Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Media: AFP
Byline: N/A
Date: 21 August 2006
BAGHDAD, Aug 21, 2006 (AFP) - Two of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's
defence lawyers left court in protest on Monday after a furious
confrontation between their client and the trial judge.
Judge Abdallah al-Ameri sparked Saddam's anger when he refused to allow the
lawyers -- Ziad al-Najdawi from Jordan and Mohammed Monieb of Egypt -- to
address the genocide trial on the grounds that they are not Iraqis.
"Iraq does not need any more violations of law," roared Saddam, pounding the
dock with his fist. "Why are you violating the law? I have hired these
lawyers to advise me."
The judge replied: "Iraqi law says Arabs can't speak. They can submit their
appeals to the chief Iraqi lawyer."
"Is that the Iraqi law?" demanded Saddam, to which the judge replied: "Yes".
The lawyers then withdrew from the proceedings, whereupon Saddam's lead
Iraqi counsel began a prolonged argument that the Iraqi High Tribunal is
itself illegitimate.
Byline: N/A
Date: 21 August 2006
BAGHDAD, Aug 21, 2006 (AFP) - Two of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's
defence lawyers left court in protest on Monday after a furious
confrontation between their client and the trial judge.
Judge Abdallah al-Ameri sparked Saddam's anger when he refused to allow the
lawyers -- Ziad al-Najdawi from Jordan and Mohammed Monieb of Egypt -- to
address the genocide trial on the grounds that they are not Iraqis.
"Iraq does not need any more violations of law," roared Saddam, pounding the
dock with his fist. "Why are you violating the law? I have hired these
lawyers to advise me."
The judge replied: "Iraqi law says Arabs can't speak. They can submit their
appeals to the chief Iraqi lawyer."
"Is that the Iraqi law?" demanded Saddam, to which the judge replied: "Yes".
The lawyers then withdrew from the proceedings, whereupon Saddam's lead
Iraqi counsel began a prolonged argument that the Iraqi High Tribunal is
itself illegitimate.