Home>News Center>World
         
 

Saddam pleads innocent, gets into scuffle
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-20 19:35

Iraqis and much of the Arab world watched glitchy television coverage of the proceedings intently, watching Saddam strike a pose reminiscent of the once-ubiquitous television pictures of him sitting at the head of a table surrounded by "yes" men.

"Since the fall of the regime, we have been waiting for this trial," said Aqeel al-Ubaidi, a resident of Dujail. "The trial won't bring back those who died, but at least it will help put out the fire and anger inside us."

Wednesday's session, held under tight security, was testy from the start, when the judge asked Saddam to take the stand first.

As the courtroom fell silent, Saddam got up from his chair and took the podium, holding a copy of the Quran. He refused to state his name for the record and turned the question back on the presiding judge, Rizgar Mohammed Amin, a Kurd whose identity was revealed to the public only on the day of the trial.

"Who are you? I want to know who you are," Saddam demanded.

"I do not respond to this so-called court, with all due respect to its people, and I retain my constitutional right as the president of Iraq," he said, brushing off Amin's attempts to interrupt him. "Neither do I recognize the body that has designated and authorized you, nor the aggression because all that has been built on false basis is false."

After repeatedly refusing to give his name, Saddam finally sat. Amin read his name for him, calling him the "former president of Iraq."

"I said I'm the president of Iraq," Saddam snapped back. "I did not say deposed."

Later, Saddam stood, smiling, and exchanged greetings with other defendants during a break in the proceedings. He then asked to step out of the room, but when two guards tried to grab his arms to escort him out, he angrily shook them off.

The guards, wearing blue bulletproof vests, tried to grab him again, and Saddam struggled to free himself. Saddam and the guards shoved each other and yelled for about a minute. In the end, he was allowed to walk independently out of the room, with the two guards behind him.

The three-hour session ended with Amin announcing an adjournment until Nov. 28.
Page: 12345



Baby 81
Saddam on trial Wednesday
Rumsfeld in town to discuss military exchanges
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Premier: GDP to exceed US$1.85 trillion in 2005

 

   
 

Oil price impact on China's economy 'limited'

 

   
 

Wolfowitz: China no threat to the world

 

   
 

China's defence spending 'not a lot'

 

   
 

2,600 birds dead of bird flu in China

 

   
 

Court delays CNPC bid for PetroKazakhstan

 

   
  Saddam pleads innocent, gets into scuffle
   
  Wilma lashes Caribbean coastlines; 13 die
   
  Earthquake death toll rises to 79,000
   
  Iraq arrests Saddam's nephew in Baghdad
   
  Annan appeals for urgent help for Pakistan's quake survivors
   
  Google drops 'Gmail' name in Britain
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Saddam's judge is longtime Kurdish lawyer
   
Saddam pleads innocent, gets into scuffle
   
Saddam goes on trial for 1982 massacre
   
Saddam faces court amid questions over trial
   
Two mortar rounds hit Baghdad Green Zone ahead of Saddam trial
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement