You have no right to try me, says 'Chemical Ali'

Saddam Hussein’s cousin today told Iraq’s High Tribunal that it had no right to try him for war crimes because US forces were immune from prosecution for their alleged wrongdoings in Iraq.

Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as “Chemical Ali” for his alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds, said: “If I made a mistake, then the tribunal should punish those who wrote Iraq’s laws. My orders were issued on behalf of the country.”

There has been a legal arrangement since 2003 under which American troops are immune from Iraqi law, although many have been tried before US military courts.

Prosecutor Munqith al-Faroon told al-Majid that US troops “have immunity in Iraq only. There were soldiers who were tried and received harsh punishment”.

Al-Majid challenged the jurisdiction of the court a day after he testified that he had given orders to destroy scores of villages during Baghdad’s campaign against the Kurds in the 1980s. Saddam’s regime suspected them of collaborating with Iran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

Al-Majid is one of six defendants facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from Baghdad’s military campaign in which more than 100,000 Kurds were killed.

The trial was adjourned until February 7.