This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5361492.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Saddam's trial judge 'replaced' Saddam's trial judge 'replaced'
(10 minutes later)
The judge in charge of Saddam Hussein's genocide trial is to be replaced, Iraqi state TV has reported. The judge in charge of Saddam Hussein's genocide trial has been replaced, the Iraqi prime minister's office said.
The government had asked the court to sack the chief judge, saying he had lost his "neutrality", a spokesman said quoted by Reuters news agency. Earlier, the government said it had asked the court to sack Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri accusing him of losing his "neutrality".
Last Thursday, Judge Abdullah al-Amiri sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator. Last Thursday, Mr Amiri sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator.
There was no immediate confirmation of the move by the court. There has been no confirmation from the court. In Saddam's first war crimes trial the judge also stepped down.
"We have asked the court to replace the judge because he has lost his neutrality," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters."We have asked the court to replace the judge because he has lost his neutrality," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters.
"The court told us he has already been replaced. This was a decision by the cabinet of the prime minister," Mr Dabbagh said. "The court told us he has already been replaced. This was a decision by the cabinet of the prime minister."
Saddam Hussein and six others are on trial for war crimes against the Kurds during the so-called Anfal campaign.Saddam Hussein and six others are on trial for war crimes against the Kurds during the so-called Anfal campaign.
They including his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, who accused of killing up to 180,000 Kurdish civilians in the late 1980s.They including his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, who accused of killing up to 180,000 Kurdish civilians in the late 1980s.
Saddam Hussein and Mr Majid, popularly known in Iraq as Chemical Ali, face additional charges of genocide.Saddam Hussein and Mr Majid, popularly known in Iraq as Chemical Ali, face additional charges of genocide.