IRAQ: SADDAM TO GET DEATH SENTENCE, JUDGE

March 31, 2005: an Iraqi judge on the court that will try Saddam Hussein said the former Iraqi dictator committed many crimes and likely will be sentenced to death.
The judge, who requested anonymity, was quoted in the Saudi daily al-Madina as saying the former dictator's interrogation was complete and more than 40 homicide charges will be filed.
He said the charges included killing political rivals and dissidents in the Baath party with his own hands, and committing genocide and other crimes against the Kurds in northern Iraq and against Shiites in south and central Iraq.
"There also are some 300 charges on wasting national wealth, corruption, occupation, organizing terrorist action against Iraq's neighbors and bribing officials and diplomats implementing UN resolutions in Iraq.
He said Saddam bared direct responsibility for the killing of 91,000 Iraqis, including 6,000 Kurds, and likely will be sentenced to death if convicted. (Sources: united press international, 31/03/2005)