Raouf Rasheed Abdel-Rahman has been named the new chief judge in the trial of Saddam Hussein. Abdel-Rahman, a Kurd, replaces Rizgar Mohammed Amin who resigned on January 15 amid security concerns and charges that he was too lenient with Saddam and his co-defendants.
Abdel-Rahman has been named chief judge on an interim basis.
The trial has been a difficult one. Two defense lawyers have been murdered for their involvement in the trial and another defense attorney stepped down. Many defense attorneys and judges have claimed they have not received adequate security. Many witnesses have refused to show their faces on camera for fear of their safety. In addition, the identity of the other four judges on the panel besides the chief judge has not been made public.
Hussein and seven co-defendants are accused of carrying out a massacre in the city of Dujail in 1982 shortly after an unsuccessful coup attempt against Saddam.
In addition to security concerns, the trial has been disrupted by outbursts by Saddam and other defendants who have been allowed to make long speeches against the legitimacy of the court and other issues.
