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Saddam's genocide trial resumes Trial dividing Iraq, says Saddam
(about 7 hours later)
Saddam Hussein's trial for genocide against the Kurds has resumed, a day after the ex-president predicted Iraq's "liberation" from US military control. Saddam Hussein has accused prosecution witnesses at his trial for genocide against the Kurds of fuelling division and hatred among Iraqis.
All seven co-defendants were present when court proceedings reopened for first time since last Wednesday. The ousted president said: "The Zionists are the only ones who will benefit from differences among Iraqis".
Saddam Hussein published an open letter to Iraqis blaming foreign forces for sowing sectarian divisions. He was addressing the court after several Kurds testified about atrocities allegedly committed by government forces in 1988.
Also on Monday, the chief prosecutor's brother was killed by gunmen in Baghdad in a wave of violence sweeping Iraq. Prosecutors say some 180,000 people died during the Anfal offensive.
Emad al-Faroon - brother of Munquith al-Faroon - was shot dead in the west of the Iraqi capital in front of his wife by unidentified attackers who burst into his home. "We are one people as Iraqis and no-one can doubt that in this place," Saddam Hussein said during Tuesday's court session.
Tuesday's court session was expected to hear more testimony about alleged atrocities committed by Saddam's forces during the Anfal military campaign against the Kurds in 1988, in which tens of thousands of people are believed to have died. I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised' Mutalib Mohammed SalmanProsecution witness
Settling scores He said the testimony by the Kurd prosecution witnesses would "only serve the separation" in Iraq, referring to the growing sectarian and ethnic violence that has already claimed thousands of lives.
Saddam Hussein's statement was dictated to his lawyers and published as an open letter on Monday. Saddam Hussein's comments echoed his open letter to Iraqis on Monday in which he blamed foreign forces for sowing divisions among Iraqis.
"The hour of liberation is at hand, God willing. But remember that your near-term goal is confined to freeing your country from the forces of occupation and their followers, and not to be preoccupied in settling scores," he said. In the letter, the former president also predicted Iraq's "liberation" from US military control.
The former Iraqi leader and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid are charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Anfal campaign. 'Anfalised'
Four others are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. All seven face the death penalty if they are convicted by the panel of judges. Earlier on Tuesday, several elderly Kurdish peasants gave evidence about the Anfal campaign.
Last week the presiding judge threw Saddam Hussein out of court in a raucous session during which witnesses testified that Kurdish women were raped while in detention. Omar Hassan Omar said hundreds of people had died in a prison camp
Mutalib Mohammed Salman, 78, said he and others from his village in northern Iraq had been rounded up and taken to a prison camp in central Iraq.
He said conditions in the prison had been so bad that hundreds of people had died there.
Mr Salman also said that his wife and many relatives had disappeared after the offensive.
"I demand Saddam tell me about the fate of my relatives, the 33 of my relatives who were 'Anfalised'," he said.
Another witness, Omar Hassan Omar, 71, said he had been arrested and sent with thousands of fellow Kurds to a prison camp where hundreds later died.
He said his family had disappeared after an attack on his village by Iraqi troops.
In another development on Tuesday, the presiding judge agreed to a request by defence counsel to allow their lawyer back in court.
The defence lawyers have been boycotting the trial after the sacking of the previous presiding judge for alleged bias towards Saddam Hussein several weeks ago.
The trial was later adjourned until Wednesday.
Dujail verdict expected
Saddam Hussein and his six co-defendants insist the Anfal operation was a legitimate measure against separatists.
The former Iraqi leader and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, are charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Anfal campaign.
Four others are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. All seven could face the death penalty.
In a separate trial, Saddam Hussein and seven other co-defendants are awaiting a verdict concerning the deaths and torture of Shia Muslims during a crackdown in the village of Dujail in 1980s.In a separate trial, Saddam Hussein and seven other co-defendants are awaiting a verdict concerning the deaths and torture of Shia Muslims during a crackdown in the village of Dujail in 1980s.
A verdict in this trial is expected next month.A verdict in this trial is expected next month.