Saddam snaps at judge
2005-11-28 11:46
Baghdad - Saddam Hussein and others assembled on Monday in a special Green Zone courtroom for resumption of his trial as the sound of mortar fire echoed through the centre of the Iraqi capital. Saddam complained angrily to the judge about having to walk up four flights of stairs, chained and escorted by "foreign guards."
Former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark and the former Qatari Justice Minister Najib al-Nueimi were seated with the defence team inside the heavy guarded room, along with Saddam's chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi.
Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin ordered all handcuffs and shackles removed from the defendants as each entered the court separately. Saddam was the last of the eight to come inside, walking with a swagger, appearing cheerful and greeting people with a traditional Arabic greeting "peace be upon the people of peace."
Saddam, dressed in black trousers and a grey jacket, entered about eight minutes after his name was called.
Once inside, Saddam had a brief heated exchange with the chief judge, complaining that he had to walk up four flights of stairs in shackles and carrying a copy of the Muslim holy book Qur'an because the elevator wasn't working.
The judge said he would tell the police not to let this happen again. Saddam snapped: "You do not tell them. You order them. You are an Iraqi they are conquerors and occupiers."
Several mortar blasts could be heard although it was unclear where they occurred. There were no casualty reports.
- AP