Official: Saddam's Trial to Begin in Oct.

[Eugene]

Official: Saddam's Trial to Begin in Oct.


Thursday September 1, 2005 10:01 PM

AP Photo BAG115

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi authorities plan to put Saddam Hussein on
trial within five days after the Oct. 15 referendum on the new
constitution, an official close to the proceedings said Thursday.

The official spoke after government spokesman Laith Kubba announced
that Iraq had carried out its first executions since Saddam was ousted
in 2003. Three men were hanged at 10 a.m. in a Baghdad prison for
murdering three policemen.

U.S. officials scrapped the death penalty in 2003 but Iraqi
authorities reinstated it after the transfer of sovereignty so they
would have the option of executing Saddam if he is convicted of crimes
committed during his regime.

"Saddam's trial will start right after the October referendum between
Oct. 16 and at the latest Oct. 20,'' the official said, speaking on
condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make the
official announcement.

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5249249,00.html

[LiberalEsto]

1. When does B*sh's trial start? n/t