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24Jun07 - IRQ


Prosecutor v. al-Majid et al., Anfal Campaign Case
Trial Judgment


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In The Name of God All Merciful All Compassionate

Iraqi High Tribunal
Second Criminal Court
Baghdad - Iraq
Ref. No 1/C Second/2006
Date: 2007 Jun 24

*At the request of the Iraqi High Tribunal/Regime Crimes Liaison Office, all names of witnesses and families of witnesses and victims have been redacted for their safety.

(Introduction)

The first of Nuremburg Court principles, for the year 1950, stated the following: "Any person, who commits an act classified as crime per international law, will be responsible and subjected to punishment". Relying on this principle, it becomes understandable that any act described as international crime will be punished as per International Law, if such action constitutes a breach of International Law's articles. The Iraqi High Tribunal, formed as per Law No 10 for the year 2005, even if it was a national court, is assigned to consider international crimes, as the report will state, and prosecute turned over convicts [charged for international crimes] as per its juridical allegiance.

Nature of Crimes appropriated for this court:

The Iraqi High Tribunal is the appropriated court to review acts considered as a breach of International Law, within a defined period of time, starting from 1968 Jul 17 until 2003 May 1, as per Clause [Second] of Article [1] of Law No 10 for the year 2005 (previously mentioned), which stated " Court's allegiance is applicable on every normal person, Iraqi or not, residing Iraq and convicted of any of the crimes mentioned in Articles [11, 12, 13, and 14] of the aforementioned law, within the Republic of Iraq or any other place ... These include the following crimes:

1- Genocide

2- Crimes against Humanity

3- War Crimes

4- Infringement of Iraqi Laws as stated in Article [14] of the aforementioned law. From this introduction, it becomes understandable that crimes defined by this law are crimes of International characteristics. It is acknowledged that International crimes' impact is not limited to a certain society, rather stretching to enclose all worldwide societies. In other terms, its impact will stretch to enclose all mankind, excepting no society whatsoever. As for local crimes, or internal ones, their impact is limited to the society where such acts were perpetrated. That's on one side. On the other's, international crimes are subjected to International Tribunal Law's articles, at a time where internal or local crimes undergo national tribunal. Third, we find that the basics of each category [international or internal] differ from one another. The idea of international crime, and its identifications, is different, from many aspects, than that of a national one. This does not necessary mean that they completely differ, but they surely do, over some aspects, as we mentioned above, due to the lack of legislative specs within the international community and availability within the state, taking into consideration that International Law's vital source is conventionality. Whereas, we find that the only tribunal law's source is legislation issued by the appropriated legislative authority (written law), excluding the Anglo-Saxon law which is still, to a big extent, based on juridical precedents. The difference in nature, between international and local crimes, is justified by legal divergence between the two concepts. In the internal field, law is framed as decrees issued by the appropriated legislative authority, when in the international field there is no legislative authority or commission designated to put down obligatory rules. Rather, the general agreements and accords, within countries, are adopted to identify legal rules, as well as stable and obligatory conventional international regulations. Fourth, the gap, between international and internal crimes, is clearly shown whence internal crime does not occur, usually, against a large number of victims and possessions, as the international crime includes tens, hundreds, or even thousands of victims and possessions, from where came its appellation as "Crimes against Humanity", "Genocide", and " War Crimes".

It is clear, from what had been said, that there are many differences between international and internal crimes. However, these differences do not prevent a similarity, on the same level, between the two categories, the thing that was behind adopting articles, already mentioned in national tribunal laws, and enforce them on crimes stipulated in international marshal or undisputed laws.

Laws which must be applicable by this Court:

Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No 10, for the year 2005, stated the following:

1st) The court's sentences are those stipulated by Penal Code [111] for the year 1969, excluding lifetime imprisonment, which stretches over the convict's lifetime period, taking into consideration Article [17] of this law.

2nd) Sentences, stipulated in the Penal Code and other penal laws, are effective against crimes laid down in Article [14] of this law.

3rd) Taking into consideration Clauses [Fourth] and [Fifth] of the aforementioned article, the tribunal court will be responsible to define charges appropriated to the aforementioned crimes, stipulated in Articles [11, 12, and 13] of this law.

