Menu
01/07/2004
Defiant Saddam tells court he is still president of Iraq
A defiant Saddam Hussein appeared in an Iraqi court today and refused to recognise the court's legitimacy, claiming he was still President of Iraq.
Among the seven preliminary indictments the former dictator is facing are war crimes and genocide charges relating to the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the gas attack on Halabja in 1988, the Anfal campaign against the Kurds and the crushing of the 1991 uprising.
Images of Hussein's first appearance in public since his capture last December – relayed after the court appearance – showed him to be thin and haggard.
A full list of indictments may not be ready until the autumn - pushing full trial proceedings back many months.
Hussein was captured by US troops in the town of al Dawr, 15 miles south of his northern powerbase of Tikrit, on December 13. He surrendered to soldiers of the US 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, along with special forces, after they uncovered his 'spiderhole' in the garden of small house.
The tyrant had fled his Baghdad capital after the US army entered the city in April last year. His sons, Uday and Qusay, were shot dead by US forces in Mosul on July 22.
Hussein was handed over to the Iraqi authorities yesterday, along with 11 other "high-valued detainees". Among the other detainees are: former deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz; Ali Hasan al-Majid, otherwise known as 'Chemical Ali'; and Taha Yassin Ramadan, the former vice-president.
(gmcg)
Among the seven preliminary indictments the former dictator is facing are war crimes and genocide charges relating to the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the gas attack on Halabja in 1988, the Anfal campaign against the Kurds and the crushing of the 1991 uprising.
Images of Hussein's first appearance in public since his capture last December – relayed after the court appearance – showed him to be thin and haggard.
A full list of indictments may not be ready until the autumn - pushing full trial proceedings back many months.
Hussein was captured by US troops in the town of al Dawr, 15 miles south of his northern powerbase of Tikrit, on December 13. He surrendered to soldiers of the US 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, along with special forces, after they uncovered his 'spiderhole' in the garden of small house.
The tyrant had fled his Baghdad capital after the US army entered the city in April last year. His sons, Uday and Qusay, were shot dead by US forces in Mosul on July 22.
Hussein was handed over to the Iraqi authorities yesterday, along with 11 other "high-valued detainees". Among the other detainees are: former deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz; Ali Hasan al-Majid, otherwise known as 'Chemical Ali'; and Taha Yassin Ramadan, the former vice-president.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 December 2005
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.
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.
14 February 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 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.
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.
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.
01 September 2005
First of stampede dead buried in Iraq
The funerals for over 950 people believed to have lost their lives when a crowd stampeded during a religious festival in Baghdad are taking place today. The crowd stampeded when rumours of a suicide bomb attack circulated and spread panic among the Shia religious gathering in the Iraqi capital.
First of stampede dead buried in Iraq
The funerals for over 950 people believed to have lost their lives when a crowd stampeded during a religious festival in Baghdad are taking place today. The crowd stampeded when rumours of a suicide bomb attack circulated and spread panic among the Shia religious gathering in the Iraqi capital.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
