Saddam Trial Judge Seeks Asylum in UK

[babylonsister]

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/03/11/top3.htm

Saddam Trial Judge Seeks Asylum in UK
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): The Iraqi trial judge who sentenced former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to death has asked for asylum in Britain, Arab television reported.

The television said that Raouf Abdel Rahman had asked for asylum after going to Britain with his family in mid-December on a visitor's visa.

"The information we have is that the judge sought asylum for reasons including that he fears for his own life and the lives of family members ... The application is being considered by the Home Office," said London correspondent of the television, citing unnamed official British sources.

A spokeswoman for Britain's interior ministry declined to comment on the case.

Saddam Hussein was executed on Dec. 30, 2006 after being found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to hang on Nov. 5 in the court headed by Abdel Rahman.

The trial was over the killing of 148 men after a 1982 assassination attempt against Saddam in the Iraqi town of Dujail.

[acmavm]

1. He needs to stay in Iraq and tough it out. He felt fine being the 'face' for

the decision to execute the man. Let him stand by his decision both literally and figuratively.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Why would he need asylum?

If he had truly done what the Iraqi people wanted him to do, wouldn't he be a national hero?

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. You don't ask for asylum from 'the people'

It's if the government is unwilling or unable to protect you - whether that's from a small group, a large one or the government itself. This is a claim by the judge that the civil war is out of control.

[malaise]

4. Bingo n/t