4th) The convict, charged for crimes laid down in the Penal Code, will be sentenced if:

A- He perpetrated murder or rape as per Penal Code.

B- He participated in perpetrating murder or rape.

5th) When the court designate a sentence for any crime stipulated in Articles [11, 12, and 13] of this law, which do not have an analogue in the Iraqi law, it will take into consideration certain factors like crime's significance and convict's personal conditions, rightly guided by "judicial precedents and international tribunal's sentences, in this concern ...", and till the article's end. By referring back to Article [17] of the same Penal Code, we find stated the following: Article [17] -

First: If no legal text, pertaining to this Code and the issued regulations in accordance, Penal Code's Public Laws must be applied against accusing and prosecuting convicts, as it is stipulated in the following codes:

A- Between 1968 Jul 17 and 1969 Dec 14: Baghdad's Penal Code

B- Between 1969 Dec 15 and 2003 May 1: Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969, which had been valid in 1985 (3rd Edition)

C- Martial Penal Code No [13] for the year 1940 and Military Trials Procedure Law No [44] for the year 1941

Second: The court and cassation commission can refer to International Tribunal Laws when elaborating Articles [11, 12, and 13] of this code.

Third: Penal Code's articles are effective as not to intervene with this code's, as well as legal and international commitments pertaining to internal crimes within the court's jurisdiction, when applying articles appropriated to an amnesty from tribunal responsibility.

Fourth: Crimes stipulated in articles [11, 12, 13, and 14] are not subjugated to oldness relinquish for the charges of penal litigation and sentence.

If we review acts stipulated as genocide, crimes against humanity, or crimes of war, we recognize that many of criminal acts have been already mentioned in Iraqi Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969, counted as crimes by Iraqi legislator who affirmed the appropriated sentences in many legal texts. Articles [405] and [406], of Iraqi Penal Code, identify premeditated murder as a premeditated murder of another person. This description matches up with murder description included in Articles [11, 12, and 13] of the Iraqi Penal Code. As of Articles [190] and [222] of the same Penal Code, criminal acts which threaten the state's internal security are elaborated, as well as Article [325] which condemns slavery (exploiting others in drudgery) and Articles [322], [421], and [425] ... which handled detaining persons, jailing or depriving them from freedom, allowing some to misuse a certain location to prison or detain. Articles [421] until [427] stated the different forms of abduction, Article [333] tackled torture, Articles [393], [396], and [397] dealt with rape, homosexuality and molestation, and Articles [412] and [413] concentrated on assault. As of Article [381], it predetermined the incrimination of the eradication, dislocation or commutation of a new born baby. The Iraqi legislator documented, in Iraqi Penal Code, the charges of burglary in Articles [439] till [446], premeditated public properties' spoilage in Article [197], crime of spoiling, destroying, sabotaging or damaging a real estate, vehicles pertaining to others and making them useless, sowed fields owned by others, un-mowed crops or plantations belonging to others, as well as trees. The amended Iraqi Military Penal Code No [13], for the year 1940, mentioned the crime of giving officers orders to commit murder in Article [98], assailing injured and POWs' money in Article [115], turning a blind eye on crimes in Article [123], and many other Articles which incriminate a diversity of acts. This and it would be worth to mention that Article [150] of Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969 stated that there is no oldness relinquish for the charges of penal litigation and sentence no crime or sentence will be dropped unless in the condition of death, via public or special amnesty, or if the plaintiff decided to withdraw all charges in appropriated cases.

The Court establishment and its legitimacy:

The Iraqi High Tribunal is the successor of Special Iraqi Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity which had been established by the Governing Council which was handling, temporarily, the authority in Iraq. The aforementioned council had been internationally recognized via International Security Council, as per Resolution 1511/2003 on 2003 Oct 16. As a consequence of the aforementioned resolution, the Governing Council issued a temporarily "State Administration Law for the Transition Phase", on 2004 Mar 8, where this constitution emphasized on the establishment of an Iraqi Special Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity which were committed during the previous regime, after the many accusations petitioned to the aforementioned council. Due to that, a Special Iraqi Tribunal's (for crimes against humanity) law was decreed, for the year 2003, as procedures regulations were based on Article [16].

