[JURIST] A group of former international political leaders supporting the defense of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] called Tuesday for a UN investigation into last week's kidnapping and murder of Saadoun Sughaiyer al-Janabi [JURIST report], a lawyer representing one of Hussein's co-defendants. In a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former Algerian president Ahmed Ben Bella, former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, French former foreign minister Roland Dumas and former US attorney general Ramsey Clark said a US-led investigation into the crime would lack credibility. Defense counsel involved with Hussein's trial [JURIST news archive] have also requested UN protection in the aftermath of the killing. Middle East Online has local coverage. AFP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Saddam lawyers threaten to boycott trial
• Iraqi government promises heightened security for Saddam trial lawyers
• Saddam defense team demands delay or foreign trial venue after lawyer murder
• BREAKING NEWS ~ Kidnapped Saddam trial lawyer found dead
• BREAKING NEWS ~ Saddam lawyer kidnapped in Bagdad