Posted on 09/01/2005 6:22:36 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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.
European Union countries have distanced themselves from legal proceedings against Saddam, refusing to provide forensic and other assistance, because of the prospect that Saddam may be put to death.
Iraqi authorities plan a series of trials for specific alleged offenses rather than lumping them together. The first trial will focus on the alleged massacre of hundreds of Shiites in Dujail in 1982 following a failed assassination attempt on Saddam.
Separate trials are expected for the gassing of Kurds at Halabja and the 1991 suppression of the Shiite uprising in the south, officials said.
The government announced Aug. 17 that the three men hanged Thursday had been sentenced to death by a court in Kut last May. The government statement said they also were convicted of kidnapping and rape.
"It was a difficult decision because we are living in a democratic atmosphere," the government spokesman said. "This is the highest punishment taken against people who have conducted assassinations, and it aims at deterring criminals from going too far in their crimes."
Iraqi officials say about seven other people, including one woman, have been sentenced to death. Their cases are under review or appeal.
Death sentences must be approved by the three-member presidential council headed by President Jalal Talabani, who opposes capital punishment. Talabani refused to sign the authorization himself but his office said he let one of his vice presidents, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, do so for him.
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Associated Press reporter Hamed Ahmed contributed to this report.
will he put on a Michael Jackson-like defense?
Now they are getting down to business. Its been a long time coming. Time to work the Hangman overtime.
He faces the rope. He now knows it.
It's about time.
Lets give him the courtesy of a fair trial and then hang the bastard!
Damn, it's about time!
The eu has distanced them self's. I find that both funny and pathetic at the same time.
I think the whole reason these three bozo's were executed was to send a message. Saddam, we are coming for you. And also some of his henchmen who might want to work out a "deal" to save thier own necks from the gallows. I always thot the perscribed form of execution over there was beheading. But hanging works. Hope the ACLU does not try to block it saying it is cruel and unusual.
Where's Johnny Cochran when you need him?
(I know he's dead )
fyi - Saddam Trial Date Update
Good...now let's get on with it
Thanks for the heads up...good news
I saw your post a while back, looks like now that Iraqis have used the gallows, he should be a bit edgy about his longevity..
The court will not keep him around and will pursue only a small portion of the potential charges they could eventually level at him,, but what they have already mass grave wise alone is more than enough to hang him on.
who says democracy won't work on the Arab side of the aisle in the Middle East?
Good! If the Sunnis reject the Constitution, the rest of the country can take out their anger on the former Sunni leader. The stories of his atrocities may even make the Sunnis feel guilty enough to compromise on the next round of negotiations.
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