After a general referendum and new governmental elections, to add a patriotic touch over the law, the permanent constitution was consented as Law No 10 [Iraqi High Tribunal Law], for the year 2005, had been issued to replace Law No 1 [Iraqi Special Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity Law], for the year 2003. In the obligatory reasons, behind the establishment of Law No 10 for the year 2005, it had been mentioned the following: "To reveal the crimes perpetrated in Iraq and what resulted as ghoulish genocide, and to lay down the regulations and sentences which condemn offenders in a fair trial, to charge them against launching wars, genocide and crimes against humanity, and to form a national Iraqi High Tribunal with the contribution of qualified, experienced and honest Iraqi judges, to trial the convicts, aiming to reveal the truth and consequences of such crimes (cruelty and oppression), protecting many Iraqis, unveiling their fears, and accentuating the sky's equity as God wanted to be ... this code had been legislated".

Based on givens, it is possible to confirm that Iraqi High Tribunal, which had been established as per Law No 10 for the year 2005, issued on behalf of the freely and democratically elected national committee and a legislative permanent national government (also elected), as well as a permanent constitution approved following a public referendum . This court, including all its commissions and formations, is a legislative one, established according to a code issued by an elected parliamentary commission, as its legitimacy is taken from its law and Iraqi permanent constitution. Therefore, any contrary statement is a fact-less one, as pushing more on the illegitimacy of the court, which had been propagandized by convicts' attorneys, is baseless.

This, in addition to the fact that the first tribunal had already resolved the legitimacy issue and dissected all allegations pretending illegitimacy in Al-Dujayl Case No 1/CFirst/2005 on 2006 Nov 5, where its decree had been approved by the cassation commission in Iraqi High Tribunal, as per decree No 24/(SATTS T)/2006 on 2006 Sep 7. So, this issue had already gained over the charges.

The Government official's immunity:

It must be considered that some of the convicts, who are being trialed by the court, are members in the bygone Revolution Command Council. It had been mentioned in the temporarily Iraqi constitution, for the year 1970, that Revolution Command Council's head and council's members are fully immune where no course of action could be taken against them before acquiring an anticipated permission from the bygone Revolution Council Command's itself. If such principle was valid in the past, before the fall of the regime in 2003 Apr 9, it is not applicable nowadays. This principle had been cancelled by the government which succeeded the previous regime, as its president had been turned over to justice, convicted and the sentence had been executed against him and his henchmen. On the other hand, the aforementioned regime's eminent figures, including those charged in this case, were trialed for committing international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of war). Adding up, the charges against our case's convicts (Al-Anfal Case) are crimes which are not limited within Iraqi state and society, as previously detailed, rather perpetrated against the whole human race. Therefore, its impact stretches to enclose all humankind all over the world, as in such type of crimes no one can rely on the logic of immunity to get away from penal responsibility.

The First Court of Crimes have already resolved the immunity issue in its Al-Dujayl Case's decree No 1/CFirst/2005, dated 2006 Nov 5, which reached a unanimous degree of affirmation from Iraqi High Tribunal - Cassation Commission in its decree No 24/ T)/2006, dated on 2006 Sep 7. The First Court of Crimes showed that this court has juridical precedents such as Nuremberg cases where "Crimes against international law" had been identified as "committed by men rather than legal commissions". On the other side, International Martial Law's constitution declines immunities granted to statesmen - convicts at a certain time.

In reference to United Nations [U.N.] General Secretary's report, while discussing Article [7] of International Tribunal's law for former Yugoslavia, the aforementioned Secretary noticed that "no individual must be granted the right of president's immunity accreditation when perpetrating racial or war crimes, and mostly crimes against humanity". The U.N. leader mentioned that he "believes that all individuals, who participated in planning, preparing, or executing major infringements in International Human Law, in former Yugoslavia, or contributed in committing such violations, will be responsible as individuals". Therefore, he suggested "the law must contain verdicts which clearly define that presidents' abuse of their immunity or pretending that such crimes were executed via official orders will not be a motive to diminish sentences".

