Saddam judge tries to resign

2006-01-15 10:16

Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin presides over the trial of Saddam Hussein inside the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. (Bob Strong, AP)

Baghdad - The judge presiding over the Iraqi tribunal trying deposed dictator Saddam Hussein has submitted his resignation after being criticized for the way he is running the court, an official close to the tribunal said Sunday.

"Judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin submitted his resignation shortly before the Eid Al-Adha (Muslim holiday on January 10) and efforts are under way to try to get him to change his mind," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The judge wants to resign because of strong criticism by politicians at the way he has allowed Saddam and his seven co-defendants to speak out in court and disrupt proceedings, the official said.

"The resignation has not yet been accepted," he added.

Amin, a Kurd, is presiding over the trial of Saddam and seven co-accused, charged with ordering the massacre of more than 140 Shiites in the town of Dujail following a 1982 assassination attempt on the former Iraqi leader.

- AFP