• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Iraqi National Security Adviser Says Saddam Trial Not Political

Posted on: Sunday, 4 December 2005, 18:00 CST

Iraqi national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubay'i was interviewed on Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 4 December on the resumption of Saddam Husayn's trial the following day.

Asked what was expected to happen in the trial the next day, Al- Rubay'i said: "The government is under huge pressure from the sons of the Iraqi people, who suffered enormously during 35 years of Saddam's rule. The criticism coming from our people is that the tribunal is too kind and too merciful towards Saddam Husayn. We want Saddam and his associates to have a fair trial, while, at the same time, preserving the tribunal's independence and freedom."

Asked why the trial was proceeding slowly, Al-Rubay'i said: "The Iraqi government cannot influence the Iraqi judiciary. As you know, the Iraqi judiciary is independent, and the Iraqi government does not interfere in its work. As for what was said about the legitimacy of this tribunal, this is a penal tribunal set up in accordance with a law endorsed by the Iraqi National Assembly, which was elected by the Iraqi people." He added: "This is a trial to try the crimes committed. It is not a political trial."

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

More News in this Category