Posted on 12/15/2004 12:25:41 PM PST by demlosers
Official: 'Chemical Ali' to Be Tried First: 'Chemical Ali' to Be First Saddam Aide to Face Trial Next Week, Government Official Says
Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 15, 2004 — The ex-Iraqi general known as "Chemical Ali," who is accused of using chemical weapons attacks to kill thousands of Kurds, will be the first detained former Saddam Hussein regime figure to stand trial next week, a government official said Wednesday.
Ali Hasan al-Majid is accused of ordering the 1988 Halabja chemical weapons attacks against Kurds, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and suppressing a 1991 Shiite uprising in southern Iraq.
He is among 12 regime members, including Saddam who was arrested a year ago Monday, waiting to face trial. But the former Iraqi president will not be among those to appear in court next week, The Associated Press has learned.
"The whole group will be tried and the first to be tried is Ali Hassan al-Majid," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that Saddam will also face trial but did not specify when.
Al-Majid was No. 2 on the deck of 55 most wanted former Iraqi leaders. He was captured Aug. 21, 2003 and arraigned July 1 in Baghdad.
On Tuesday, Iraq's interim Prime Minister Allawi announced Iraq will bring top figures of Saddam's ousted regime to court next week for the first time since they appeared before a judge five months ago, and formal indictments could be issued next month.
The Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the hearings would be preliminary and that al-Majid would be among the first to appear.
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