Saddam defence seeks UN help
2004-07-13 20:33
Amman - Defence lawyers for Saddam Hussein plan to petition the United Nations to take action against what they term US "violations" in the trial of the ousted Iraqi leader, the head of the legal team said on Tuesday.
"We are planning to send a letter to the United Nations to say that the United States should stop the legal violations it is carrying out in the trial" of Saddam, Mohammed Rashdan said.
"If they do not respect the law we will sue" the US administration, he added, but refused to give any details.
The 21-member Jordan-based defence team has repeatedly accused the US-led coalition in Iraq of preventing the team from visiting Iraq to meet Saddam to prepare his defence.
Rashdan on Tuesday concluded a visit to Paris where he met lawyers and legal advisors, including former French foreign minister Roland Dumas, to rally support for the team's case and was heading to Beirut on a similar mission.
Dumas "has indicated his willingness to join the defence team", Rashdan said from the French capital.
Saddam went before an Iraqi court on July 1 for an initial hearing on seven charges of crimes against humanity.
- AFP