Judgement Day For Saddam Hussein

Judgement Day - NOV-5-2006 - Served up right on time and on schedule before the Tuesday U.S. elections.

(BAGHDAD) Saddam Hussein faces a likely death sentence on Sunday amidst fears that the verdict could provoke violent reprisals from his remaining Sunni Arab supporters. [No kidding...]

As a precaution, Iraq has cancelled all military leave and put the country’s forces on alert to thwart any outbreak of violence. Saddam’s end appears to have come near with the verdict expected to be a death sentence. None other than Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki himself has hinted that Saddam would be executed.

But not so fast...

Maliki might have jumped the gun, but few would indeed bet on anything other than a death sentence. In the first of several probes into the brutal excesses of Saddam’s 24-year reign, he stands accused of ordering the destruction of the Shia community of Dujail.

Ironically, his execution may come about just as his support makes a faint revival among a Sunni minority. A Saddam comeback is unthinkable, but Maliki’s government is taking no chances. “If a verdict of execution is final, it will be implemented within 30 days,” said the tribunal’s chief prosecutor, Musawi.

There would be an appeal, which would begin within 30 days of Sunday’s expected verdict, and take “two weeks or two months”. Some hope that the execution would then be put on hold until Saddam is judged in another trial.

The death verdict would mean more trouble for Iraq, said Saddam’s lead lawyer in an open letter to President Bush demanding the verdict be postponed." [What more trouble can Iraq possibly be in for? The withdrawal of U.S. Forces ?? ]

[Hat Tip: Daily Times ]

Tags: world-news, middle-east, politics, iraq, zz