Home>News Center>World
         
 

Saddam to go on trial Oct. 19, faces hanging
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-05 06:56

BAGHDAD - Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will go on trial on a charge of mass killing on October 19, Iraq's government spokesman confirmed on Sunday, raising the possibility that he could soon be hanged. Reuters reported.

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is seen in this photo released by the Iraqi Special Tribunal, showing Hussein having a meeting with Judge Munir Haddad at an initial appearance for crimes against Shiite Faili Kurds, Thursday, July 21, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq.
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is seen in this photo released by the Iraqi Special Tribunal, showing Hussein having a meeting with Judge Munir Haddad at an initial appearance for crimes against Shiite Faili Kurds, Thursday, July 21, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq. [Reuters]
"There is a date set for October 19," Laith Kubba told a news conference, adding that several of Saddam's associates, including one of his half-brothers, would face trial with him.

"They will be tried for the execution of 143 citizens."

Kubba was referring to reprisals for an assassination attempt on Saddam in the Shi'ite Muslim village of Dujail in 1982, after which over 140 men from the village were killed.

Iraq's Shi'ite-led government has reintroduced the death penalty after it was suspended following the U.S. invasion in March 2003. On Thursday, three convicted criminals were hanged, the first since the suspension was lifted.

Saddam faces execution if found guilty.

Stressing that he was voicing a personal opinion, Kubba said that if Saddam were convicted for the Dujail killings, trials for other crimes might be shelved and the sentence carried out quickly. He gave no estimate of the length of the trial.

The trial will follow swiftly after a referendum on a new constitution for the post-Saddam era, due by October 15. The draft text is already highly divisive between Iraq's three main communities, Sunni and Shi'ite Arabs and Kurds.

Saddam is a Sunni, the once politically dominant group which makes up around 20 percent of Iraq's population.
Page: 123



Bush orders more troops to secure New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina batters US
Pakistani, Indian officials meet for peace
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

China, EU striving for agreement on textiles

 

   
 

New Orleans begins counting its dead

 

   
 

Typhoon Talim inflicts deadly damage

 

   
 

China to sign Airbus deal during Blair visit

 

   
 

President Hu's visit to the US postponed

 

   
 

Opinion: US should weigh China ties

 

   
  Saddam's defense team balks at Oct trial
   
  Katrina aid pours in from around the world
   
  New Orleans begins counting its dead
   
  Saddam to go on trial Oct. 19, faces hanging
   
  China to sign Airbus deal during Blair visit
   
  New Orleans left to the dead and dying
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Saddam Hussein trial to begin next month
   
Official: Saddam's trial to begin in October
   
Talabani won't sign Saddam death sentence
   
Saddam in court, confirms legal team sacked
   
Saddam says to sacrifice life for Arab cause
   
Saddam could be executed after first trial
   
Iraq gets ready for Saddam trial
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement