The
BBC is reporting through an Iraqi government spokesman that Hussein will only face 12 charges of a possible 500. The trial is scheduled to begin in two months.
A spokesman said the 12 charges of crimes against humanity were fully documented and there was no point "wasting time" dealing with all 500.
"Wasting time". I understand how courts work and that it is sometimes necessary to try a defendant on specific charges that seem most likely to garner a conviction, however, I feel the choice of words "wasting time" is extremely unfortunate and is a slap in the face to his many victims. Surely, the spokesperson could have been more sensitive.
The rest of the spokeperson's comments ought to have been sufficient in order to explain the situation:
Government spokesman Leith Kubba said on Sunday: "We are completely confident that the 12 fully documented charges that have been brought against him are more than sufficient to ensure he receives the maximum sentence."
Saddam Hussein, who was ousted by US-led forces and captured in December 2003, faces the death penalty if convicted.
Speaking on the shortened charges, Mr Kubba said: "The position of the government is to speed up the trial."
Some of the charges Saddam Hussein will face will concern the chemical attack on the Kurdish village of Halabja in 1988, the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the repression of Shias in 1991.
According to a Hussein spokesman, proper legal channels were not followed to this point:
Issam Ghazawi, a spokesman for Saddam Hussein's legal team, criticised Mr Kubba's comments.
"The appropriate channel is for the accusations to come through the court and for the lawyers to receive a copy of the indictment," he said.
Mr Ghazawi also said: It's illegal to issue charges against the Iraqi president this way.
I don't know all of the legal wrangling going on here or how this might affect the case. All I hope is that this is all being done beyond reproach and with utmost respect for the victims.