The brother-in-law of Mohammad Oreibi al-Khalifa, the new chief judge in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein, has been shot dead, police sources say.
The brother-in-law of Mohammad Oreibi al-Khalifa, the new chief judge in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein, has been shot dead.
Gunmen opened fire on Kadhem Abdul Hussein's car as he was driving in West Baghdad on Thursday evening, they say.
Gunmen opened fire on Kadhem Abdul Hussein's car in West Baghdad on Thursday evening, police say.
Reports said his son was with him at the time and may also have died.
His son was also hit in the attack, although there were conflicting reports about whether he survived.
All involved in the trials of the former Iraqi leader are regarded to be at high risk. Three defence lawyers have been murdered since last October.
Three defence lawyers working on the trials of the former Iraqi leader have been murdered since last October.
Sacked
Sacked
Kadhem Abdul Hussein, a Shia, was the husband of the Mr Oreibi al-Khalifa's sister.
A police source told Reuters news agency the attack happened in a large Sunni Arab neighbourhood in the Iraqi capital at 1900 local time (1500 GMT) on Thursday.
A police source told Reuters news agency the attack happened in a large Sunni Arab neighbourhood in the Iraqi capital at 1900 local time (1500 GMT) on Thursday.
Kadhem Abdul Hussein was the husband of the judge's sister, sources said.
It was not clear whether the attack was related to Chief Judge Oreibi al-Khalifa's role in the trial or was part of the current wave of sectarian attacks in the Iraqi capital.
Chief Judge al-Khalifa, a Shia, was appointed to the Saddam Hussein trial last week after the government asked the court to sack his predecessor over concerns about his neutrality.
Mr Oreibi al-Khalifa, also a Shia, was appointed to the Saddam Hussein trial last week after the government asked the court to sack his predecessor over concerns about his neutrality.
Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri had sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator.
Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri had sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator.
All involved in the trials of the former Iraqi leader - including judges, lawyers and witnesses on both sides - are regarded to be at high risk.
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