01 July 2004

by Anai Rhoads

E-mail this article

Veriana Media - U.S. military spokeswoman Maj. Carolyn Dysart alerted the media Thursday morning that Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was led into an Iraqi court 6 am EST (US) near the Baghdad airport.

A visibly apprehensive Hussein stood before the court and said, "I am Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq." The court then proceeded to list the charges against him, which included crimes against humanity, war atrocities, and genocide.

Other charges against Saddam included - gassing of the Kurds in Halabja in 1988, the 1974 killing of religious figures, slaughtering the Kurdish Barzani group in 1983, the 1986-88 "Anfal" campaign to remove Kurds, and the 1990-91 invasion of Kuwait.

When asked about the 1990-91 invasion of Kuwait under his command, Hussein waved his finger at the judge saying, "Kuwait is an Iraqi territory. It was not an invasion. I was protecting the women and children from the men who sought to steal them over the border for prostitution."

The court permitted cameras into the courtroom to capture the images of a now thinner Hussein, but would not allow audio.

Hussein was asked to sign a court document stating that he fully understood the charges against him, but he refused to comply. The hearings lasted approximately 30 minutes before the re-handcuffed Hussein was led out of the room.

This was Hussein's first court appearance since his capture in mid-December 2003. A total of 11 of Hussein's top lieutenants, including Tariq Aziz, are expected to hear their charges later today.

Hussein's formal trial may being as early as 2005.

©2004 Veriana Media Reproduction must be authorised in writing only, and altering the material and this copyright is prohibited and protected by international law.