Shia named new chief judge in Saddam trial
Said al-Hammashi, a member of the five-judge Iraqi panel trying Saddam Hussein, will replace the chief judge who has resigned when the trial resumes, the main prosecutor in the case said yesterday.
"At the next hearing on January 24, Said al-Hammashi will be the chief judge of the trial as he is the oldest of the five judges," said Jaafar al-Mussawi.
Hammashi, a Shia, will only hold the post on a temporary basis until the judges at the Iraqi High Tribunal elect a new permanent replacement for Rizkar Mohammed Amin he told AFP.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "The election should happen in about one month," Mussawi said.
He was unable to say whether Amin would remain on the panel of judges at the trial of Saddam and seven former aides.
Amin, a Kurd, tendered his resignation more than a week ago because of strong criticism of his way of running the court, an official close to him had said at the weekend.
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