|
Saddamâs family form new defence team
AMMAN - Saddam Husseinâs family have chosen a new international legal counsel to defend him against war crimes charges during a trial they say denies him fair justice, the familyâs lawyer said on Saturday. âWe have formed a legal defence team that includes prominent American, European, Asian and Arab lawyers who were chosen on the basis of competence and merit to put up a strong defence,â said Abdel Haq Alani, legal adviser to Saddamâs eldest daughter Ragd, who is authorised to act on behalf of the family.
| The statement about competence and merit would seem to exclude Ramsey Clark. |
The source, who is not attached to the Special Tribunal trying the deposed president and his aides for crimes against humanity, forecast a quick trial and execution.
In meetings in Amman this week, Raghd approved the make-up of the defence team that would be charged with handling her fatherâs trial, Alani told Reuters. âThis capable team will be entrusted with preparing the defence case when the trial begins and disputing its legality and procedures that deny the President justice,â Alani added.
Alani, who is closely involved with the legal deliberations, said the identity of the new counsel would not be revealed for the time being.
| "Please don't kill them!" |
Alani said the first task of the new team of legal experts would be to get full access to the jailed former leader, saying justice could not be done without Saddam getting professional legal advice. âIf the Americans allow us to meet him there will be a chance to put a defence case and hammer the point that this trial is illegal,â Alani said
| Probably no use pointing out to him that Sammy is getting more opportunities to defend himself than he gave anyone else. |
Without official documents presented by the Iraqi judicial authorities or approval to bring more lawyers to defend Saddam, the ousted leaderâs basic legal rights were being violated, Alani said. âUntil now we cannot get on the with task of disputing the illegality of the trial or any charge because no official document has been presented so far. Itâs our right to see the charges,â Alani said.
The trial, which officials have said will probably largely be televised, will be held in a specially prepared building inside the fortified Green Zone government compound which was once Saddamâs presidential palace complex on the Tigris.
Posted by: Steve White 2005-09-04 |
