SADDAM HUSSEIN has suffered a minor stroke, his lawyers claimed today. And they said the former Iraqi dictator could die before he stands trial.
| Is it a minor stroke or is he in danger of croaking? |
The multi-national legal team is still waiting for permission to see Saddam, but said they had information from the Red Cross that his health had deteriorated. Earlier this month, Saddam appeared in an Iraqi courtroom, when he was read seven charges against him that may lead to a formal indictment for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
| Isn't that always the way? Genocidal, megalomanical dictator goes on for decades wrecking people and countries, picture of health, swims the Tigris, impeccably tailored, and then -- WHAM -- he's caught, and a matter of months he's a drooling, slovenly vegetable. See Slobodan for details. |
Jordanian lawyer Mohammed al-Rashdan has written to Salem Chalebi, head of the Iraqi prosecuting authorities, on behalf of the defence team, demanding access to their client. He said: "Our information is he's in very poor heath. We understand our client has had a brain scan to discover how badly he has been affected by the stroke. We believe he could die because of his health problems."
| Now where did I put that violin? |
Mr al-Rashdan said the lawyers' attempts to see Saddam had so far been blocked. And he speculated Saddam's health could get much worse if a trial was not held soon. "We believe any trial could be months, if not years, away," he said. |