Saddam to face Iraqi court on Thursday
Saddam Hussein will be handed over to Iraqi custody tomorrow and face charges before an Iraqi court on Thursday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said today.
Allawi made the announcement during his first news conference since the US-led coalition transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi interim government.
“We will see the commencement of legal proceedings against Saddam Hussein and others,” he said.
Allawi promised an open proceeding.
Saddam will appear before an Iraqi judge to face charges related to his 23 years of rule, Allawi said. However, he will remain in a US-run jail because the Iraqi government lacks a suitable prison.
“The accused will be afforded the right to counsel,” he said. “The accused may not be held to testify against themselves and may remain silent.”
The trials for Saddam and 11 others will not occur for months and he urged the Iraqi people to be patient.
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