Saddam's trial may be delayed
2005-10-05 21:35
London - A senior British official said on Wednesday that Saddam Hussein's trial, which is due to start later this month, might
be postponed until after elections in Iraq in December.
Any delay to the October 19 start date would not be for political reasons but practical ones, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
For example bullet proof screens and witness protection programmes had to be provided.
"I think there are some logistical problems. There are a lot of things they haven't got round to yet," the official told reporters in London.
He also warned of a rise in violence before a planned referendum on the new Iraqi constitution on October 15 and also ahead of the December polls.
"That is what the security forces are preparing for. There are a lot of people who don't want this process to succeed," he said.
- AFP