Under renewed criticism, Saddam trial to resume

Politicians have complained about the slow pace of the proceedings.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The troubled Saddam Hussein trial resumes today with a new judge and with international human rights groups saying political interference is threatening the tribunal's independence.
Saddam and his seven co-defendants are charged in the deaths of about 140 Shiite Muslims after an assassination attempt against the former Iraqi leader in the Shiite town of Dujail in 1982. The defendants could face death by hanging if convicted.
Plagued by delays
The trial, which began Oct. 19, has been plagued by delays, chaotic outbursts by Saddam and the assassination of two defense lawyers.
The proceeding was due to resume last Tuesday after a month's break but was postponed for five days because court officials said some witnesses had not returned from the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
However, court officials told The Associated Press the main reason for the delay was that judges were upset by a decision to appoint and then remove another chief judge to replace Rizgar Mohammed Amin, a Kurd who stepped down Jan. 15.
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Mousawi told the AP that Raouf Rasheed Abdel-Rahman, a Kurdish jurist, was expected to head the five-judge panel when the session resumes in the heavily guarded Green Zone.
Amin cited health reasons for his decision. But politicians had complained about the slow pace of the proceedings and Amin's patience in the face of frequent outbursts by Saddam and one of his co-defendants, Barzan Ibrahim.
Off the case
Amin's deputy, Saeed al-Hammash, had been expected to take over as chief judge but was moved off the case after allegations he once was a member of Saddam's Baath party. Al-Hammash, a Shiite, denied Baath membership and maintained he was the victim of a conspiracy.
One of Saddam's defense lawyers said his team would file several motions today questioning the court's independence and legitimacy because of Amin's resignation.
"The trial is going through a legal crisis," lawyer Khamis al-Obeidi said. "The new chief judge needs a long time to familiarize himself with the details of the case."
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