27-07-2010, 01:22 AM
Quote:Critics, including Saddam's legal counsel Khalil al-Dulaimi, alleged that American officials had a heavy influence on the court.[55]
In a statement, Khalil said, "this court is a creature of the US military occupation, and the Iraqi court is just a tool and rubber stamp of the invaders."[56]
Khalil al-Dulaimi and various international commentators alleged that the date on which the verdict was read live to the world, 5 November 2006, was deliberately selected by the Bush Administration in order to influence the US midterm elections which occurred two days later. This has been called a November Surprise.[56][57]
The verdict was expected to be on 16 October 2006, but was postponed to consider recalling some of the witnesses.[58]
Even as the verdict was released verbally on 5 November, the written, final verdict was not released until days later.[59]
The television link of the trial was provided by a US company which frequently edited out the sound of what Saddam and other defendants said, and sometimes edited the video as well.[60]
Some witnesses were told by court staff what to say.[61]
Judges were replaced numerous times, reportedly because of "leniency" towards the defence.[61]
All defence lawyers who questioned the court's legitimacy were ejected.[61]
A defence lawyer who showed images of US torture was ejected.[61]
Witnesses claimed to be forced or tortured to testify.[61]
Evidence was allegedly forged in numerous circumstances.[61]
Numerous witnesses' statements claimed the accused's innocence.[61]
An unidentified witness claimed chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi offered him $500 to give false evidence and said his family was threatened.[61]
Three witnesses told the court people allegedly killed by Saddam in Dujail are actually alive.[61]
A defense lawyer was abducted and killed.[61]
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