Fourth Session of Saddam Trial Resumes

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A woman whose identity will be kept secret and voice masked testified in the trial of Saddam Hussein on Tuesday, the fourth session of the court case being held in Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zone.

Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin told the court that defense attorneys will be told the identity of the witness but they must not pass them to anyone outside the tribunal. He said she would be referred to publicly as "Witness A."

Witnesses have the option of not having their identities revealed as a security measure to protect them against reprisals by Saddam loyalists. The first two witnesses – both males who took the stand Monday – allowed their names to be announced and their pictures to be transmitted around the world.

When the witness began to speak, defense attorneys complained they could not hear her because her voice was being distorted to protect her identity. The judge then ordered the voice modulator to be shut off – allowing defense counsel to hear her natural voice.

People in the visitors’ gallery and the press viewing area could not her any of her testimony. The judge ordered a brief recess to try to adjust the modulator.

Before the testimony, Saddam’s half brother – co-defendant Barazan Ibrahim – and chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Mousawi got into a disagreement because Ibrahim referred to al-Mousawi as "comrade," in the style of Saddam’s Baath Party.

"I object to being referred to as a comrade," the prosecutor complained.

Ibrahim replied: "The word ‘comrade’ is very noble and dignified. You are my comrade and I’m very proud of you."