London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Judge Raed al Juhi, Chief Investigative judge at Iraq ’s special tribunal told Asharq al Awsat that a great deal has been accomplished in the Dujail case and that Saddam Hussein will soon face trial for a campaign of killings, arrests, deportation and property destruction in 1988, known as the Anfal .

In a telephone conversation from his offices in Baghdad, Judge Juhi said, “The commission has concluded its investigation into the Anfal case and the crimes of genocide committed against the Kurds. The case has been referred to the court and Saddam and six of his former aides will be tried for their role. The co-accused are Ali Hassan al Majod (also known as Chemical Ali), Sultan Hashim Ahmad (onetime Defense Minister), Saber Abdulaziz al Duri (former intelligence chief), Hussein Rashid al Tikriti (a military leader in the presidential guard), Taher Tawfiq al Ani (member of the regional command of the Iraqi Baath party) and Farhan al Jibouri.”

Judge Juhi did not disclose the name of the judge who will be presiding over the second trial. He said that Judge Said al Hammashi, whose name is being mentioned as possible candidate for the post, “is an important member of the court but he is not the chair of the second trial.”

For his part, Judge al Hammashi told Asharq al Awsat he would chair the second case against Iraq’s former dictator, “unless there is another conspiracy at play”. He was referring to his nomination to chair the first trial after Judge Rezkar Amin resigned. As the second judge, he was entitled to preside over the court but was deemed ineligible due to his former alleged Baath party membership.

“We have yet to receive the files on the Anfal campaign from the investigative authorities. They should be referred to the general prosecutor and then to the court which will se a date to look into the case,” he said.