Saddam's chief Iraqi counsel says he saw marks of torture on client's body

Associated Press | December 24 2005

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's chief Iraqi lawyer echoed charges Friday by the ousted leader that he was beaten and tortured by U.S. troops, saying he had seen the bruises himself.

The United States has strenuously denied guards harmed Saddam. The Iraqi judge who investigated Saddam said until this week Saddam had never claimed any mistreatment, even when asked directly if he had been abused.

Lawyer Khalil Dulaimi said the torture was revealed to him during a brief interview with his client during the leader's trial sessions in Baghdad on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The president was tortured severely by the American forces and I saw bruise marks on his body. They are visible," Dulaimi said in a phone interview after arriving in Jordan.

"They are still torturing him psychologically," Dulaimi added.

He did not say where the bruises were on Saddam's body or describe them. He also gave no details on what he meant by psychological torture.

Dulaimi said he filed a complaint with the court Thursday, urging it to investigate the abuse charge.

In Baghdad, the chief prosecutor in Saddam's trial, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said he had not seen such a complaint. He added he plans to visit Saddam and his seven co-defendants to review their health and "listen to their demands and supply them with everything they need."

Saddam caused a stir Wednesday when he claimed during the trial he had been beaten by U.S. troops and tortured. He insisted "the marks are still there" but he didn't reveal any bruises to the courtroom.

On Thursday, Saddam repeated his charge, adding U.S. government denials could not be trusted.

Judge Raid Juhi, who investigated Saddam's alleged crimes as Iraq's leader, said Thursday officials repeatedly asked Saddam if he had ever been beaten. He answered "no" every time, Juhi said.

Juhi said if Saddam or the other defendants had complained of beatings or torture, doctors would have investigated.

Saddam's trial is due to resume Jan. 24. He and his co-defendants are charged with the murder of more than 140 people who were killed in the town Dujail in 1982 after an attempt on Saddam's life. If convicted, the accused could be condemned to death.

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