Trial of Saddam and co-defendants on genocide charge resumes

Описание: (27 Nov 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Mid shot of Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa
2. Mid shot of defendant Sultan Hashim, former Defence Minister
3. Chief judge
4. Defendant Ali Hassan al-Majeed, cousin of Saddam Hussein
5. Chief judge
6. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Badee Izzat, defence lawyer:
"I am surprised, why did this American interfere? And why did he impose his opinion on us? I'd like to say: What is the relationship of this American with the tribunal? He (the American) brought names to me whom they have nothing to do with the court. I told him what is the benefit of this witness to my client? He (the American) replied: Don't talk; I coordinated this with the Chief Prosecutor. There is now a big plot on us and the judgment is ready, ready--" Judge cuts off microphones
7. Chief Judge speaking
8. Defendant Ali Hassan al-Majeed (also known as "Chemical Ali") speaking
9. Wide of defendants seated in dock, INCLUDING Saddam Hussein
STORYLINE
Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's trial on genocide charges against the Kurds resumed in Baghdad on Monday after an 19-day break.
Saddam sat quietly as the chief judge called a prosecution witness to take the stand.
His six co-defendants - all former members of his regime - were present, including Ali Hassan al-Majeed, Saddam's cousin who is also known as "Chemical Ali" for his purported gassing of the Kurds.
Saddam and his co-defendants have pleaded innocent to charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their alleged role in the military offensive against the Kurds, known as Operation Anfal.
The prosecution says that about 180,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the 1987-88 crackdown.
Saddam and one other defendant have also pleaded innocent to genocide.
If convicted, Saddam and his co-defendants could be condemned to death.
The deposed president and most of the other defendants were represented by court-appointed lawyers as defence counsel have been boycotting the trial for two months in protest against the court's refusal to give them more preparation time and other rulings.

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