Saddam slams Interior Ministry

BAGHDAD – Saddam Hussein returned to court yesterday and immediately accused the Interior Ministry of killing and torturing thousands of Iraqis, remarks likely to inflame sectarian tensions.

The toppled leader, who could face a death sentence, remained defiant one day after the court announced that he would face new charges of genocide against the ethnic Kurdish population in the late 1980s. He could face another trial as early as next month, potentially leading to a drawn-out legal process.Saddam refused to sign documents, saying that only an international court would be fair, and denounced the Interior Ministry as he faced cross examination for the first time.”It’s the side that kills thousands in the street and tortures them …,” he said, criticising the Shi’ite-run ministry, which is accused of running death squads by the Sunni Arabs who were dominant when Saddam ruled Iraq.When the judge interrupted him, Saddam said: “If you’re scared of the Interior Minister, he doesn’t scare my dog.”Interior Minister Bayan Jabor is a hate figure among Sunnis, who accuse him of waging a sectarian war against them and allowing Shi’ite militias to run hit squads with impunity.He denies the accusations.Saddam was the only defendant in the chamber, which he has dominated with tirades questioning the court’s legitimacy and urging Iraqis to rise up against US occupation troops.- Nampa-ReutersHe could face another trial as early as next month, potentially leading to a drawn-out legal process.Saddam refused to sign documents, saying that only an international court would be fair, and denounced the Interior Ministry as he faced cross examination for the first time.”It’s the side that kills thousands in the street and tortures them …,” he said, criticising the Shi’ite-run ministry, which is accused of running death squads by the Sunni Arabs who were dominant when Saddam ruled Iraq.When the judge interrupted him, Saddam said: “If you’re scared of the Interior Minister, he doesn’t scare my dog.”Interior Minister Bayan Jabor is a hate figure among Sunnis, who accuse him of waging a sectarian war against them and allowing Shi’ite militias to run hit squads with impunity.He denies the accusations.Saddam was the only defendant in the chamber, which he has dominated with tirades questioning the court’s legitimacy and urging Iraqis to rise up against US occupation troops.- Nampa-Reuters