International   

Saddam Hussein present as trial resumes

Atul Aneja

Witness alleges execution of his brother; security fears keep Ramsey Clark away

DUBAI: After absenting himself from the previous session, the former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, showed up at his trial, which resumed in a courtroom in Baghdad's high security "Green Zone."

As proceedings began, first witness Ali Mohammed Hussein al-Haydari gave his testimony, alleging torture of his family and execution of his brother by the Government, following an assassination attempt on Mr. Hussein's life in the village of Dujail in 1982.

Mr. Hussein interrupted the witness once, but thereafter quietly took down notes.

Defence security raised

Mr. Hussein and seven co-defendants, including his former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, are standing trial in connection with the killing of 148 persons from Dujail. As the trial resumed, concerns about the security of the defence team were once again expressed.

Ramsey Clark, a former U.S. Attorney-General, who is on Mr. Hussein's defence team, did not make an appearance in court due to security considerations.

Defence lawyer and former Qatari Justice Minister Najib al-Nuami said he was pushed around and threatened by crowds soon after his arrival in Baghdad. Two defence attorneys have already been killed after the trial began on October 19. Five witnesses were slated to appear during the day, after which, it was expected that proceedings would be stalled till mid-January. The break is to allow compilation of election results and also on account of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Iraq's Electoral Commission has rejected a call from the biggest Sunni party to repeat elections in Baghdad.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Saran meets Rice, Burns
Saddam Hussein present as trial resumes
Most Al-Qaeda leaders killed, says Russia
Russia tests sea-borne nuclear missile
Jailed for inflight murder
Arms surrender complete
Two more bus route agreements formalised

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu