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Iraq-Jordan

Saddam's Lawyers Won't Attend Proceedings

2005-08-03

Saddam Hussein's lawyers will not take part in legal proceedings until the Iraqi tribunal acknowledges he was attacked in court and guarantees the safety of all defendants and attorneys, a lawyer for the former dictator said Tuesday. Members of Saddam's defense team claimed Saturday the former Iraqi president was attacked during a court appearance last week. The government and the Iraqi Special Tribunal said there had been no attack.

But Khalil al-Dulaimi, a lawyer for Saddam who attended the court appearance, insisted the allegation was true and demanded the government acknowledge it. He also insisted the tribunal apologize, guarantee the safety of Saddam and other former regime figures, and punish the attacker. He said Saddam's lawyers would stop attending any further proceedings "until our demands are met."

I'm not sure not showing up in court is the best way to win your case. In fact, I'm sure it's not.

Posted by:Fred

#6 Beyond political rhetoric and 3rd ring in the circus stunts there isn't a whole lot to do on behalf of folks like Saddam. What's the defense? I was just following orders. The columbian, shia, and amish (notorious king abner stolfus ring) drug gangs did it. I was sooo crazy I didn't comprehend my own evil ways. Self defense (gotta try real hard to keep the sociopathic smile off your face when you try that one). National security (mine not yours mr joe shia and kurd). Entrapment (Rummy made me do it I tell ya). The "Real Killers" TM did it and nobody cares. Damn Kuwaitis framed me. The loss of the potential entertainment of the absurd will be offset by reduced time and costs.

Posted by: MunkarKat 2005-08-03 13:29

#5 The last thing this trial will be about is Sammy. We got a bunch of lawyers lined up who want to become the Johnny Cochrane of Muslimland, not to mention Ramsey Clark and whatever US lefty bozos he drags over there with him. Think OJ was a circus? Might be nice if Sammy has a heart attack in his sleep.

Posted by: tu3031 2005-08-03 13:21

#4 These threats against our legal system are only the beginning.
Let's just put Saddam back in that hole they found him in, we shouldn't have "rescued" him.
If they don't return get a court appointed lawyer?

Posted by: Jan 2005-08-03 13:14

#3 Good, they didn't attend at Nuremberg either!

Posted by: smn 2005-08-03 02:46

#2 "Does the defense have anything to say? Well? [tap, tap, tap] Is this thing on? Hello? If not, we'll proceed straight to the penalty phase ...."

Posted by: AzCat 2005-08-03 01:26

#1 As you'll all be shocked to hear, Saddam's defense team is an asshat festival on wheels. First he was "attacked"; then they backed down on that, but insisted that still, somehow, there was something to apologize for. There's video -- trust me, nothing of significance happened.

In a way, it's a shame that Saddam won't have an F. Lee Bailey, but instead a gaggle of William Kunstlers. One of the most valuable things about the trials will be documenting the record of horrible crimes and abuses, and the best way to cement a solid case is to have it vigorously, intelligently, and unsuccessfully challenged. As this little episode shows, we're not likely to see much of that .....

Posted by: Verlaine in Iraq 2005-08-03 00:25

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