WRAP Saddam defiant appears after hospitalisation, rails at Chief Judge

Описание: (26 Jul 2006)
1. Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman opening the ceremony
2. Wide of former Iraqi president and defendant Saddam Hussein
3. Chief Judge
4. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president and defendant:
"I was brought against my will (judge interrupts: "Against your will?"). Against my will, because I have presented you with a petition explaining that I do not intend to appear before the court."
5. Chief Judge
6. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Raouf Abdel-Rahman, Chief Judge:
(starting on a mid view of Saddam)
"We did not bring you here by force or against your will. This is the full text of your medical report dated the 26 July 2006. The report is addressed to this court. It reads: Subject: Saddam Hussein. Mr Saddam Hussein was examined this morning to check his health condition. It was found that he is fit to appear before the court, he is fit and alert."
7. Former Iraqi president and defendant Saddam Hussein smiling
8. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president and defendant:
Judge: "Where are they (your defence lawyers)?"
Saddam (starts off camera): "I have the means and I have lawyers."
Judge: "They are abroad? They are in front of television screens giving political speeches? Do you consider them lawyers?"
Saddam: "They cannot come to the court because you did not provide them with protection."
9. Cutaway prosecutor
10. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president and defendant:
"We said we do not recognise the invasion and the occupation, and we resist this occupation as we did when we were out of prison. The brave people are still resisting it. We do not acknowledge any of the decisions it has made after the occupation of Baghdad, including appointing the so-called government and this court which was named as the special high criminal court which you now represent, whether willingly or unwillingly."
11. Cutaway Chief Judge's hands
12. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president and defendant:
"I ask you as an Iraqi that if you have to pass a death sentence on Saddam Hussein, remember that Saddam Hussein is a military man. The death sentence should be by a firing squad, not by hanging like any common criminal."
13. Chief Judge pouring water into glass
STORYLINE:
A thinner, but combative Saddam Hussein appeared in court on Wednesday for the first time since his hunger strike and hospitalisation, complaining he had been brought against his will and asking to be executed by firing squad if the court sentences him to death.
"I was brought against my will," Saddam told the chief judge.
He asked the court to execute him by firing squad, "not by hanging as a common criminal", if it convicts him of all charges and sentences him to death.
As the session began in the US-controlled Green Zone, the ousted president was allowed to make a statement, in which he challenged the validity and impartiality of the court which could sentence him to death by hanging.
"We do not acknowledge any of the decisions it has made after the occupation of Baghdad, including appointing the so-called government and this court which was named as the special high criminal court which you now represent, whether willingly or unwillingly," said the former Iraqi president.
Saddam and seven co-defendants have been on trial since 19 October 2005 in the killing and torture of Shiites in Dujail following a 1982 assassination attempt against him there.
The prosecution has asked for the death penalty for Saddam and two of the seven others.
Executions in Iraq are normally by hanging.
The defence has accused Shiite militias of the killing.

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