Transcript: Saddam Hussein Court Hearing

Number two, you summoned me to levy charges -- no, I -- you call it crimes.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The investigative judge -- if there is evidence, then I'll defer it to a court of jurisdiction.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Let me understand something. Who is the defendant? Any defendant when he comes to a court, before that there should be investigation.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is not a court. This is investigation. This is investigation now.

Let me clarify this point. Then I hope that you remember you are a judge empowered by the people. It doesn't really matter whether you convict me or not; that's not what's important. But what is important is that you remember that you're a judge. Then don't mention anything occupying forces. This is not good.

Then judge in the name of people. Then that's good. Then judge in the name of people. This is the Iraqi way.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Mr. Saddam, this is an investigative process before.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): From the legal standpoint, you were notified that I have lawyers, right? Am I not supposed to meet with the lawyers before I come before you?

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): If you give me just 10 minutes, let's finish the formalities and I'll come to that. Then if you wait, then you will see that you have rights that are guaranteed. OK. Go ahead.

According to the law, Mr. Saddam, the investigative judge has to give the defendant the charges that are levied against him. And then reading the rights of all the charges according to the law, Article 123, 124 and 125.

The first step is, these articles, were they not signed by Saddam Hussein? Yes, this is the law that was in '73. So then Saddam Hussein was representing the leadership and signed that law. So now you are using the law that Saddam signed against Saddam. Saddam was the people.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Please, the constitution mechanism -- I'm not a lawyer but I understand -- I am originally a man of law. Is it allowed to call a president elected by the people and charge him according to a law that was enacted under his will and the will of the people?

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): There is some contradiction. No.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The judicial process -- let me answer this clarification -- first, I'm not deliberating a case against you, I'm investigating, interrogating you.

Second, the president is a profession, is a position, is a deputy of the society. That's true. And originally, inherently, he's a citizen. And every citizen, according to the law in the constitution, if this person violates a law has to come before the law. And that law you know more than I do.

(AUDIO GAP AT SOURCE)

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So the crimes, the charges: intended killing by using chemical weapons in Halabjah.