[JURIST] A spokesman for the Iraqi Special Tribunal (IST) [official website] said Thursday that the trial of Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] is still set to begin on October 19, despite concerns that the trial may be postponed. Investigatory judge and IST spokesman Raad Jouhi also said Thursday that Hussein and seven others will appear in court next week [Reuters report] to face a five-man panel in Court 1 of the IST. Answering questions about whether Hussein would face the death penalty, Jouhi said that the trial "will be subject entirely to Iraqi laws" and that "Article 405 of the Iraqi criminal code, which relates to premeditated murder, makes provision for life in prison or for execution if the defendant is found guilty." Last month, Hussein's Iraqi lawyer attempted to delay the trial, but his request [JURIST report] was rejected [JURIST report]. Hussein will be tried for the 1982 massacre of Shiite Muslims at Dujail [NPR audio report], but other charges are pending. Reuters has more.