed.

Mr. Hussein's top lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi, has said many in the team had been threatened.

The Government has now offered protection to any of the defence attorneys on request.

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