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14/02/2006
Saddam and co-defendants on hunger strike
Saddam Hussein today told a Baghdad court that he and his seven co-defendants are on hunger strike.
The deposed Iraqi leader who appeared in court dressed in his black suit, said that he was protesting at the conduct of the trial and had been on hunger strike for three days.
Saddam Hussein and seven others are charged with the killing of 142 Shia villagers in the town of Dujail in response to an uprising in 1982 during which the former president's motorcade was fired on.
During today's three-hour court session the court heard from three officials of the former regime.
Saddam Hussein again shouted slogans at the start of the proceedings. The defendants have again refused to co-operate with court appointed lawyers.
Saddam's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, who has been allowed to defend himself, made an uninterrupted 30-minute speech after he had briefly cross-examined the three witnesses. He denied any involvement in the Dujail killings and claimed he had ordered the release of 80 detainees being held in the Baath party headquarters in the town.
The first witness, an intelligence officer, gave evidence from behind a screen.
The second witness, intelligence official Fadil Mohammed al-Azzawi, declined to give evidence as he had been forced to attend court. He agreed that he had signed a witness statement only because he did not have his glasses at the time.
A personal aide to the former Iraqi leader who was shown a document recommending rewards for the arrests in Dujail, agreed that the signature looked like that of Saddam Hussein.
The court has taken a more hardline approach since the appointment of chief judge Raouf Abdel Rahman.
The trial was adjourned to resume on Tuesday, February 28.
(SP)
The deposed Iraqi leader who appeared in court dressed in his black suit, said that he was protesting at the conduct of the trial and had been on hunger strike for three days.
Saddam Hussein and seven others are charged with the killing of 142 Shia villagers in the town of Dujail in response to an uprising in 1982 during which the former president's motorcade was fired on.
During today's three-hour court session the court heard from three officials of the former regime.
Saddam Hussein again shouted slogans at the start of the proceedings. The defendants have again refused to co-operate with court appointed lawyers.
Saddam's half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, who has been allowed to defend himself, made an uninterrupted 30-minute speech after he had briefly cross-examined the three witnesses. He denied any involvement in the Dujail killings and claimed he had ordered the release of 80 detainees being held in the Baath party headquarters in the town.
The first witness, an intelligence officer, gave evidence from behind a screen.
The second witness, intelligence official Fadil Mohammed al-Azzawi, declined to give evidence as he had been forced to attend court. He agreed that he had signed a witness statement only because he did not have his glasses at the time.
A personal aide to the former Iraqi leader who was shown a document recommending rewards for the arrests in Dujail, agreed that the signature looked like that of Saddam Hussein.
The court has taken a more hardline approach since the appointment of chief judge Raouf Abdel Rahman.
The trial was adjourned to resume on Tuesday, February 28.
(SP)
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Saddam Hussein defies court and stays away
Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has declined to appear in court today as the trial of senior figures of the Baath Party regime continued for a time but was then adjourned. The head of the Baath Party has denounced the court on several occasions as "unjust" and complained about the conditions under which he is being held.
15 December 2003
Iraq is likely location for tyrant's trial
The trial of Saddam Hussein should be held in Iraq, amongst Iraqi people, and Britain would not object to the execution of the former dictator if that is the judgment of the court, according to government sources today.
Iraq is likely location for tyrant's trial
The trial of Saddam Hussein should be held in Iraq, amongst Iraqi people, and Britain would not object to the execution of the former dictator if that is the judgment of the court, according to government sources today.
13 February 2006
Saddam causes chaos in court
Saddam Hussein who was forced to attend today's court session at his trial with seven co-defendants caused chaos by defiantly chanting slogans.
Saddam causes chaos in court
Saddam Hussein who was forced to attend today's court session at his trial with seven co-defendants caused chaos by defiantly chanting slogans.
28 November 2005
First evidence heard in Saddam trial
The trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has heard the first prosecution evidence as his trial, on charges of crimes against humanity, resumed today.
First evidence heard in Saddam trial
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03 July 2003
US announces $25m bounty on Saddam Hussein
The US is set to announce a $25 million bounty on the head of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein – and $15 million for each of his sons. Initial reports from Reuters indicate that the US offical in charge of Iraq, Paul Bremer, will offer the bottom line bounty: alive or dead, as the US seek information on Saddam, Uday and Qusay's location.
US announces $25m bounty on Saddam Hussein
The US is set to announce a $25 million bounty on the head of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein – and $15 million for each of his sons. Initial reports from Reuters indicate that the US offical in charge of Iraq, Paul Bremer, will offer the bottom line bounty: alive or dead, as the US seek information on Saddam, Uday and Qusay's location.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
