Prosecutors in the trial of Saddam Hussein played a recording on Monday said to be of a phone conversation in which the ousted Iraqi leader agreed to ”change the social reality” in the Shia town of Dujail.
The alleged phone call related to a crackdown launched in Dujail after Saddam’s motorcade was shot at in July 1982. Hundreds of people were arrested in the sweep, some allegedly tortured, and 148 were killed.
On the tape, Taha Yassin Ramadan, a former vice-president and a co-defendant in the trial, allegedly said ”suspicious elements” in Dujail would be moved out and ”replacements” brought in. A voice said to be that of Saddam asked a few questions then replied: ”Fine, goodnight.”
Dujail was a centre of opposition to the Ba’athist regime at the time and the 1982 assassination attempt was carried out by the Dawa party, whose deputy leader has just been nominated for the post of Iraqi prime minister. The recording was of poor quality and prosecutors did not explain how they had obtained it.
The court also heard that signatures on documents linking Saddam and six of his co-accused to the 1982 killings in Dujail match those of the former Iraqi president. A report from handwriting experts read out at the trial said: ”The signatures and margins stipulated in the documents match the signature of Saddam Hussein on presidential decrees.”
Defence lawyers demanded 45 days to study the evidence before commenting. The trial was adjourned until May 15 to give the defence time to present their witnesses in the next session.
Seven car bombs exploded across the Iraqi capital on Monday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens, as politicians met to try to finalise a new Cabinet. Police discovered bodies of 20 Iraqis — apparent victims of sectarian killings.
Elsewhere, in Baghdad and other areas, three roadside bombs, five drive-by shootings and a mortar round killed a total of 12 Iraqis, police said.
The violence underlines the challenges the prime minister-designate, Jawad al-Maliki, faces as he begins assembling a government from Iraq’s Shia, Sunni and Kurdish parties. Maliki has four weeks to choose a Cabinet and form a government of national unity. His decision must then be ratified by Parliament. A test of Maliki’s ability to lead and to unite the rival elements will be his choice of interior minister — perhaps the most sensitive post, given the security situation. – Guardian Unlimited Â