Saddam Says He's Been Beaten in Detention

[Nebraska Red]

By MARIAM FAM, Associated Press Writer

1 minute ago

 

Poor Old Saddam

 

 

 

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein launched into an extended outburst at his trial Wednesday, alleging he had been "beaten and tortured by Americans" while in detention after a witness testified that his agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin.

 

 

 

 

The trial's chief prosecutor said that if American-led multinational forces were abusing the former Iraqi leader, he would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.

 

"Yes, I have been beaten, everywhere on my body. The marks are still there," Saddam told the court after sitting quietly listening to testimony. "And I'm not complaining about the Americans because I can poke their eyes with my own hands."

 

Saddam said other co-defendants ? his half brother, Barazan Ibrahim, and Taha Yassin Ramadan, a former vice president ? were beaten by their American captors.

 

"Yes, we have all been beaten and tortured by Americans," Saddam said.

 

Some of the exchange was edited out of the televised feed of the trial.

 

Standing in the fenced-in defendant's area, Saddam complained at length about the conditions of his detention, engaging in a debate with the chief prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi.

 

Saddam also told the court that he knew the name of the person who betrayed his hiding place when U.S. forces found him in December 2003.

 

Earlier, Saddam sat quietly as a witness testified that his regime killed and tortured people by administering electric shocks and ripping off their skin after pouring molten plastic on it.

 

 

I really have no idea why this thing has been allowed to go to a trial. It's more like a soap opera than a criminal proceeding.

[Stevie H]

This post is not viewable to guests.

You can sign in to your account at the login page here

If you do not have an account then you can register here

[cymrococh]

This post is not viewable to guests.

You can sign in to your account at the login page here

If you do not have an account then you can register here

[The Hitman]

This post is not viewable to guests.

You can sign in to your account at the login page here

If you do not have an account then you can register here

[R A Softlad]

This post is not viewable to guests.

You can sign in to your account at the login page here

If you do not have an account then you can register here