IRAQ: Saddam Hussein's trial resumes on Monday and witnesses will take the stand for the first time, which has international observers concerned after the murder of two defence lawyers. Witnesses, about 30 of whom were too scared to come to the opening of the trial on October 19th, will choose whether to give evidence from behind a screen or curtain, officials have said, with security now at a premium.
Within days of the trial getting under way last month, two defence lawyers were hunted down and killed and a third has since fled the country after persistent threats, prompting some parties to call for the trial to be moved abroad. Those demands have been rejected by the Iraqi High Tribunal, the US-funded body trying Saddam and other members of his regime.
Lawyers for Saddam and his seven co-defendants, all charged with crimes against humanity in the deaths of 148 men following a failed attempt on Saddam's life in 1982, had threatened to boycott Monday's session if their security was not guaranteed.
Barring a successful defence motion for another delay, the trial is widely expected to proceed for at least three days. After that, with Iraqi elections set for December 15th, when security risks will be high, another postponement is expected. - (Reuters)