Former U.S. A.G. thrown out before judgment; timing speculated to be related to U.S. Midterm Elections; Saddam likely to be hanged by February.
From the AP's Hamza Hendawi:
"Before the session began, one of Saddam's lawyers, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, was ejected from the courtroom after handing the judge a memorandum in which he called the trial a travesty..."
"Some feared the verdicts could exacerbate the sectarian violence that has pushed the country to the brink of civil war, after a trial that stretched over nine months in 39 sessions and ended nearly 3 1/2 months ago. The verdict came two days before midterm elections in the United States widely seen as a referendum on the Bush administration's policy in Iraq. U.S. and Iraqi officials have denied the timing was deliberate..."
"Saddam's chief lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi condemned the trial as a 'farce,' claiming the verdict was planned. He said defense attorneys would appeal within 30 days.
"The death sentences automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel, which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days.
A court official told The Associated Press that the appeals process was likely to take three to four weeks once the formal paperwork was submitted.
From the AP:
Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to death.
-- Guilty of forced deportation, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Barzan Ibrahim, Saddam's half brother and former intelligence chief:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to death.
-- Guilty of forced deportation, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Awad Hamed al-Bandar, former head of the Revolutionary Court:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to death.
Taha Yassin Ramadan, former Iraqi vice president:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to life in prison.
-- Guilty of forced deportation, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 7 years in prison.
-- Guilty of inhumane acts, sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid, former Baath Party official:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to 15 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 7 years in prison. (Sentences run concurrently so he will serve 15 years).
Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid, former Baath official:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to 15 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 7 years in prison. (Sentences run concurrently so he will serve 15 years).
Ali Dayih Ali, former Baath official:
-- Guilty of murder, sentenced to 15 years in prison.
-- Guilty of torture, sentenced to 7 years in prison. (Sentences run concurrently so he will serve 15 years.)
Mohammed Azawi Ali, former Baath official:
-- Acquitted of all charges and ordered released from custody immediately.
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