[JURIST] A top official at the US Department of Justice's Regime Crimes Liaison Office in Baghdad has suggested that the current trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] could end as early as June, with further trial proceedings to commence thereafter. Kevin P. Dooley [DOJ press release] told reporters that if all goes smoothly, further indictments should be served against Hussein in upcoming months for the 1988 ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kurds [BBC backgrounder], and suggested that if Hussein and his co-defendants are found guilty for the charges they currently face, the appeals process may be drawn out so that Hussein may be stand trial for all pending charges [JURIST report]. Hussein and his co-defendants are charged with murder, torture, forced expulsions and illegal imprisonment stemming from the 1982 massacre in Dujail [JURIST report] and could face the death penalty if found guilty by the Iraqi High Criminal Court (formerly the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website]). Trial proceedings are currently adjourned and will resume on January 24 [JURIST report]. AFP has more.