Saddam returns to court in Kurdish genocide trial News
Saddam returns to court in Kurdish genocide trial

[JURIST] The trial of Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] and six co-defendants on genocide and crimes against humanity charges related to the so-called "Anfal" operation [HRW backgrounder], which led to the killings of as many as 180,000 Kurds in northern Iraq in the 1980s, resumed in Baghdad Monday with the testimony of a former Kurdish guerrilla who described the aftermath of the chemical weapons bombing campaign. Hussein and his co-defendants are all charged with crimes against humanity [JURIST report] and Hussein and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid [BBC profile], known as "Chemical Ali," also face more serious charges of genocide. In August, Kurdish witnesses testified about the alleged Anfal gas attack [JURIST report], when they described two planes flying over two Kurdish villages dropping chemical weapons on the villagers and said that many people were blinded in the attacks, though defense lawyers say the witnesses were coached. During Monday's session, Hussein insisted that Kurds had recognized rights under his regime, and that he had only retaliated against insurgents. Hussein also said that Iraqis "should not suffer from the guilt that they killed Kurds."

Hussein also is currently awaiting a verdict in the Dujail crimes against humanity case [JURIST report], which is expected on October 16. He is eligible for the death penalty [JURIST report] in the Dujail case, and a US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the Anfal trial could continue posthumously [JURIST report] should Hussein be executed before proceedings in the second trial conclude. BBC News has more. AP has additional coverage.


THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.