| Author |
Message |
Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
|
 Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:54 am In first testimony, Hussein urges Iraqis to fight |
|
| Quote: | Trial adjourned till April 5
Wednesday, March 15, 2006; Posted: 11:13 a.m. EST (16:13 GMT)
Former dictator Saddam Hussein described himself Wednesday as "president of Iraq."
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Saddam Hussein took the stand for the first time at his trial Wednesday and angrily called on Iraqis to unite and fight the occupying forces.
"I am Saddam Hussein al-Majid, president of Iraq and commander of armed forces," Hussein declared, adding that God had trusted him to lead Iraq.
Judge Raouf Abdel Rahman reminded Hussein he is a defendant and no longer the president. (Watch Hussein's first testimony at his trial -- 6:36)
Hussein's tactics prompted the exasperated judge to close the proceedings to the media. The trial was reopened to reporters shortly afterward, then adjourned for three weeks, until April 5.
Before the sharp exchanges, Hussein's demeanor at first was not as theatrical as it had been in the past.
He walked in swiftly, with his shoulders bent and head down. He didn't acknowledge his defense team, apparently expecting a tough session.
Hussein read from a statement calmly at first, followed by angry outbursts as the exchanges with the judge grew more heated.
When challenged, Hussein became irate, shaking his finger and pointing at the judge.
Rahman told the former dictator, "This is a criminal court. We are not interested in politics."
Hussein answered, "If it wasn't for politics, neither you nor I would be here today."
The incensed judge cut off Hussein's microphone at least nine times as the former Iraqi president made provocative remarks such as "you are living in darkness and bleeding from rivers of blood."
Hussein is on trial with seven co-defendants from his former regime on charges of crimes against humanity in Dujail, a town north of Baghdad, after a failed assassination attempt against the ex-Iraqi leader in 1982.
More than 140 Shiite males were killed in a crackdown after the attempt on Hussein's life.
Hussein praised the Iraqi people and their efforts against the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.
"You have always been great in my eyes, and you will continue to be so. I have total faith in you," he said.
"It's only a question of time until the sun rises and you'll be victorious and you will prevail."
Hussein added, "Your enemies don't wish you any good. They wish you misery and more suffering and bloodshed.
"I never discriminated against any of you and have always tried to be just and fair to everyone," said Hussein, saying he is "inspired by the principles that are familiar to you and under our constitution which stipulated Islam official religion of Iraq: one nation."
After the session was closed to the media, observers said they believe the judge thinks Hussein is less likely to grandstand if reporters aren't present.
When reporters were allowed back in later, Hussein was not at all combative. He appeared to have a subdued demeanor and even raised his hand at one point when he wanted to speak.
Before Hussein took the stand, his half brother, former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, testified, denying he took part in the Dujail crackdown. (Full story)
CNN's Nic Robertson and Joe Sterling contributed to this report.
|
(The brother's testimony)
| Quote: | BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Saddam Hussein's half brother, former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, denied he took part in crackdown against Shiites in the 1980s as he testified Wednesday for the first time in the trial of the former Iraqi leader and members of his regime.
Hassan is the latest of the eight defendants in the trial to undergo direct questioning by the judge and chief prosecutor. Hussein is expected to testify later Wednesday.
The former Iraqi leader and his regime officials are charged with killing 148 Shiites, illegal imprisonment and torture in a crackdown launched after an assassination attempt against Hussein in the Shiite village of Dujail in 1982. They face possible execution by hanging if convicted.
In previous sessions, Dujail residents have testified that Hassan personally participating in torturing them during their imprisonment at the Baghdad headquarters of the Mukhabarat intelligence agency, which Hassan headed. One woman claimed Hassan kicked her in the chest while she was hung upside down and naked by her interrogators.
Hassan, wearing a traditional red scarf on his head, told chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman that he visited Dujail on the day of the July 8, 1982 shooting attack on Saddam's motorcade and on the following day -- but then "never visited it again after that."
He said the General Security agency handled the investigation into the shooting, not his own Mukhabarat. He claimed he ordered the release of Dujail residents who had been detained. "I chided the security and party officials for detaining those people," he said "I shook their (the released detainees') hands and let them go."
Reading from a statement, Hassan said he has been badly treated since his arrest by U.S. forces in April 2003. He said that when he was captured, his American interrogators asked him "how Oasma bin Laden came to Iraq" and met with Hussein. "They asked dozens of such questions with imaginary bases and assumptions," he said.
He also said he has asked for the past two years for medical tests "but no one has listened to me."
Hassan has made such statements previously in court -- but the testimony is the first opportunity for the judge and prosecutors to directly question him. Earlier this week, six other defendants went through similar questioning, one by one, and all insisted on their innocence.
One of the defendants, Awad Bandar -- the former chief judge of the Revolutionary Court -- admitted on Monday that he sentenced the 148 Shiites to death but he maintained they received a fair trial and had confessed to trying to assassinate the former Iraqi leader.
His comments echoed those of Hussein in an earlier session. Last month, Hussein admitted in court that he ordered the 148 Shiites put on trial before his Revolutionary Court, but said it was his right to do so because they were suspected of trying to kill him.
Prosecutors are trying to show Hussein's regime sought to punish the town's civilian population. Hundreds of people were arrested -- including entire families, with women and young children -- and detained for years.
They argue the Revolutionary Court trial was "imaginary," with no chance of defense, and have produced documents showing 10 juveniles -- including some as young as 11 and 13 -- were among those sentenced to death.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
Star Trek �, in all its various forms, are trademarks & copyrights of Paramount Pictures
This site has no official connection with Star Trek or Paramount Pictures
Site content/Site design elements owned by Morphy and is meant to only be an archive/Tribute to STV.com
|
Search
FAQ
Log in
