Saddam Hussein Trial to Start Oct. 19th

[beetbox]

Saddam Hussein Trial to Start Oct. 19

Sunday September 4, 2005 2:31 PM

By SAMEER N. YACOUB

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The trial of Iraq's former strongman Saddam Hussein and seven associates will start on Oct. 19, the government announced Sunday. In northern Iraq, clashes were continuing in an ethnically mixed insurgent stronghold, medical workers said.

The announcement by government spokesman Laith Kubba confirmed unofficial reports that the former strongman and several of his closest aides will face a special tribunal immediately after the national referendum on Iraq's constitution on Oct. 15.

Kubba said seven co-defendants from Saddam's regime would also face trial. They include: Barazan Ibrahim, intelligence chief at the time and Saddam's half brother; former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan; and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, at the time a Baath party official in Dujail, Kubba said.

The eight men will be charged with responsibility for the 1982 massacre of 143 Shiites in Dujail, a town north of Baghdad, after a failed assassination attempt. If found guilty, Saddam could receive the death penalty.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5255169,00.html

[habitual]

1. Shift The Focus

Quick, shift shift shift....

[katmondoo]

3. So tell me Who is worse Saddam or Bush?

I say they are equal

[beetbox]

4. It will be bread and circus time

The world series followed by a grand show trial. Everything's okay now people. Move along.

[bluestateguy]

2. Oh that's important

I. DON'T. CARE.

[norml]

5. You were first. Here's the one I posted in LBN.

Saddam Hussein trial will start Oct. 19



A wall on a building is covered with a damaged portrait of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, in Baghdad, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005. Iraqi authorities have set Oct. 19 as the date for the start of the trial of Saddam Hussein, an official said. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

September 4, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq --The Iraqi government announced Sunday that the trial of Saddam Hussein will open on Oct. 19. The statement by government spokesman Laith Kubba confirmed widespread speculation that the former strongman and several of his closest aides would face trial immediately after the national referendum on Iraq's constitution on Oct. 15.

Government officials have said authorities wanted the trial to start soon after the constitutional vote. But Western diplomats expressed skepticism that the case would be fully prepared by then.

"The first session for the trial will begin on Oct. 19," Kubba told reporters. He said seven co-defendants from the former regime would face trial with him.

They will be charged with responsibility for the 1982 massacre of 143 Shiites in Dujail, a town north of Baghdad, after a failed assassination attempt. If found guilty, Saddam could receive the death penalty.


snip


http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/09/04/saddam_hussein_trial_will_start_oct_19/

[beetbox]

6. I wanted to put in parentheses (Show) Trial