|
Saddam trial to resume with some hidden witnesses
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-05 08:38
The trial of Saddam Hussein on charges of crimes against humanity is set to
resume on Monday with up to five witnesses expected to testify as the
prosecution pushes ahead with a case criticized locally and abroad.
A U.S. official familiar with the court expects between three and five
witnesses to give evidence, some with identities concealed, as the trial moves
into its third session since it began on October 19, nearly two years after
Saddam was captured.
Taha Yassin Ramadan (L), Saddam Hussein (2nd
L) holding a Koran, Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid (2nd R), and Mizhar Abdullah
Ruwayyid (R) stand at their trial held in Baghdad November 28,
2005.[Reuters/file] | On the eve of its
resumption, a member of the five-judge panel stood down citing potential
conflict of interest because one of Saddam's co-defendants has been linked to
the killing of the judge's brother, court officials said.
An alternate judge will step onto the panel in his place on Monday, officials
said.
The trial, which is due to resume at around 10 a.m. (0700 GMT), may continue
for up to three days, with up to 11 witnesses appearing in all. Eight of the
witnesses will have their identities concealed in one way or another -- a
practice that could raise doubt about the defense's access to witnesses whose
names and faces are not known.
At the second court session held on November 28, proceedings were adjourned
for a week to give two of the eight defendants time to find new defense
attorneys after two lawyers were assassinated and another fled the country in
fear.
U.N. CONCERNS
The United Nations representative for human rights in Iraq on Sunday said
Saddam's trial would never meet international standards of fairness and
transparency.
"Weakness in the system of administration of justice, in addition to the
antecedents surrounding the establishment of this tribunal, will never be able
to produce the kind of process that would be able to satisfy international
standards," John Pace told Reuters in an interview.
Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who joined Saddam's defense team
at the last session, is expected to be allowed to appear in court even though
paperwork concerning his application is still being reviewed.
Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin speaks to
the court as the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein resumes in
Baghdad November 28, 2005. [Reuters] | Clark has advised several controversial figures over the years, including
former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, and was to have met Saddam on
Sunday.
Further delays in the trial are expected ahead of December 15 parliamentary
elections.
Saddam's defense team has already filed another motion declaring that, as
former president, he has sovereign immunity and a third motion asking for more
time to prepare. Chief judge, Rizgar Mohammed Amin, has not ruled on any of
those motions.
International observers have raised concerns about the court, which operates
under a mix of Iraq's criminal code, some international statutes and others
written specifically for the tribunal, which was originally formed under U.S.
occupation.
They also are worried about the amount of time the defense has had to prepare
for a complex case involving allegations of crimes against humanity connected to
the death of 148 men after an attempt on Saddam's life in 1982.
|
