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Saddam witness describes attack Saddam witness describes attack
(4 days later)
The court trying Saddam Hussein for genocide has heard testimony from Kurdish witnesses describing alleged chemical attacks on their villages.The court trying Saddam Hussein for genocide has heard testimony from Kurdish witnesses describing alleged chemical attacks on their villages.
Villagers spoke of their memories of Operation Anfal, a crackdown against Iraqi Kurds in the late 1980s.Villagers spoke of their memories of Operation Anfal, a crackdown against Iraqi Kurds in the late 1980s.
They described a smell "like rotten apples" minutes after the bombings, comparing them to "Doomsday".They described a smell "like rotten apples" minutes after the bombings, comparing them to "Doomsday".
Testimony came after the ousted Iraqi president's defence stormed out, saying the trial could not be fair.Testimony came after the ousted Iraqi president's defence stormed out, saying the trial could not be fair.
Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi walked out of court after requests made in an apparent end to the boycott of the genocide trial were turned down.Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi walked out of court after requests made in an apparent end to the boycott of the genocide trial were turned down.
After a heated exchange, the judge appointed replacement lawyers for Saddam Hussein who rejected them, insisting he wanted to be defended by his own lawyers.After a heated exchange, the judge appointed replacement lawyers for Saddam Hussein who rejected them, insisting he wanted to be defended by his own lawyers.
Bodies 'piled up'Bodies 'piled up'
Jamal Sulaiman Qadir, 50, described approaching his village moments after four warplanes dropped chemical bombs on it.Jamal Sulaiman Qadir, 50, described approaching his village moments after four warplanes dropped chemical bombs on it.
"That day was like Doomsday. I could hear children crying for their fathers and women crying for their husbands. The bodies were piled up," he said."That day was like Doomsday. I could hear children crying for their fathers and women crying for their husbands. The bodies were piled up," he said.
"Some belonged to children who were still clutching lollipops or Eid sweets because it was the last day of Ramadan.""Some belonged to children who were still clutching lollipops or Eid sweets because it was the last day of Ramadan."
Saddam Hussein and six other defendants are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for a 1987-88 offensive against Iraq's Kurdish population.Saddam Hussein and six other defendants are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for a 1987-88 offensive against Iraq's Kurdish population.
Prosecutors say some 180,000 people died during the Anfal offensive.Prosecutors say some 180,000 people died during the Anfal offensive.
A verdict on a separate trial is due on Sunday. Saddam Hussein's chief lawyer has warned of civil war if a death sentence is given.A verdict on a separate trial is due on Sunday. Saddam Hussein's chief lawyer has warned of civil war if a death sentence is given.
Defence lawyers had been boycotting the trial since 24 September, after the sacking of the previous presiding judge for alleged bias towards Saddam Hussein.Defence lawyers had been boycotting the trial since 24 September, after the sacking of the previous presiding judge for alleged bias towards Saddam Hussein.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Dulaimi filed 12 requests, including that the court should allow non-Iraqi lawyers to attend the trial without prior court permission, and that the court investigate an alleged beating of one of the defendants by court bailiffs.Earlier on Monday, Mr Dulaimi filed 12 requests, including that the court should allow non-Iraqi lawyers to attend the trial without prior court permission, and that the court investigate an alleged beating of one of the defendants by court bailiffs.
He also clashed with Judge Mohammad al-Khalifa over the judge's order that Mr Dulaimi stop referring to Saddam Hussein as "Mr President" and "your Excellency".He also clashed with Judge Mohammad al-Khalifa over the judge's order that Mr Dulaimi stop referring to Saddam Hussein as "Mr President" and "your Excellency".