Trial of Saddam Hussein Casts Doubt on Iraqi Ability to Try Case

Strategic Insights -

The trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been marred by violence, with the killing of a second defense attorney in as many weeks casting grave doubts on the Iraqi government's ability to hold a fair trial. Despite the brazen daylight attack on Tuesday, the Iraqi government has insisted that the trial will proceed as planned, with the next session scheduled for November 28. However, international observers and human rights groups are increasingly skeptical about the feasibility of holding the trial while the insurgency continues.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three masked gunmen in a speeding vehicle killed Adel al-Zubeidi, a defense attorney for former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, in a largely Sunni Arab neighborhood of western Baghdad on Tuesday.
  • The attack also wounded Thamir al-Khuzaie, attorney for another co-defendant, Saddam's half-brother Barazan Ibrahim.
  • The killing of Adel al-Zubeidi is the second defense attorney to be killed in three weeks, following the slaying of Saadoun al-Janabi on October 20.
  • An Iraqi government spokesman pointed to Saddam loyalists as the source of the attack, while Saddam's attorney blamed the Shiite-dominated government.
  • Richard Goldstone, the first prosecutor at the U.N. tribunal for war crimes in what was Yugoslavia, called for the trial to be shifted to an Arab country where there is security.
  • Laith Kubba, spokesman for Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, insisted that the trial will proceed in Baghdad as planned, despite the growing concerns about security.
  • The Iraqi government has long insisted that the trial be held in Iraq, and has rejected the idea of holding it in an international court.

Statistics:

  • 2 defense attorneys have been killed in the past three weeks: Adel al-Zubeidi and Saadoun al-Janabi.
  • 125 people have been killed and over 500 injured in the Dujail massacre, for which Saddam and his co-defendants are on trial.
  • 148 Shiite Muslims were killed in the Dujail massacre, according to the charges against Saddam and his co-defendants.
  • 28 November has been set as the new trial date, following the postponement due to the need for the defense to prepare.

Sources:

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BAGHDAD, IRAQ --
  • Richard Goldstone, first prosecutor at the U.N. tribunal for war crimes in what was Yugoslavia, as quoted by The Associated Press.
  • Laith Kubba, spokesman for Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, as quoted by The Associated Press.
  • State Department spokesman Adam Ereli, as quoted by The Associated Press.
  • Khalil al-Dulaimi, Saddam's chief attorney, as quoted by The Associated Press.