Iraq’s tribunal lays first charges against Saddam

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s special tribunal has laid the
first charges against Saddam Hussein for crimes committed under
the former president’s rule.

The tribunal’s chief investigating judge told a news
conference in Baghdad on Sunday Saddam had been charged along
with three others in connection with the killing of Shi’ite
Muslims in the village of Dujail, north of Baghdad, in 1982.

The judge, Raed Jouhi, said court proceedings against
Saddam and the others could begin “within days.” He did not say
when the charges had been made.

According to Iraq’s justice system there must be at least
45 days between charges being brought and a trial beginning.

Diplomatic sources in Baghdad said Jouhi was probably
referring to pre-trial motions rather than the trial itself
when he referred to proceedings beginning within days.

The other defendants are Barzan al-Tikriti, Saddam’s
half-brother and former head of Iraq’s intelligence service;
Taha Yasin Ramadan, a former deputy prime minister; and Awad
Hamad al-Bander, former chief judge of Saddam’s Revolutionary
Court.

The Dujail case was expected to be the first for which
Saddam would be tried. It relates to the killing of villagers
following an assassination attempt against Saddam as his convoy
passed through the village, 60 km (35 miles) north of Baghdad.

Investigators have said that around 140 men were rounded up
and killed by Saddam’s security forces following the failed
attack. Dujail is one of up to a dozen cases prosecutors are
working on bringing against Saddam.

Investigators have said Dujail is the best case to start
with as they say the evidence is clear-cut, making the case
more straightforward and increasing the possibility of a
conviction.