Saddam Hussein Genocide Trial Opens

Hussein addressing the court in March in the Al-Dujayl trial (epa) August 21, 2006 -- The Iraqi High Tribunal has opened a second trial of Saddam Hussein, this time for alleged genocide and war crimes against Kurds in northern Iraq.

Presiding Judge Abdullah Ali Hussein al-Amiri read the indictment to Hussein at the opening session.

"Defendant Saddam Hussein, you have been referred to this court by the investigating magistrate to be tried on three counts: genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes," al-Amiri said. "Guilty or not guilty?"

Hussein refused to enter a plea, calling the tribunal a "court of occupation." The judge then entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of the former Iraqi leader.

The former Iraqi president and six other defendants are charged for their alleged roles in the 1987-88 Al-Anfal, or Spoils of War, operation. The codefendants include Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, widely known as "Chemical Ali" for allegedly ordering poison-gas attacks.

Iraqi forces are accused of carrying out poison-gas attacks as part of the Al-Anfal offensives that killed an estimated 100,000 people and left entire Kurdish areas razed to the ground.

The crackdown was allegedly aimed at crushing Kurdish rebels and their supporters, whom Hussein accused of sympathizing with Iran in the Iran-Iraq war.

A verdict is expected in October in the tribunal's first trial of Hussein on charges of involvement in the killing of 148 Shi'a following a 1982 assassination attempt on Hussein in the town of Al-Dujayl.

(compiled from agency reports)