British QC for Saddam

Duncan Campbell
Friday October 14, 2005
The Guardian [article in full]

Saddam Hussein's family have chosen one of Britain's best-known barristers to defend the former Iraqi dictator at his trial for mass murder which is due to start in Baghdad next week.


Anthony Scrivener QC, a former chairman of the Bar Council, has been asked to go to Iraq to head the defence in what will be one of the most closely watched trials of recent times.

The approach to Mr Scrivener, whose high-profile clients have included Dame Shirley Porter, Asil Nadir, Winston Silcott and Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four, was made on behalf of Saddam's daughter, Raghad Saddam Hussein.

Saddam himself is said to be in "upbeat" mood about the trial. Mr Scrivener's clerk, Martin Hart, confirmed last night that the QC had been asked to represent Saddam. "Mr Scrivener has been approached to lead a legal team to challenge the lawfulness of the tribunal trying Saddam Hussein," said a statement issued by his chambers. Mr Hart stressed that no final agreement had been made.


One of the most historic trials in modern history or show trial for the masses

 

Somehow, I don't think he'll get away with it, but Milsovich won one, didn't he? so i guess anything's possible.
Too bad Johnny Cochran's dead, eh?

 

I am wondering how long i will last till i scream ''Put a bullet in his head''. It could be monumentaly dull.

 

I think that the gas chamber would be more appropriate.

 

I thought his old buddy Rummy might defend him. He sure did back in the 80s.

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funny guy

 

I'll try to dig up an old cartoon in the NYTimes. It shows Saddam behind bars in a cell just after he was captured in Iraq. Rumsfeld walks into the room and Saddam with a big smile on his face blurts out, "RUMMY!!!!!!"

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Please don't [no offence]... Why do you wish to mock this ?... Not that i can't work it out for myself, but just wondering with out putting words in your mouth ..WHY.

Please atleast be serious for about 3 minutes when posting a reply [if you do] thanks

 

I think exile..is more likely.

 

The right wing lacks a sense of humor.

Take it easy, Matthew. You've been like the little bird on the back of the rhino that pecks, pecks, and pecks around here. I haven't bothered you about it.

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I was just thinking a thread with out that type of 'humour' would be nice for a while.. I have a sense of humour.. but just thinking you could offer some of your thought with out it.. You have bothered me, wich is nice...thanks [not being sarcastic].

 

Well, it's a hippie forum afterall. We can't expect most here to be praising the establishment. I still like your posts, though.

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True...you don't have to praise the establishment though [why change a habit of a lifetime] <---- see i do have a sense of humour.

''One of the most historic trials in modern history or show trial for the masses''

How about just viewing it as a question ?

 

There's been very little coverage of the Saddam trial in the video media here in the U.S., so I don't really know much about it, from those sources anyway. However, there's non-stop coverage of things like the Scott Peterson trial, the Michael Jackson trial, the Robert Blake trial, the trial of the basketball player that supposedly raped that woman at the hotel, and so on. I hear more about Saddam's trial on Euronews, the BBC, etc. But even they don't talk about it much. The printed material is always better than video news.

I don't think Saddam's trial will be historic in the eyes of the U.S. He's a has-been now. People have other things to be concerned about over there, like who the next Saddam might be if no one gets a handle on the security situation over there. I'm sure the trial is much more important to Iraqis and others who lost relatives because of him.

If he had gone on trial in the 80s when he was at his worst, people around the world would have taken more notice of his trial.

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Thanks..

I think the coverage will increase as the trial is being televised ... I guess there is not much to cover at the moment.

exile death or prison ?.

 

I'm not sure if anyone here in the U.S. will televise it. I don't know much right now about how his punishment would be given out. It depends on who is controlling this in the U.S. or Iraq. I doubt exile.

It's a double edge sword here in the U.S. The government would like to ride the bandwagon on his trial and punishment but they know that others know the U.S. was deeply connected with him in the 80s. Note that the U.S. sent doves like Rice and Powell to visit the gravesites. No one wanted Rummy associated with that scene. Bush hasn't made many references to the trial either, or at least I haven't heard him make many.

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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/3396640

are you kidding..it will be a advertising goldmine

 

No goldmine here in the U.S. I mentioned previously what kind of trials sell here in the U.S.

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If Saddam was a football player who committed a murder, there would be non-stop coverage of it in the U.S.

Maybe Court TV will cover it?

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You probably have a point sadly...Though the media won't ignore it...we will have to see.