BAGHDAD - The trial of Iraqâs former dictator Saddam Hussein resumes on Monday with witnesses expected to appear in court for the first time amid mounting pressure for the process to accelerate.Court time has been limited to just two brief sessions so far after two earlier adjournments and the only witness presented has been a former official whose testimony was recorded on video just before he died. However officials close to the court are hoping that this time a full four days of hearings featuring ten witnesses is possible before the court adjourns again in time for Iraqâs parliamentary elections on December 15.
At least three witnesses will appear on Monday in the trial of Saddam and seven of his deputies for the massacre of 148 people from the Shia village of Dujail in 1982, for which all the accused could face the death penalty. Amid fears over their security, only two witnesses will appear in court and be filmed by television cameras relaying the trial to the world, according to a US official close to the tribunal. Another six will appear in the court but they will not be filmed. The final two will speak from behind a screen, said the official, who asked not to be named.
Before the witnesses are heard, however, the chief judge will hear motions from the defense questioning the legitimacy of the court. Saddamâs lawyers, who now include former US attorney general Ramsey Clark and former Qatari justice minister Najib Al Nuaimi hope to âto discuss key issues in the case like the legality of court, independence of court and the impartiality of judges,â said Clark.
| That shouldn't take long. And it's real smart to impugn the judges and make them mad. Nice going Ramsey. |
| "Mr. Clark, we're legal, indpendent and impartial. Sit down. The prosecution may proceed." |
| "Lies! All lies! And put that rope down!" |