The brother-in-law of Mohammad Oreibi al-Khalifa, the new chief judge in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein, has been shot dead.
The brother-in-law of Mohammad Oreibi al-Khalifa, the new chief judge in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein, has been shot dead.
Gunmen opened fire on Kadhem Abdul Hussein's car in West Baghdad on Thursday evening, police say.
Gunmen opened fire on Kadhem Abdul Hussein's car in the mainly Sunni suburb of West Baghdad on Thursday evening, police said.
His son was also hit in the attack, although there were conflicting reports about whether he survived.
Mr Abdul Hussein was killed outright and police said his son was injured.
Three defence lawyers working on the trials of the former Iraqi leader have been murdered since last October.
Three defence lawyers working on the trials of the former Iraqi leader have been murdered since last October.
Sacked
Mr Abdul Hussein, a Shia, was the husband of Mr Khalifa's sister.
Kadhem Abdul Hussein, a Shia, was the husband of the Mr Oreibi al-Khalifa's sister.
A police source told Reuters news agency the attack happened in a large Sunni Arab neighbourhood in the Iraqi capital at 1900 local time (1500 GMT) on Thursday.
A police source told Reuters news agency the attack happened in a large Sunni Arab neighbourhood in the Iraqi capital at 1900 local time (1500 GMT) on Thursday.
It was not clear whether the attack was related to Chief Judge Oreibi al-Khalifa's role in the trial or was part of the current wave of sectarian attacks in the Iraqi capital.
It was not clear whether the attack was related to Judge Khalifa's role in the trial or was part of the current wave of sectarian attacks in the Iraqi capital.
Mr Oreibi al-Khalifa, also a Shia, was appointed to the Saddam Hussein trial last week after the government asked the court to sack his predecessor over concerns about his neutrality.
Mr Khalifa, also a Shia, was appointed to the Saddam Hussein trial last week after the government asked the court to sack his predecessor over concerns about his neutrality.
Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri had sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator.
Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri had sparked controversy by saying the ex-leader had not been a dictator.
All involved in the trials of the former Iraqi leader - including judges, lawyers and witnesses on both sides - are regarded to be at high risk.
All involved in the trials of the former Iraqi leader - including judges, lawyers and witnesses on both sides - are regarded to be at high risk.
How do you think this will affect the trial of Saddam Hussein? Can a fair trial be held in Iraq? Is it too dangerous? Send us your comments using the form below:
How do you think this will affect the trial of Saddam Hussein? Can a fair trial be held in Iraq? Is it too dangerous? Send us your comments using the form below:
