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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Trial dividing Iraq, says Saddam | Trial dividing Iraq, says Saddam |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Saddam Hussein has accused prosecution witnesses at his trial for genocide against the Kurds of fuelling division and hatred among Iraqis. | Saddam Hussein has accused prosecution witnesses at his trial for genocide against the Kurds of fuelling division and hatred among Iraqis. |
| The ousted president said: "The Zionists are the only ones who will benefit from differences among Iraqis." | |
| He was addressing the court after several Kurds testified about atrocities allegedly committed by government forces in 1988. | He was addressing the court after several Kurds testified about atrocities allegedly committed by government forces in 1988. |
| Prosecutors say some 180,000 people died during the Anfal offensive. | Prosecutors say some 180,000 people died during the Anfal offensive. |
| "We are one people as Iraqis and no-one can doubt that in this place," Saddam Hussein said during Tuesday's court session. | "We are one people as Iraqis and no-one can doubt that in this place," Saddam Hussein said during Tuesday's court session. |
| I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised' Mutalib Mohammed SalmanProsecution witness | I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised' Mutalib Mohammed SalmanProsecution witness |
| He said the testimony by the Kurd prosecution witnesses would "only serve the separation" in Iraq, referring to the growing sectarian and ethnic violence that has already claimed thousands of lives. | He said the testimony by the Kurd prosecution witnesses would "only serve the separation" in Iraq, referring to the growing sectarian and ethnic violence that has already claimed thousands of lives. |
| Saddam Hussein's comments echoed his open letter to Iraqis on Monday in which he blamed foreign forces for sowing divisions among Iraqis. | Saddam Hussein's comments echoed his open letter to Iraqis on Monday in which he blamed foreign forces for sowing divisions among Iraqis. |
| In the letter, the former president also predicted Iraq's "liberation" from US military control. | In the letter, the former president also predicted Iraq's "liberation" from US military control. |
| 'Anfalised' | 'Anfalised' |
| Earlier on Tuesday, several elderly Kurdish peasants gave evidence about the Anfal campaign. | Earlier on Tuesday, several elderly Kurdish peasants gave evidence about the Anfal campaign. |
| Omar Hassan Omar said hundreds of people had died in a prison camp | Omar Hassan Omar said hundreds of people had died in a prison camp |
| Mutalib Mohammed Salman, 78, said he and others from his village in northern Iraq had been rounded up and taken to a prison camp in central Iraq. | Mutalib Mohammed Salman, 78, said he and others from his village in northern Iraq had been rounded up and taken to a prison camp in central Iraq. |
| He said conditions in the prison had been so bad that hundreds of people had died there. | He said conditions in the prison had been so bad that hundreds of people had died there. |
| Mr Salman also said that his wife and many relatives had disappeared after the offensive. | Mr Salman also said that his wife and many relatives had disappeared after the offensive. |
| "I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of my relatives, the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised'," he said. | "I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of my relatives, the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised'," he said. |
| Another witness, Omar Hassan Omar, 71, said he had been arrested and sent with thousands of fellow Kurds to a prison camp where hundreds later died. | Another witness, Omar Hassan Omar, 71, said he had been arrested and sent with thousands of fellow Kurds to a prison camp where hundreds later died. |
| He said his family had disappeared after an attack on his village by Iraqi troops. | He said his family had disappeared after an attack on his village by Iraqi troops. |
| In another development on Tuesday, the presiding judge agreed to a request by defence counsel to allow their lawyer back in court. | In another development on Tuesday, the presiding judge agreed to a request by defence counsel to allow their lawyer back in court. |
| The defence lawyers have been boycotting the trial after the sacking of the previous presiding judge for alleged bias towards Saddam Hussein several weeks ago. | The defence lawyers have been boycotting the trial after the sacking of the previous presiding judge for alleged bias towards Saddam Hussein several weeks ago. |
| The trial was later adjourned until Wednesday. | The trial was later adjourned until Wednesday. |
| Dujail verdict expected | Dujail verdict expected |
| Saddam Hussein and his six co-defendants insist the Anfal operation was a legitimate measure against separatists. | Saddam Hussein and his six co-defendants insist the Anfal operation was a legitimate measure against separatists. |
| The former Iraqi leader and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, are charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Anfal campaign. | The former Iraqi leader and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, are charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Anfal campaign. |
| Four others are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. All seven could face the death penalty. | Four others are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. All seven could face the death penalty. |
| In a separate trial, Saddam Hussein and seven other co-defendants are awaiting a verdict concerning the deaths and torture of Shia Muslims during a crackdown in the village of Dujail in 1980s. | In a separate trial, Saddam Hussein and seven other co-defendants are awaiting a verdict concerning the deaths and torture of Shia Muslims during a crackdown in the village of Dujail in 1980s. |
| A verdict in this trial is expected next month. | A verdict in this trial is expected next month. |