Prosecution begins closing arguments in Saddam trial

The prosecution began giving its closing arguments in the Baghdad trial of Saddam Hussein today.

The arguments launch the final phase of proceedings in the eight-month- trial. The defence is scheduled to take its turn from July 10.

Then the five-judge panel is expected to recess the court to consider its verdicts in the trial of Saddam and seven former members of his regime on charges of crimes against humanity for a crackdown against Shiites in the town of Dujail in the 1980s.

The eight could face execution by hanging if convicted on the charges. They are accused to arresting hundreds of people in the crackdown, including women and children, torturing some to death and killing 148 who were sentenced to death for a 1982 assassination attempt against Saddam in Dujail.

Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman told the court the day’s session would be dedicated solely to hearing the prosecution. But Barzan Ibrahim – a top co-defendant in the trial and Saddam’s former intelligence chief – interrupted him several times asking to speak, and the judge said he would allow him to speak after the session.