August 25
IRAQ:
Court: Saddam Fires All but One Attorney
Saddam Hussein has fired his legal defense team except for an Iraqi
attorney who is the only person authorized to represent him, a court said
Wednesday.
A statement by the Iraqi Special Tribunal said Saddam was questioned
Monday about news reports that he had fired all his lawyers except for
Iraqi attorney Khalil al-Dulaimi.
"Mr. Saddam confirmed that he canceled all the power of attorneys and
fired them," the statement said. "At present, his only authorized defense
counsel is Mr. Khalil."
The statement said al-Dulaimi will seek formal permission from the
tribunal to serve as sole legal counsel to the ousted dictator, although
he has attended interrogation sessions held by tribunal investigators.
Judge Raid Juhi asked Saddam whether he wanted any international lawyers,
counselors or advisers to assist in his defense and Saddam said no, the
statement added.
Saddam's family announced in Jordan on Aug. 8 that they had dismissed the
1,500-member Arab and Western defense team. Saddam's family provided few
details in a statement signed by the former Iraqi leader's eldest
daughter, Raghad, who lives in Jordan.
The announcement said only that the family has hired al-Dulaimi and would
"rearrange the legal defense campaign."
Saddam is to face the 1st of perhaps a dozen trials before the Iraqi
Special Tribunal in the coming months. Last month, the tribunal accused
Saddam and three others in the 1982 massacre of about 150 Shiites in the
town of Dujail north of Baghdad, killings allegedly carried out in
retaliation for a failed assassination attempt against Saddam.
He could receive the death penalty if convicted.
(source: Associated Press)
