OMAGH FAMILIES' LAWYER NO LONGER REPRESENTING SADDAM HUSSEIN
Omagh Families' lawyer no longer representing Saddam Hussein
BY COLIN MCGARRIGLE
A Derry solicitor made famous for his legal prowess in the Bloody Sunday inquiry and in the Omagh bombing investigation is no longer part of the "trial of the century".
Des Doherty, based out of Derry, was asked to be a part of the legal team defending Saddam Hussein but has stated that his role is now complete.
"I had been asked to provide legal opinion with other international lawyers on the lawfulness of the Iraqi Special Tribunal. My professional input in that matter is now complete and at an end," said Doherty in a statement issued by his office.
The trial of Hussein, which started yesterday, is expected to be one of the biggest in legal history with TV pictures of proceedings to be relayed around the world.
Mr Doherty was reported to be concentrating on the legitimacy of the tribunal where there will be no jury and only the judges' panel is allowed to question witnesses.
Mr Doherty is also well known in the region for representing Lawrence Rush of Omagh, whose wife Libby died in the 1998 bombing. He also gained notoriety in the Bloody Sunday inquiry when Soldier F revealed to him that he shot Barney McGuigan at Rossville Flats in 1972.
Hussein has been jailed under American control since his capture in December 2003. His legal team has complained repeatedly that they have not been allowed proper access to their client.
It is understood Anthony Scrivener QC, a prominent human rights lawyer, who helped free the Guildford Four, has been approached to lead the defence.
Hussein's lawyers have attacked the legitimacy of the tribunal and say they do not know all the charges. However, the initial charges are centred around the Du-jail massacre where 143 Shiites were killed in 1982.
Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman said Mr Scrivener's participation would help to avoid the trial "descending into farce".
"If this is not to become a mockery, [it is important] that there are proper lawyers and good lawyers on the defence side, who can help to make it into a fair process," he said.
Abdel Haq Alani, the Iraqi-born barrister who has assembled the defence team, said the Iraqi Special Tribunal is illegal.
"It was drafted by an occupying power. It has no right under international law to change the legal system of the occupied land," he said.
The defence team also says it has received an 800-page bundle outlining the prosecution case but that many pages are unreadable.
However, according to Mr Doherty, his services are no longer required by Hussein's legal team as a submission on the lawfulness of the Iraqi Special Tribunal has been prepared. "I have no further involvement in this matter at this time."
BY COLIN MCGARRIGLE
A Derry solicitor made famous for his legal prowess in the Bloody Sunday inquiry and in the Omagh bombing investigation is no longer part of the "trial of the century".
Des Doherty, based out of Derry, was asked to be a part of the legal team defending Saddam Hussein but has stated that his role is now complete.
"I had been asked to provide legal opinion with other international lawyers on the lawfulness of the Iraqi Special Tribunal. My professional input in that matter is now complete and at an end," said Doherty in a statement issued by his office.
The trial of Hussein, which started yesterday, is expected to be one of the biggest in legal history with TV pictures of proceedings to be relayed around the world.
Mr Doherty was reported to be concentrating on the legitimacy of the tribunal where there will be no jury and only the judges' panel is allowed to question witnesses.
Mr Doherty is also well known in the region for representing Lawrence Rush of Omagh, whose wife Libby died in the 1998 bombing. He also gained notoriety in the Bloody Sunday inquiry when Soldier F revealed to him that he shot Barney McGuigan at Rossville Flats in 1972.
Hussein has been jailed under American control since his capture in December 2003. His legal team has complained repeatedly that they have not been allowed proper access to their client.
It is understood Anthony Scrivener QC, a prominent human rights lawyer, who helped free the Guildford Four, has been approached to lead the defence.
Hussein's lawyers have attacked the legitimacy of the tribunal and say they do not know all the charges. However, the initial charges are centred around the Du-jail massacre where 143 Shiites were killed in 1982.
Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman said Mr Scrivener's participation would help to avoid the trial "descending into farce".
"If this is not to become a mockery, [it is important] that there are proper lawyers and good lawyers on the defence side, who can help to make it into a fair process," he said.
Abdel Haq Alani, the Iraqi-born barrister who has assembled the defence team, said the Iraqi Special Tribunal is illegal.
"It was drafted by an occupying power. It has no right under international law to change the legal system of the occupied land," he said.
The defence team also says it has received an 800-page bundle outlining the prosecution case but that many pages are unreadable.
However, according to Mr Doherty, his services are no longer required by Hussein's legal team as a submission on the lawfulness of the Iraqi Special Tribunal has been prepared. "I have no further involvement in this matter at this time."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1833
Published Date: 20-Oct-05
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