Saddam trial judge set to be replaced by deputy

A SHI’ITE lawyer is expected to take charge of Saddam Hussein’s trial for the 1982 massacre of over 140 Shiites, a court official said yesterday.

He would replace the Kurdish chief judge, who resigned amid claims of government interference in the high-profile case. His resignation has yet to be accepted by the Iraqi government.

Said al-Hamash, the second-ranking member of the five-judge tribunal trying the former Iraqi leader, is expected to replace chief judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin, said Raid Juhi, the top investigating judge who prepared the case against Saddam.