Iraq gets ready for Saddam trial
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-11 06:16

Among them is the 1988 poison gas attack on the Kurdish town of Halabja, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the suppression in 1991 of the Shi'ite uprising that took place in the aftermath of the first Gulf War.

The tribunal was set up under the US occupation and uses the services of a number of US legal personnel.

Critics have called for the trial to take place under the auspices of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which was set up for precisely this kind of case.

There are fears that the start of the trial will be marked by a renewed wave of violence in Iraq. Many Sunnis still back Saddam and could feel humiliated at seeing him in the dock.

Family fire all but one lawyer

Saddam's own family is in dispute with the more than 1,500 international lawyers who have indicated an interest in defending the former Iraqi president.

Some of these lawyers have spoken in the name of the former leader without ever having spoken to him.

Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Tuesday that the family of Saddam has fired all but one of the lawyers who had volunteered for his defence citing conflict of interest.

The newspaper, quoting sources close to the family, said Iraqi lawyer Khalil al-Duleimi is Saddam's sole legal representative "because he is the only one who has a written and direct consent from Saddam."

"The decision was announced by Raghad Saddam Hussein (eldest daughter) following her return to Amman from a six-day visit to an unknown destination," al-Hayat said.

The decision was made following "doubts and suspicion of financial arrangements of some of the lawyers in addition to some seeking fame through the media at the expense of the legal procedures."