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Saddam trial hears new testimony Kurd witness mocks caged Saddam
(about 4 hours later)
A Kurd who fled attacks by Saddam Hussein's troops in 1988 described returning 15 years later to find the remains of his family in a mass grave. A Kurd who fled attacks by Saddam Hussein's troops in 1988 has described returning 15 years later to discover the remains of his family.
He told the trial of the former Iraqi leader how he found the identity cards of his mother and two sisters in the grave near their village. Ghafour Hassan Abdullah told the trial of the former Iraqi leader how he found the identity cards of his mother and two sisters in a mass grave.
"Congratulations Saddam Hussein. You are now in a cage!" Abdul Ghafour said. He called out: "Congratulations Saddam Hussein. You are now in a cage!"
Saddam Hussein and six others are on trial for war crimes against the Kurdish people in the late 1980s. Saddam Hussein and six others are on trial for war crimes against the Kurds. The case was adjourned until Wednesday.
They are accused of killing up to 180,000 civilians during the so-called Anfal campaign. The defendants are accused of killing up to 180,000 civilians during the so-called Anfal campaign in the late 1980s.
Saddam Hussein and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, face additional charges of genocide.Saddam Hussein and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, face additional charges of genocide.
The accused say the campaign was a legitimate counter-insurgency operation aimed at clearing northern Iraq of Iranian troops and separatist guerrillas. 'Neutral' experts
Mr Abdullah told the court that troops shelled his village near the northern Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya in February 1988.
"At night, I heard the screaming of women and children," he told the court.
Saddam Hussein is awaiting the verdict in another trial
He said he fled to neighbouring Iran with other relatives, but his mother and two sisters had gone missing. Their identity cards were found in a mass grave more than 120 miles (200km) from their village many years later.
"I don't know why these tragedies come to us. Is it only because we're Kurds?" he asked.
Saddam Hussein listened silently to the witness, but lost his temper when the Kurdish peshmerga guerrillas were described by one lawyer as freedom fighters.
"Rebellion is rebellion. Let's come up with one country which had a rebellion that wasn't confronted by the army," he said.
The former Iraqi president also demanded "neutral countries like Switzerland" examine the evidence found in mass graves.
And he lashed out at the court, saying: "You are agents of Iran and Zionism. We will crush your heads."
Saddam Hussein and his fellow accused say the Anfal campaign was a legitimate counter-insurgency operation aimed at clearing northern Iraq of Iranian troops and separatist guerrillas.
All seven face the death penalty if convicted.All seven face the death penalty if convicted.
This is the fifth hearing in what is the second trial for Saddam Hussein.This is the fifth hearing in what is the second trial for Saddam Hussein.
Saddam Hussein and seven different defendants have already been tried for the killing of 148 Shias in Dujail in 1982. A verdict is due on 16 October.Saddam Hussein and seven different defendants have already been tried for the killing of 148 Shias in Dujail in 1982. A verdict is due on 16 October.