‘Charge Saddam or release him’

COALITION authorities must file charges against Saddam Hussein or release him when sovereignty is transferred to the Iraqi government on June 30, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday.

Under international and military law, prisoners of war and civilian internees should be released at the end of the conflict and occupation, unless there are charges against them, said spokeswoman, Nada Doumani.

Saddam's case is comparable to that of any other prisoner of war a status conferred on him by the detaining authorities, she said.