Speed up Saddam's trial, Allawi tells court

17 Aug, 2004

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi urged an Iraqi court on Monday to speed up proceedings against toppled leader Saddam Hussein and his close aides.
Allawi said his US-backed government would do all it can to ensure the men get a fair trial.
"His Excellency impressed upon the judges the importance of speeding the trials of the leaders of the previous regime," Allawi's spokesman said in a statement.
Saddam, overthrown in the US-led invasion last year, was arraigned before a US-appointed judge on July 1 and charged with crimes against humanity.
Several of his top aides also appeared separately before the same judge for their arraignment. Pending a trial, they are being held in a secret location by US forces under Iraqi jurisdiction.

Read Comments