An investigating judge has questioned Saddam Hussein's feared cousin, 'Chemical Ali', and a former Iraqi defence minister. The hearings launch the first phase of the war crimes trials of leaders of the toppled Iraqi government. Officials say the hearings are expected to eventually see Saddam and 11 aides charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.Raed Jouhi - the chief investigating judge for the Special Tribunal set up to try leaders of the toppled Baath Party regime - said: "Today, we met Ali Hassan al-Majid and Sultan Hashem. What happened today was an ordinary investigative hearing for the accused. It could be repeated many times." Saddam himself is expected to be among the last to face trial. But Judge Jouhi says there is no timetable and that the other accused, including 67-year-old Saddam, will also be questioned by magistrates in the investigative stage. Judges gathering evidence of mass killings in the Kurdish north and Shiite south, some from mass graves that dot Iraq, will decide in their own time who will be charged with what. "We have no first and last person," Judge Jouhi said.
Official film released after the hearings showed Judge Jouhi interviewing both men separately at a desk in a large, bare room. Both arrived handcuffed and flanked by Iraqi policemen. They appeared in good health, Hashem still burly but slimmer than before his arrest, while Majid, displaying flashes of humour with the guards, showed his clear family resemblance to Saddam. Hashem also smiled and chatted with those around him. Majid leant on a walking stick and appeared to be supported by one of the policemen as he stood before the judge. A copy of the Koran wrapped in green cloth lay on the judge's desk before each defendant as they appeared in turn. Images of the men were last shown in July, when Judge Jouhi presided over brief showcase hearings for Saddam and his aides. He says both men had lawyers present at the hearings. "The accused received legal counsel and have met their defence lawyers, with the exception of one or two," Judge Jouhi said.