Saddam lawyer says October trial gives too little time to prepare defence

LAWYERS for former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein complained yesterday that plans to start his trial next month gave him too little time to prepare his defence.

British-based lawyer Abdel Haq Alani also said Saddam’s defence attorneys are being kept in the dark on charges against him and doubted that the trial would start on October 19 as announced by Iraqi officials.

Saddam’s family called on his new legal team to highlight alleged breaches of the Iraqi former dictator’s human rights since he was captured and imprisoned.