Saddam faces genocide charges

IRAQI authorities yesterday filed genocide charges against Saddam Hussein, accusing him and six co-defendants in the 1980s crackdown that killed an estimated 100,000 Kurds.

Saddam returns to court today in a six-month-old trial in which he faces a possible death sentence if convicted in the killing of more than 140 Shi’ites.

Defence lawyer Khamis al-Obeidi said Saddam plans to make a statement to the court during the session.