Search for justice in Saddam trial

By Yo Takatsuki
BBC World Service reporter, Suleimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan

Despite facing death threats in court from Saddam Hussein, the chief prosecutor in the former Iraqi leader's trial believes that justice will bring peace to the violence-stricken country.

Saddam Hussein's trial is a part of human history, Mr Firaun says

The former Iraqi leader was found guilty and sentenced to death earlier this month for the killing of 148 Shias in 1982 but now a second trial has resumed.

A second trial concerns Saddam Hussein's role in the killing of Kurds during the notorious Anfal campaign in which thousands perished.

Munquith Takleef al-Firaun heads the team of prosecution lawyers.

Mr Firaun was on the team of prosecutors in the first trial and that is when Saddam gave him the chilling warning.

Death threats

"I was threatened in the courtroom by Saddam Hussein. He said he would follow me inside and outside the court," said Mr Firaun in his first interview.

"I was also threatened by one of his co-defendants, Hussein Rashid. His exact words were: "Where will you escape from us?""

"Also, my family and I have received threatening letters - even our most distant relatives have been threatened - just because I am trying to carry out justice."

Mr Firaun is in the northern Iraqi city of Suleimaniya with fellow prosecutors, defence lawyers and the trial judges, visiting the sites where it is alleged that the atrocities happened.

The dusty mountains that overlook the city saw some of the most horrific events of Saddam Hussein's rule.

Kurdish villages in the region were attacked with chemical weapons.

During the Anfal campaign, which lasted through much of the 1980s, Kurds suffered constant bombardments which led to the deaths of over 100,000 people.

Human history

Mr Firaun says that although Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death already, it is important that he faces trial for the charges of mass killing and crimes against humanity.

Kurdish villages were attacked near Suleimaniya with chemical weapons

"The co-defendants in Saddam Hussein's first trial are different from the defendants in this trial. Saddam's statements are a key part of the evidence and his presence in the court is very important. This isn't just a trial, this is part of human history," Mr Firaun said.

He adds that even if the former Iraqi leader is executed before the end of the second trial, the case against his co-defendants must still be completed in the interests of justice.

Paradoxically, the self-governing Kurdish region in the north of Iraq is enjoying relative peace and stability now while the rest of the country is suffering from daily bombings and attacks.

Mr Firaun believes that the violence in Iraq may calm down once the death sentence against Saddam Hussein has been carried out.

Created divisions

"I can only give you my personal view, but it should put an end to the violence because the former regime's intelligence and security people are behind much of the trouble that Iraq faces," he said.

The crime was a crime against humanity. The position I have as a prosecutor deserves sacrifice. If you have to pay the price, you will not be forgotten by history Munquith Takleef al-Firaun Questions over Saddam trial justice

"They are hoping that Saddam will come back. They think they will be rewarded for what they have done like before. They think they will get bravery medals from Saddam personally.

"So when they realise that Saddam isn't going to be released, a major incentive to carry on with the campaign will disappear.

"The different communities of Iraq - the Shias, the Sunnis and the Kurds - have lived together for a long time without violence.

"The media tends to describe the killings as sectarian violence, but in many cases it is the former regime which is behind it. This is not a sectarian war. The divisions are being deliberately created."

It's hoped that convicting Saddam Hussein in the Anfal trial will pull the curtain down on a painful saga for the Kurds, who suffered without any intervention from the international community.

Suleimaniya itself is said to have been dubbed the "the head of the snake" by the former Iraqi leader, who saw the city as the symbol of Kurdish resistance.

Mr Firaun hopes that a conviction will send a strong message to all of the world's leaders.

"I want this trial to be an example for every ruler who thinks he is above the law. No matter how long he rules, the law is stronger and will win," he said.

Despite threats against him, he says the fight for justice is more important that his own life.

"The crime was a crime against humanity. The position I have as a prosecutor deserves sacrifice. If you have to pay the price, you will not be forgotten by history."