Posted on 11/02/2006 1:56:37 PM PST by mdittmar
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein will soon learn his fate, with the verdict in his first war crimes trial in Baghdad.
But Saddam's lawyers are continuing to protest his innocence, claiming the trial is purely political.
Saddam and his seven co-defendants are charged with crimes against humanity, over the killing of 148 Muslim Shi'ites from the northern Iraqi town of Dujail. The inhabitants were shot after an attempt to assassinate Saddam as he passed through the town in 1982.
The five judges presiding over the trial are scheduled to deliver their verdicts on Sunday.
The statement did not spell out why the verdict will be handed down over the weekend, but the defence team has previously noted that it will fall two days before the US Congressional elections.
A guilty verdict and death sentence could potentially help the Republican Party by reminding voters of Saddam's crimes.
If convicted, Saddam could be condemned to death by hanging, but he will have the right to appeal.
The US ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, has denied that his government had anything to do with the timing of the verdict, saying that while the US gives security and logistical support to the court, it does not influence its decisions.
Saddam 'innocent'
However Saddam's defence team claim the verdict will be America's "last kick before dying" in Iraq.
"We deeply believe that President Saddam Hussein and his comrades are innocent of any of the charges brought against them," the statement said. "His trial is being conducted for well-known political motivations," the nine lawyers said in a statement.
The statement used patriotic language to arouse pro-Saddam sentiment. Addressing Iraqis, it said: "Your sons and brothers in (Saddam's) defence committee are doing their utmost effort to expose this null and illegal trial, which will result in nothing than more injustice."
It ended with the words: "Victory for Iraq, its people and its legitimate leadership."
It should be interesting.
I wish the news would also report on some of the other trials that are going there. From what I understand, there are quite a few members of the former regime facing the same fate as Saddam.
ROVE!!!
"The five judges presiding over the trial are scheduled to deliver their verdicts on Sunday."
Hey, just before the elections. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.
And thirty day execution directly after.
It wont change the dynamics here..
"His trial is being conducted for well-known political motivations,"
Yeah, like making him accountable for the tens of thousands he killed while highly motivated in his political capacity.
"Its good to be the king."
I think it will look like tangible progress unless he's somehow found not guilty.
If it comes back "not guilty" and he sues America for lost wages, it could get nasty.
Excellent news. I hope that President Bush will address the nation on Sunday night regarding Saddam Hussein verdict and I hope that the traitors in the democrat party will have a rebuttal so they will further destroy any chance they have to win the House or the Senate.
I can't think of an appropriate way to do the SOB in. Even the plastic shredder feet first would be too quick. Slow roasting, maybe, to prepare him for what's to come?
Make it hundreds of thousands of people he butchered… The evil man time has finally arrived.
That thought has crossed my mind..
If they hang him right after or the next day after it will help in the US.
a few well-turned phrases with a little "told ya so" smile will drive the libs crazy, and Monday will be full of their statements praising Saddam ... another RYMB moment!
If they had just asked me for his fate they would have known a heckuva lot sooner!
Make him spend the rest of his life shoveling pig crap at Murphy Farms! And for good behavior he can spend the weekends cleaning the dog pens at the pound.
There, hows that. Not violent yet so condemning.
Wonder what happens if the SOB survives???????
The Shiites won't accept anything less than a guilty verdict with so much evidence that's out there.
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