Saddam's second trial begins

The second trial of Saddam Hussein began today, opening a new legal chapter for the ousted Iraqi leader, who is charged with genocide and war crimes from his scorched-earth offensive against Kurds nearly two decades ago.

The case against Saddam and six co-defendants is tied to the deaths of tens of thousands of people during the Iraqi army’s “Operation Anfal” – Arabic for “spoils of war”. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.