Region | Iraq
Saddam's second trial begins
The second trial of Saddam Hussain began on Monday with the deposed Iraqi leader refusing to enter a plea on charges of his part of killing tens of thousands of Kurdish villagers.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 August 21, 2006
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Saddam is currently awaiting a verdict in another trial; which will be ready in mid-October - on charges of killing 148 Shi'ite Muslim men and boys in Dujail in the 1980's.
The second trial of Saddam Hussain began on Monday with the deposed Iraqi leader refusing to enter a plea on charges of his part of killing tens of thousands of Kurdish villagers.
Saddam, along with six former army commanders face charges for their roles in the Anfal (spoils of war) campaign which devastated northern Iraq in 1988.
Iraqi forces are accused of launching mustard gas and nerve agent attacks in a seven month onslaught where many villages were razed and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and killed.
When chief judge Abdullah Al Amiri asked Saddam to identify himself for the record, Saddam retorted: "You know me."
Al Amiri said it was the law that defendants had to identify themselves. "Do you respect this law?" he asked Saddam.
"This is the law of the occupation," Saddam replied before identifying himself as "the president of the republic and commander in chief of the armed forces."
When the judge asked Saddam, "Are you innocent or guilty," Saddam replied, "That would require volumes of books." Al Amiri ordered a plea of innocent entered into the record.
Saddam is currently awaiting a verdict in another trial – which will be ready in mid-October - on charges of killing 148 Shi'ite Muslim men and boys in Dujail in the 1980's.
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