Saddam Hussein trial resumes in Baghdad (AP) Updated: 2005-11-28 20:34
Saddam Hussein and a former U.S. attorney general
assembled in the special Green Zone courtroom built for the former overthown
President's trial to the sound of mortar fire in the Iraqi capital Monday.
Left to right, Awad
Hamed al-Bandar, Saddam Hussein and Taha Yassin Ramadan, appear at their
trial held under tight security in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone
in Iraq Monday, Nov. 28, 2005. Saddam Hussein and seven others face
charges that they ordered the killing in 1982 of nearly 150 people in the
mainly Shiite village of Dujail north of Baghdad after a failed attempt on
the former dictator's life. [AP] |
The case against Saddam and seven co-defendants reconvened after a five-week
recess. The former leader pleaded innocent to charges of murder, torture, forced
expulsions and illegal detentions at a court session Oct. 19.
Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and former Qartari Justice Minister
Najib al-Nueimi were seated with the defense team inside the heavy guarded room
Monday, along with Saddam's chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi.
Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin ordered all handcuffs and shackles removed
from Saddam and the seven co-defendants before they entered the court.
Dressed in black trousers and a gray jacket, Saddam was
the last of the eight to enter, walking with a swagger, appearing cheerful and
greeting people with a traditional Arabic greeting "peace be upon the people of
peace."
|