Region | Iraq
Prosecution wants Saddam trial judge to go
The chief prosecutor in Saddam Hussain's genocide trial demanded the presiding judge step down, accusing him on Wednesday of bias towards the deposed leader and his co-defendants.
- AP
- Published: 00:00 September 14, 2006
Baghdad: The chief prosecutor in Saddam Hussain's genocide trial demanded the presiding judge step down, accusing him on Wednesday of bias towards the deposed leader and his co-defendants.
"You allowed this court to become a political podium for the defendants," roared the prosecutor, Munqith Al Faroon, as judge Abdullah Al Amiri listened.
On Tuesday, Saddam bellowed against "agents of Iran and Zionism" and vowed to "crush your heads" after listening to Kurdish witnesses allege atrocities committed against them during the government's Operation Anfal crackdown on Kurds in the late 1980s.
Al Faroon alleged that Al Amiri was giving Saddam the time to make "political" statements that were irrelevant to the proceedings.
"For instance yesterday, instead of taking legal action [against Saddam], you asked his permission to talk," Al Faroon said.
"The action of the court leans toward the defendants," the prosecutor alleged. He said Saddam treated the witnesses with disrespect.
A Kurdish civil attorney also told the court that Saddam "hurt our feelings" in the statements he made this week.
"His statements are illegal and must be stopped," said the woman.
Al Amiri responded by recalling how a Muslim successor to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) allowed the accused to voice their opinions. One of the "pillars of the judiciary is to treat everyone equally," Al Amiri said before he ordered proceedings resumed.
The trial was adjourned until Thursday.
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