Saddam Hussein trial resumes in Baghdad (AP) Updated: 2005-11-28 20:34
Saddam and seven co-defendants are charged in the killing of more than 140
Shiite Muslims after an assassination attempt against the former president in
the Shiite town of Dujail in 1982. Convictions could bring a sentence of death
by hanging.
Insecurity from the predominantly Sunni insurgency has complicated efforts to
put Saddam on trial and forced draconian measures. For example, names of four of
the five trial judges have been kept secret and some of the 35 witnesses may
testify behind curtains to protect them from reprisal.
Defense lawyers had threatened to boycott the proceedings after two of their
colleagues were slain in two attacks following the opening session Oct. 19.
However, lawyer Khamees al-Ubaidi told the AP on Sunday that the defense team
would attend after an agreement with U.S. and Iraqi authorities on improving
security for them.
On the eve of the hearing, Clark and former al-Nueimi flew to the capital
from Amman, Jordan, to lend weight to the defense team. Both have been advising
Saddam's lawyers and support their call to have the trial moved out of Iraq
because of the violence.
However, neither Clark nor al-Nueimi has been officially recognized by the
court as legal counsel. U.S. and Iraqi officials said Saddam's chief lawyer,
Khalil al-Dulaimi, did not officially request permission for any foreign
attorneys to attend the trial.
Iraqi law permits foreign lawyers to act as advisers but requires that those
arguing cases in court must be members of the local bar association.
Clark, who served as attorney general under President Johnson, wrote last
month that Saddam's rights had been systematically violated since his December
2003 capture, including his right "to a lawyer of his own choosing."
Clark and others say a fair trial is impossible in Iraq
because of the insurgency and because, they argue, the country is effectively
under foreign military occupation. U.S. and Iraqi officials insist the trial
will conform to international standards.
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