[JURIST] Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, facing charges of crimes against humanity, was denied permission late last week to stand trial or serve his sentence in Sweden. Swedish Justice Ministry director Ann Marie Bolin Pennegaard told AFP that the request for Saddam to await trial, stand trial or serve his sentence in Sweden [JURIST report], made by Hussein's lawyer Giovanni di Stefano [Wikipedia profile], was turned down by the Swedish government Friday. In a fax to Di Stefano, Pennegard wrote in part that there was "no possibility under present Swedish legislation . . . to let Saddam Hussein serve any possible sentence in a Swedish prison after his trial." Di Stefano had argued that the venue should be changed from Iraq to a more stable country. Hussein recently voiced criticisms [JURIST report] about the amount of time he is able to consult with his attorneys and the interactions he has with judges during interrogation sessions. AFP has more.