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| Iraq |
| Aziz 'won't speak against Saddam' |
| 2005-10-16 |
| A lawyer for Tariq Aziz has denied a British newspaper report that the former Iraqi deputy prime minister will testify against Saddam Hussein. The lawyer, Badie Izzat Aref, said Mr Aziz would not give evidence against the former leader, whose trial is set to begin on Wednesday. The Sunday Telegraph said Mr Aziz would testify in return for his freedom, quoting both US officials and Mr Aref. Saddam Hussein's trial will be taking place in an undisclosed location. The Sunday Telegraph said in return for his testimony the main charges against Mr Aziz would be dropped and he would be allowed to live quietly and work on his autobiography. Mr Aziz has so far not been charged with any specific crimes. He has been held at a secret location since his surrender in April 2003. A US official told the paper: "Things are very delicate and a plea bargain is never sealed until the witness takes the stand and delivers his side of the deal." His lawyer, Mr Aref, said of the Telegraph report: "It's completely false, I have always said that Tariq Aziz never had any intention of testifying against Saddam." He added: "What I told the British newspaper is that during a questioning session, Tariq Aziz was asked about who in Iraq took sovereign decisions like declaring war, suppressing a revolt or a civil mutiny. "Tariq Aziz's answer was that sovereign and political decisions were in the hands of Saddam and he had nothing to do with them." Five judges will open the proceedings against Saddam Hussein and seven associates accused of killing more than 100 civilians in the Shia Muslim village of Dujail in 1982. It is not clear what other charges will be filed. The start of the trial has been delayed several times, amid criticism of the tribunal's legitimacy and fears for the security of its judges. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday AM programme, lawyer Abdul Haq al-Ani, who says he is authorised to speak on behalf of Saddam Hussein's defence team, said he had no evidence that any of the deposed leader's former colleagues would testify against him. He said the trial had no jurisdiction as it had been set up by an occupying power which was not entitled to change the legal system of an occupied country. "Saddam Hussein is entitled to a fair trial. This won't be a fair trial because it has been created to fit the offence," he said. Yeah - we want trials that DON'T fit the offense. |
| Posted by:too true |
| #5 "bailiff - whack his pee pee" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-10-16 19:14 |
| #4 Which one? |
| Posted by: .com 2005-10-16 18:03 |
| #3 Off with his head! |
| Posted by: Queen of Hearts 2005-10-16 17:55 |
| #2 he's a "christian" too, supposedly. No virgins or raisins for Tariq |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-10-16 17:08 |
| #1 Tariq Aziz shouldn't have any mercy then. |
| Posted by: Clomoque Phaing2354 2005-10-16 16:10 |