These statements reflect the general common unanimity that international standards have influentially changed vis-a-vis ex-statesmen and major governmental officials' immunities. It becomes understandable that, since World War II [WWII], comprehensive immunities do not apply automatically, especially after keeping high officials away from "Conviction Lists" when perpetrating international crimes including crimes against humanity, crime of war, or genocide.

If we referred back to Iraqi High Tribunal Law No 10 for the year 2005, we will find that Article [15] has already tackled the issue, clearly and decisively. Clause [Third] of the aforementioned Article stated "The convict's official description is not considered exempted from sentence, or a cause to diminish the sentence, even if the convict was president, Revolutionary Command Council's commander or member, Prime Minister or Minister, or Ba'th Party Command's member as no one should invoke immunity to get away from charges due to the crimes mentioned in Articles [11, 12, 13, and 14] of this law". Clause [Fourth] of the same Article said: "The Supreme President will not be exempted from criminal charges over crimes committed by henchmen working directly under his command, that if the president knew or had reasons to acknowledge that his subordinate committed these acts, or was going to, and he did not take necessary actions to prevent such doings or to transfer the case to appropriated authorities for investigation and trial". In Clause [Fifth] is included "If any individual committed an act as implementation of an order issued by the government or its president, this will not exempt him from criminal responsibilities, although a commutation may be applied if the court foresees it as a way to imply justice". Finally, Clause [Sixth] clear affirms "amnesty decrees issued prior to the implementation of this law do not include any of the individuals convicted in any of the aforementioned crimes".

From all of the above, we conclude that immunity allegations had lost legal justifications which were previously adopted vis-a-vis international crimes designated to the court, as it is not allowed according to what have been ratified by international community, and relied on this Court's Law, to submit such allegation from any of the high officials convicts, from the previous regime.

The formation of the Second Criminal Court and the process of its trials:

At first, the Second Criminal Court was formed under the chairmanship of judge ('Abdallah Al-'Amiri) after being chosen by the four member judges in the aforementioned commission. The first Al Anfal case hearing, to prosecute convicts, was held on 2006 August 21. In the sixth hearing, on 2006 September 13, Attorney General submitted a written report dated 2006 September 13 asking the relinquish of the commission chairman from reviewing this lawsuit, supported by many reasons including that this court does not pertain the legal role of an attorney general, restraining his rights and those of plaintiffs. In other words, it permits convicts, and their attorneys, to direct useless, mocking questions to the plaintiffs. It was mentioned, in the warrant, that the court went the extra mile whereas the plaintiff became an accused of treason and espionage, in the convicts' point of views. On the other side, convicts assaulted the court and prosecutors, insulting both many times. Adding up, a direct threat, once to the court, another to the prosecutors, where the court, instead of taking legal actions against the convict, went asking permission to talk. The Attorney General Commission has noticed that the court permitted it to be misused as political platform by convicts, as the report said. Since the Attorney General represents Human Community, as the case is one of the crimes against humanity, the Attorney General finds that the court's attitude is supportive to convicts. Based on that, the Attorney General is asking the court chairman to relinquish reviewing the submitted lawsuit. This is what contained Attorney General Munqidh Taklif Al Fir'awn withdrawal memorandum. Judge 'Abdallah Al-'Amiri, the court's magistrate replied "One of the accredited documents in the U.N., which became one of the main documents, is 'Omar Bin Al-Khattab letter when he assigned justice to Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari in the year 14 [Hijri Calendar]. One of the conditions needed to judge is to maintain equality among all individuals in his court, where no honest will be greedy for his unfairness and no weak will be desperate for his justice". This is one document which became vital source in U.N.". Then, the court's chief replied "I would like to comment on the issue. Our Imam 'Ali, which you all heard about the shield story, when he dropped the shield, a Jewish took it then they were summoned by the judge, and the judge told Imam 'Ali (Peace be upon him): Go ahead (Aba Al-Hasan), and the Imam said (Peace be upon him): Why do you differentiate me from my opponent? The judge said: I did not give my ruling yet. Imam 'Ali said: Just using my alias (Aba Al-Hasan) that means you differentiate me from my opponent, and after that, the judge sentenced the shield to the Jewish and the Jewish said: This is the morals of the prophets. Then, he returned the shield to Imam ('Ali) and converted to Islam. When the lawyer says: (Mr. President) I don't hold bad feelings against convict, but we hold a message, we are the veterans of great principles, a joyful present and prosperous future in Gods welling. The Iraqi Justice is recognized, as we learned from our great teachers, whose some were in the cassation court, while others, we still meet and ask advice from. We will keep on the oath, in God's will. Convict Saddam Hussein, as example, when the lawyer tells him" Mr. President" I don't hold bad feelings against him, I wondered why no one told these words before, when I reminded the attorney twice or three times. I am abiding by the law, so the lawyer should say: (convict), all what I did is along the course of legislation. I am not better than the legislator because it was not made on an arbitrary case, but it was made for reasons, studies, and deep theories in addition to a long experience. Even when one single Article is to be amended, it will be a subject of studies and suggestions and the article which faces complications will remain and will not be a subject to change. Formerly, we used to review (Babel) newspaper when it comments on a verdict or such things especially after a trial reaching a verdict. They pretend different things among counter sides. Now you see on satellite channels each one setting, lancing statements, speaking whatever crosses his mind as if he is the legislator, as if he was Al-Sanhuri, Ra'uf 'Ubayd, or Rushdi 'Abd-al-Malik, as if we are the intruders, the new freshmen knowing nothing. No, we will preserve the oath. This means when I say to a plaintiff "Kaka", I mean "brother", when I address the convict the way Imam 'Ali did, I must call him "brother". Why when I said "Kaka" no one objected? Why don't I tell this side (pointing the convict) "we are all brothers, Muslims are all equal before God and Justice". Based on this, the court rejected the request (withdrawal) and not impugn was presented in the cassation court.

