Saddam judge flees to seek asylum in UK
by GWYNETH REES
17th March 2007
The Iraqi judge who sentenced Saddam Hussein to death has fled to seek asylum in Britain.
Raouf Abdel-Rahman, who headed the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal, arrived in Britain with his family on a visitor's visa in mid-December.
It is thought he then applied for political asylum because of fears for his safety. He is under close protection while the application is considered.
The Home Office refused to comment on the report but Nasir al-Badri, a London correspondent for Al Jazeera television, said official British sources had confirmed the application.
The 65-year-old judge, who has two sons and a daughter, took over Saddam's trial in January 2006. His predecessor had resigned, complaining about pressure from the Iraqi government.
Judge Abdel-Rahman swiftly imposed his will, ejecting unruly defendants and silencing lawyers who he felt were wasting time.
He sentenced Saddam to hang after he was found guilty of crimes against humanity. Two of his top aides were also sentenced to death.
During the trial, another judge and a defence lawyer were murdered. Judge Abdel-Rahman is an Iraqi Kurd from the town of Halabja, where in 1988 a chemical weapons attack ordered by Saddam killed 5,000 people, including some of the judge's relatives.
His arrival presents the Government with a diplomatic dilemma as Ministers try to paint a picture of Iraq as safe.
Dashty Jamal, of the International federation of Iraqi Refugees, said: "This proves the Iraqi Government is unable to protect anyone and is not representing the Iraqi people."
Anyone claiming asylum in the UK must be able to demonstrate that he or she has a "well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion".
If asylum cannot be granted, officials can grant humanitarian protection which allows applicants to live in Britain for five years.
dailymail.co.uk
by GWYNETH REES
17th March 2007
The Iraqi judge who sentenced Saddam Hussein to death has fled to seek asylum in Britain.
Raouf Abdel-Rahman, who headed the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal, arrived in Britain with his family on a visitor's visa in mid-December.
It is thought he then applied for political asylum because of fears for his safety. He is under close protection while the application is considered.
The Home Office refused to comment on the report but Nasir al-Badri, a London correspondent for Al Jazeera television, said official British sources had confirmed the application.
The 65-year-old judge, who has two sons and a daughter, took over Saddam's trial in January 2006. His predecessor had resigned, complaining about pressure from the Iraqi government.
Judge Abdel-Rahman swiftly imposed his will, ejecting unruly defendants and silencing lawyers who he felt were wasting time.
He sentenced Saddam to hang after he was found guilty of crimes against humanity. Two of his top aides were also sentenced to death.
During the trial, another judge and a defence lawyer were murdered. Judge Abdel-Rahman is an Iraqi Kurd from the town of Halabja, where in 1988 a chemical weapons attack ordered by Saddam killed 5,000 people, including some of the judge's relatives.
His arrival presents the Government with a diplomatic dilemma as Ministers try to paint a picture of Iraq as safe.
Dashty Jamal, of the International federation of Iraqi Refugees, said: "This proves the Iraqi Government is unable to protect anyone and is not representing the Iraqi people."
Anyone claiming asylum in the UK must be able to demonstrate that he or she has a "well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion".
If asylum cannot be granted, officials can grant humanitarian protection which allows applicants to live in Britain for five years.
dailymail.co.uk
