Discriminatie
15-02-2006, 01:01
Saddam On Hunger Strike
Updated: 17:45, Tuesday February 14, 2006
Saddam Hussein has said that he and his fellow defendants at his Baghdad trial have been on hunger strike for the last three days.
The declaration came as the former Iraqi dictator made a typically boisterous entry into the courtroom.
There were reports over the weekend that Saddam would stage a hunger strike, but these were later denied.
Saddam has been angry over his treatment by new chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman.
He said: "We have been on hunger strike for three days to protest the way they brought us to court."
When Mr Abdel-Rahman told Saddam off for not standing when he addressed the court, banging his gavel in the process, the former President replied: "Hit your own head with that gavel."
He also shouted his support for Iraqi insurgents, crying out: "Long live the mujahedeen."
Ibrahim Barzan Saddam and his seven co-accused face charges over their alleged role in the 1982 massacre of 148 Shi'ites in Dujail, north of Baghdad. All have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution is trying to show a direct link between Saddam and the killings, and called members of the former regime as witnesses.
The prosecution also produced documents in order to show the direct connection.
Ibrahim Barzan, Saddam's former intelligence chief, was allowed to defend himself during proceedings.
He denied any role in a wave of arrests in Dujail and said he went to the town on the day that gunmen opened fire on Saddam's motorcade before returning the following day.
He claimed he ordered the release of 80 detainees held at the ruling Baath Party's headquarters there.
He said that after the two visits, "I never heard of Dujail ever again."
Prosecution witnesses have testified that Ibrahim was personally involved in torturing them after they were taken from Dujail to Baghdad.
The trial has now been adjourned until February 28.
More on This Story:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1212199,00.html
Updated: 17:45, Tuesday February 14, 2006
Saddam Hussein has said that he and his fellow defendants at his Baghdad trial have been on hunger strike for the last three days.
The declaration came as the former Iraqi dictator made a typically boisterous entry into the courtroom.
There were reports over the weekend that Saddam would stage a hunger strike, but these were later denied.
Saddam has been angry over his treatment by new chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman.
He said: "We have been on hunger strike for three days to protest the way they brought us to court."
When Mr Abdel-Rahman told Saddam off for not standing when he addressed the court, banging his gavel in the process, the former President replied: "Hit your own head with that gavel."
He also shouted his support for Iraqi insurgents, crying out: "Long live the mujahedeen."
Ibrahim Barzan Saddam and his seven co-accused face charges over their alleged role in the 1982 massacre of 148 Shi'ites in Dujail, north of Baghdad. All have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution is trying to show a direct link between Saddam and the killings, and called members of the former regime as witnesses.
The prosecution also produced documents in order to show the direct connection.
Ibrahim Barzan, Saddam's former intelligence chief, was allowed to defend himself during proceedings.
He denied any role in a wave of arrests in Dujail and said he went to the town on the day that gunmen opened fire on Saddam's motorcade before returning the following day.
He claimed he ordered the release of 80 detainees held at the ruling Baath Party's headquarters there.
He said that after the two visits, "I never heard of Dujail ever again."
Prosecution witnesses have testified that Ibrahim was personally involved in torturing them after they were taken from Dujail to Baghdad.
The trial has now been adjourned until February 28.
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1212199,00.html