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Iraq
At the hearings next week, 'Chemical Ali' will come first
By Associated Press
Published December 16, 2004
BAGHDAD - The ex-Iraqi general known as "Chemical Ali," accused of using chemical weapons attacks to kill thousands of Kurds, will be the first detained former Saddam Hussein regime figure to stand trial next week, a government official said Wednesday.
Ali Hasan al-Majid, a cousin of Hussein's, is accused of ordering the 1988 Halabja chemical weapons attacks against Kurds, which killed about 5,000; the 1990 invasion of Kuwait; and suppressing a 1991 Shiite uprising in southern Iraq.
He is among 12 regime members including Hussein who are waiting to face trial.
The hearings next week will open the first part of the trials, the investigative phase, in which the defendants will be questioned by an investigative judge, the Special Iraq Court, which is conducting the trials, said in a statement.
It did not specify what day the hearings will begin.
"All those who will be interrogated have received legal counseling from their lawyers, who have met them. The defense lawyers will accompany the defendants," the statement said. The investigative judges will be led by judge Raed Johyee, it said.
The whole group will be tried and the first to be tried is Ali Hassan al-Majid, the Associated Press and other media outlets reported, quoting a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said Hussein will also face trial but did not say when.
Majid was No. 2 on the U.S. military's list of 55 most wanted former Iraqi leaders at the time of the invasion. He was captured Aug. 21, 2003, and arraigned July 1 in Baghdad.
On Tuesday, Iraq's interim Prime Minister Allawi announced Iraq will bring top figures of Hussein's ousted regime to court next week for the first time since they appeared before a judge five months ago, and formal indictments could be issued next month.
[Last modified December 16, 2004, 00:09:15]
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