Iraqi Premier: Speed Up Hussein Trial

16 August 2004 -- Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi urged an Iraqi court today to speed up proceedings against toppled dictator Saddam Hussein and his close aides.

Allawi said his U.S.-backed government will do all it can to ensure the men get a fair trial.

Hussein, overthrown in the U.S.-led invasion last year, was arraigned before a U.S.-appointed judge on 1 July and charged with crimes against humanity.

Several of his top aides also appeared separately before the same judge for their arraignment. Pending a trial, they are being held in a secret location by U.S. forces under Iraqi jurisdiction.

(Reuters)

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