Saddam confirms his new defense lawyer
Iraq, Politics, 8/24/2005

Iraqi judicial sources said that the former toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein stressed his desire to keep one lawyer, Khalil al-Duleimi, who was chosen by Saddam's family, after they withdrew all assignments from Arab and foreign lawyers by the beginning of August.

The special Iraqi court in charge of trying Saddam Hussein said in a statement that the former president decided to give up the services of his other lawyers with the exception of al-Duleimi, noting that Saddam gave the liberty for al-Duleimi to chose a team of lawyers and experts to help him in his mission.

The statement added that judge Raed Jouhi stressed the right of all detained former Iraqi officials to receive their lawyers at any time they like.

For his part, al-Duleimi said he had met with his client in talks for four hours in one of the American detention center on the outskirts of Baghdad, giving no further details.

Saddam Hussein's family justified withdrawing the other lawyers whose number tolled 2,000 volunteers, because the family became concerned over statements made by Arab and foreign lawyers to the press in which they alleged they are talking on behalf of Saddam Hussein.

Saddam Hussein is expected to be brought before the court for trial under the charge of torture and killing thousands, accusations that may receive death penalty. So far, there has been only one official accusation addressed to him. It is the killing of 143 Shiite in al-Dajil village in 1982 following a failed coupe attempt.

Worthy mentioning that Saddam Hussein was detained on December 13, 2003 in Tikrit area, north of Baghdad following the US invasion. He is detained with his senior former officials in a prison near Baghdad's airport.

Previous Stories:
  Tareq Aziz meets family: I am not concerned about trial   (8/22/2005)
  Saddam Hussein trial to be broadcast on TV   (8/1/2005)
  Saddam Hussein interrogate on events against Shiites and Kurds   (7/30/2005)
  US freezes assets of Saddam's relatives. Saddam again on TV screens   (7/22/2005)

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