Judge Muhammad 'Iraybi Majid Al-Khalifah was elected as head of the Second Criminal Court, succeeding Judge 'Abdallah Al-'Amiri whose transfer had been decided toward Iraqi High Tribunal. Another judge, Mr. Muhammad 'Iraybi Majid Al-Khalifah, replaced him as a member in the Court Commission, effective from the 10th hearing of the trial, on 2006 September 20.

Convict Saddam Hussein and his attorneys impugned Judge Muhammad 'Iraybi Majid Al-Khalifah election's legitimacy. The convict raided verbal assault touching the judge's (head of commission) personal credibility, speaking out inappropriate words aiming to disrupt the course of trial and to affect its process. He objected deputizing a lawyer to replace his withdrawn proxy, the thing that violated the hearing regulations and forced the newly assigned judge moving him out of court, to insure a smooth and natural process for the hearing on that day.

In the same session, on 2006 September 20, the convicts' lawyers presented a written petition to the court objecting the change of head judges asking a permission to withdraw from the court. The judge in charge approved and order deputizing lawyers from the attorney office to defend the convicts.

Convict Saddam Hussein, and some others, attempted to re-violate the trials' process via political speeches, delivered by him, or by calling him "Mr. President" by other convicts. However, the court warned convicts many times that such behavior will cause their dismissal, away from court, as well as taking legal measures against who violate the court's courtesy. The trials continued normally and smoothly, after this announcement, until the end.

From the other side, convict's defense attorneys veered to a path which does not match with their profession as advocates, making illegal requests, each time rejected by court. This unprofessional behavior was shown through their continual interruption absence from court hearings for illusionary reasons far to be logic. The attorneys refrained from attending the sessions for the first time after changing the head of judges (Commission Chief). On the second time, they were bothered by the court's rejection of their "illegal" requests. The third time occurred when the court refused calling convicts by their aliases, ranks or previous military posts when they were on the state's pulpit. Fourth and final time, when they decided to support a comrade who assaulted the court's process, insisted on his stance forcing the court to take necessary measures against him.

On 2006 October 08, Attorney Badi' 'Arif 'Izzat, defending Convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi, presented a petition asking the court to dismiss Judge Muhammad 'Iraybi Majid Al-Khalifah, head of the Second Criminal Court (Iraqi High Tribunal), as a hideous crime had been committed defined by the assassination of his brother-in-law and sister's child were treacherously by terrorists. The requester considered that such incident will affect the fairness and clarity of concerned judge's decision, and negatively affect his neutrality vis-a-vis the case and convicts including Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi.

