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Hussein, 11 Others To Be Formally Charged


(file photo) 1 July 2004 -- An Iraqi tribunal in Baghdad is due today to charge formally deposed President Saddam Hussein for crimes committed during his more than 20 years in power.

Yesterday, the United States transferred Hussein and 11 of his former deputies to the legal custody of the country's new sovereign government. All 12 are expected to remain in the physical custody of U.S. forces until Iraqi forces are capable of detaining them securely.

Iraqi officials have said Hussein -- who was captured by U.S. forces last December -- is likely to face war crimes charges in connection with the 1988 chemical weapons attack on Kurds, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and the 1980-88 war with Iran.

The first trials are not expected to begin for several months.

(Reuters/AFP/AP)

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