Iraqi prime minister: Saddam to face charges in Iraqi court this week

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein will be transferred to Iraqi legal custody and face charges in an Iraqi court this week — but he won't go on trial for months and he will stay in a U.S.-run jail because the country doesn't have a suitable prison, the prime minister said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Iyad Allawi promised an open proceeding when Saddam faces war crimes charges, including genocide.

Eleven other "high-value detainees" also are expected to face justice, he said at his first news conference since the U.S.-led coalition handed over sovereignty to his government Monday.

"I know I speak for my fellow countrymen when I say I look forward to the day former regime leaders face justice," he said.

Saddam will be transferred to Iraqi legal custody on Wednesday and face arraignment before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, Allawi said. Soon after the end of the press conference, Iraqi authorities announced arrest warrants for Saddam and the 11 others, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.

During the news conference, Allawi was asked whether his Cabinet had finalized plans for emergency rule as have been proposed publicly by a number of officials since the interim administration was announced June 1.

"We will tell you about those procedures later — maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," he said. "We will tell you about those procedures that were adopted by the Cabinet."

Government officials have not spelled out what measures might be imposed. However, Iraqi media have speculated that they might include special rules for searches, detentions and curfews in specific areas of the country where insurgent activity is strong.

The trials for Saddam and the 11 others will not occur for months, and he urged the Iraqi people to be patient. He acknowledged that more than 1 million Iraqis are missing as a result of events that occurred during the former regime — and that many Iraqis want justice done.

But he insisted that Saddam must receive a "just trial, a fair trial."

Allawi did not identify any other defendants due to be handed over.

However, a Saudi Web site, Elaph.com, quoted Iraqi sources as saying the list includes Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali"; former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan; former deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz; and two of Saddam's half-brothers.