Transcript: Saddam Hussein Court Hearing

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): No.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Second, intended killing of a great number of Iraqis in 1983.

Three, intended killing of a number of members of political parties without trials.

Fourth, intended killing of many of the Iraqi religious people.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Fifth, intended killing of many Iraqis in Anfal (ph) without any evidence against it.

You have the right to defend and answer.

These are the guarantees.

Now we come to an important matter. You will have heard the court read the crimes that you're charged -- or were attributed to the accused, Saddam Hussein. And you were told what the articles of the law that apply to those cases. And the court has read to you the rights and the guarantees that any accused is entitled to, which includes the rights of defense and representation and also the right not to answer any question asked, and that will never be used as an evidence against the accused.

And the court also presented to the accused the right to argue the evidence.

The accused requested to meet with defense lawyers that are his private defense lawyers to be present with him in the investigative sessions. And in light of that, the minutes were concluded and the investigation is postponed until the accused is enabled to contact his representation, his lawyers, and another appointment for the next session will be decided.

Yes. The charges that were levied against Saddam Hussein -- go ahead. You should sign so that I can talk to -- OK. Let me sign.

(AUDIO GAP AT SOURCE)

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Allow me. The seventh charge was against Saddam Hussein as president of the republic and the commander in chief of the army.

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And the army went to Kuwait.

HUSSEIN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Even though this was not an invasion. Will the law judge Saddam Hussein because he defends Iraq?

JUDGE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): You are in a legal hearing and we will not allow you to speak in any way that is disrespectful to this court.

Saddam Hussein is the president of the Republic of Iraq, and the commander in chief of the armed forces that invaded Kuwait. So officially this is what it was.