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Iraq court drops Saddam's charges Iraq court drops Saddam's charges
(about 1 hour later)
The Iraqi High Tribunal has dropped all charges against Saddam Hussein, who was hanged on 30 December, as the genocide trial of six co-defendants resumed.The Iraqi High Tribunal has dropped all charges against Saddam Hussein, who was hanged on 30 December, as the genocide trial of six co-defendants resumed.
They are charged with crimes against humanity over a campaign against Kurds in the 1980s that left 100,000 dead.They are charged with crimes against humanity over a campaign against Kurds in the 1980s that left 100,000 dead.
Saddam Hussein was hanged after an earlier trial over the killing of 148 Shia Muslims in the town of Dujail.Saddam Hussein was hanged after an earlier trial over the killing of 148 Shia Muslims in the town of Dujail.
Many Kurds were disappointed that he was executed before facing justice for his role in the Anfal campaign.Many Kurds were disappointed that he was executed before facing justice for his role in the Anfal campaign.
Among the six remaining defendants is Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, sometimes known as "Chemical Ali" for his alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds.Among the six remaining defendants is Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, sometimes known as "Chemical Ali" for his alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds.
As the trial resumed he tried to read a prayer from the Koran in memory of his cousin, but the judge ordered him to stop. He also wore a long beard as a sign of mourning.As the trial resumed he tried to read a prayer from the Koran in memory of his cousin, but the judge ordered him to stop. He also wore a long beard as a sign of mourning.
The defence argues the campaign - codenamed al-Anfal, or "the spoils of war" - was a legitimate operation to quell a rebellion after some Kurds sided with the enemy during the Iran-Iraq war.The defence argues the campaign - codenamed al-Anfal, or "the spoils of war" - was a legitimate operation to quell a rebellion after some Kurds sided with the enemy during the Iran-Iraq war.
Executions 'this week'Executions 'this week'
The trial had been in recess since 21 December.The trial had been in recess since 21 December.
Ali Hassan al-Majid was ordered to stop reciting a prayer
Its resumption will throw the spotlight back on the Iraqi judicial system which has come under international criticism for the handling of Saddam Hussein's execution.Its resumption will throw the spotlight back on the Iraqi judicial system which has come under international criticism for the handling of Saddam Hussein's execution.
The former leader was taunted at the gallows and illicit images of his execution later appeared on the internet.The former leader was taunted at the gallows and illicit images of his execution later appeared on the internet.
The UN has called for a stay of execution for two others sentenced to death in the Dujail trial.The UN has called for a stay of execution for two others sentenced to death in the Dujail trial.
But the Iraqi government says the execution of Barzan al-Tikriti and Awad al-Bandar will take place this week.But the Iraqi government says the execution of Barzan al-Tikriti and Awad al-Bandar will take place this week.