Genocide Trial of Former Iraqi Officials Resumes
08 January 2007
The trial of former Iraqi leaders accused of genocide in the mass killings of Iraqi Kurds in the 1980s has resumed in Baghdad.
The six remaining defendants include Saddam Hussein's cousin Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali", and other members of the former ruling Baath Party.
The officials are charged with involvement in the slaughter of up to 180,000 Kurdish villagers in northern Iraq as part of the former government's "Anfal" campaign. The accused have defended the campaign as a necessary operation against Kurdish guerillas who sided with Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.
As Monday's session began, the chief judge said the court has stopped all legal action against former president Saddam Hussein.
Saddam was hanged December 30 following his conviction in a separate trial for the killing of Iraqi Shi'ites in the village of Dujail in 1982.
Human Rights Watch is criticizing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for defending Saddam's controversial execution. Mr. Maliki said Saturday that justice was done and those who criticize the hanging are interfering in Iraq's internal affairs.
In a statement released today, Human Rights Watch says Mr. Maliki's statement shows his government's disregard for human rights.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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