Based on the aforementioned petition, Second Tribunal Commission's judge presented his report stating that the murder of his brother-in-law and sister's child had nothing to do with the lawsuit, based on the fact that dismissal conditions are not available as no indications relate the convict to the crime as no previous hostility in recognized between the parties. Therefore, Article [93] in its second clause from the Civil Pleading Law does not apply. The court has finished reviewing the case and submitted it to the Cassation Commission in the Court's chairmanship for verification.

The aforementioned commission has issued its cassation decree, holding Ref. No [4/R/D/2006] dated 2006 October 15 , which implied that the petition is not based on one of the terms stipulated in Article [93] of Civil Pleading Law. The decree fined the requester five thousand Dinars according to Article [4/96] of the aforementioned law, informing the commission's chief to carry on the case as the file had been turned to the court and the decision issued on 15 October 2006, unanimously.

In the 50th session on 26 March 2007, lawyers Dr. 'Abd-al-Sattar Salim Al-Kubaysi defending convicts Sultan Hashim Ahmad, Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri and Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani, and Mr. Miqdad Sami Al-Juburi defending Convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad, have submitted a petition asking the court to dismiss commission's chief of judges from reviewing this case, after the quarrel which occurred between him and Attorney Badi' 'Arif 'Izzat, defending Farhan Mutlak Salih, in a previous session, where the latter pretended that Halabja had been bombed with chemicals by Iran. The petition contained "What has Iran to do with such attack" which had been said by the chief of judges, considering such behavior as a presumption acknowledging that the basic motives, from the beginning of this trial, as attorneys pretended, has shown that chemical weapons usage was in the Northern area, by Iran and not Iraqi Forces. On the other side, when the chief of judges say that he is charging the case's convicts, as the two proxies proclaimed.

Chief of the Court Commission has carried out legal producers explaining, in his submitted report, to the Iraqi High Tribunal Chief, on 2007 March 27, that the quarrel was about striking Halabja with chemical weapons, following the question-and-answer method between the court and attorneys where no personal opinion had been mentioned. He enclosed, along his report, a detailed minute of the 49th session on 2007 March 15.

The documents had been verified by Iraqi High Tribunal - Cassation Commission on 2007 April 02, where it had been noticed that the petition do not rely on any legal evidence proving that the judge's answer disqualified him from his Judicial credibility as per 8th rule of Procedures and Evidence Collecting rules attached to Iraqi High Tribunal Law [10] for the year 2005. Adding up, what occurred in the aforementioned case of debate between the judge and the attorney is considered as part of the normal process of the court, not an opinion statement as per Clause [Third] from Article [93] of Civil Pleadings Law.

Based on that, the cassation commission turned down the petition as it is not matching with the law as per 8th rule of Procedures and Evidence Collecting rules and per Clause [Third] from Article [93] of Civil Pleadings Law, fining the requester five thousand Dinars as per Article [4/96] of Civil Pleadings Law, turning back the file to its court informing 2nd Criminal Court Chief to continue on with the case as the decree was issued unanimously.

To reveal the full truth and apply justice, the court decided to check out locations where Al Anfal operations occurred.

The court had moved with all commission (General Prosecution, some lawyers and court's employees) to Kurdistan Region where it studied the sites which were possible to reach and were attacked with chemical weapons. They also inspected the mass graves where chemical weapons' victims had been buried as well as camps and detention centers, visiting Nizarki Fort at Duhuk governorate checking the very near mass grave where detainees used to be buried (men, women and children). They also visited Bahirka camp in Irbil governorate, which had been mentioned by many plaintiffs in their testimonies, and Al-Sulaymaniyyah

The field visit lasted four days after which minutes, witnesses' testimonies, and pictures had been put down. It is worth saying that plaintiffs (who claim personal right [TC: asked not to mention their names]) and witnesses reached 1192. Listening to this big number's testimonies will definitely take long time. Therefore, it had been decided to listen to 90 of them as the others' had been disregarded due to their similarities to other statements as per rule [59] of Clause [3] of Procedures Rules.

On 2007 February 20, convicts were charged in this case. Defense lawyers refuted, via a memo dated 2007 March 14, the charges minute, explaining that it does not get along with Iraqi or international appropriated laws. Also, it does not match with the nature of acts charged against convicts, either legally or objectively. The two refutes were enclosed with case's file.

Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid lawyer also refuted the memo.

In the 49th session, on 2007 March 15, a quarrel occurred between 2nd Criminal Court Chief and Attorney Badi' 'Arif 'Izzat where the first said "You don't respect the court, because when you describe it as a murderous project, you will be libeling it".

That was after Panorama program, broadcasted on Al-'Arabia Satellite Channel, on 2006 December 26, where the aforementioned lawyer described the court as a farce and murderous project rather than trial.

Based on that, the court decided to implement legal actions against lawyer Badi' 'Arif 'Izzat, arresting him as per Article [230] of Iraqi Penal Code, transferring him to Central Tribunal court to take appropriate legal procedures, as well as requesting Iraqi Bar to charge the attorney disciplinary fines for breaching the ethics of the profession.

Convicts and attorneys submitted a list of defense witnesses, exceeding legal deadline. However, for human reasons, the court approved informing them with hearing's schedule to attend and testify. But the court noticed that most of the convicts provided blurry or missing addresses as some did not mention one at all, as well as some did not show up, due to security reasons or fearing that they might be wanted by justice for participating in Al Anfal Operations. Despite, the court gave convicts many chances, delaying the hearings so that they can contact their witnesses but in vain which let the court continue its trial according to rules. The court refused listening to witnesses residing outside Iraq, where the convicts after lawyers' request to assign the Iraqi consul in Damascus and Amman to write down their testimonies. The court viewed such procedure as inefficient in a complex case such as Al Anfal. This matter will lead to a delay in declaring the verdict, especially that the court had been granted vast jurisdiction in estimating evidences as well as turning down any procedure which may delay settling down the case. Therefore, the court decided not to respond to convicts and lawyers' request.

The Case's files:

Al Anfal case contains 43 investigative files including thousands of documents, testimonies, investigative decisions, maps, mass graves' files, international experts' reports, and examinations carried out throughout investigation stages, as well as CDs (Compact Discs), audio tapes and others.

The Second Tribunal spent hard and big effort in reading and classifying these files, while the number of plaintiffs (personal right plaintiffs) in this case, whose testimonies were juridical recorded, reached more than a thousand from victims' relatives missed due to Al Anfal operations, in addition to those who escaped the mass graves and chemical raids. This, plus the documents, files, and CDs (Compact Discs) which were not organized effectively due to its huge number, diversity of sources and whereabouts, despite General Attorney Commission's hard efforts to re-archive those documents, files, CDs, and audio tapes in an accurate, well organized manner.

All that was due because Al Anfal operations were considered big and inclusive, starting 1987 and ending in 1988, including all villages from Iraqi Kurdistan in all governorates (Irbil, Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Duhuk) as well as some villages which belongs to Kirkuk governorate. The toll reached tens of thousands of Kurdish victims between martyrs killed by raids (whether conventional or chemical weapons), or missed individuals buried in mass graves, found and anonymous, which are known as (The anfalized).

Iraqi High Tribunal Authority:

It had been early mentioned that Iraqi High Tribunal, established via Law No [10] for the year 2005, is the court appropriated to review acts which constitute a breach of international law, committed by a normal person, Iraqi or not, residing the Republic of Iraq or any other place, between the period of time from 1968 Jul 17 to 2003 May 1. This was what had been stipulated in [Second] of Clause [1] of Article [1] of the aforementioned Code, as follow:

"1-Second- The allegiance of this court is applied on every normal individual, Iraqi or not, residing Iraq and convicted for committing one of the crimes enlisted in Articles [11, 12, 13 and 14] of this code and committed between 1968 July 17 and 2003 May 1, in the Republic of Iraq or any other place . including the following crimes:

a. Genocide

b. Crimes Against Humanity

c. War Crimes

d. Violation of Iraqi laws enlisted in Article [14] of this code. By referring back to the previously mentioned Article, we recognize that it states the following: "Court allegiance is applied on convicts accused for one of the following crimes:

1st - Interfere in judiciary affairs or trying to affect the trials' procedure.

2nd - Squander and disperse national wealth, as per Clause [G] of Article [Second] of Conspirators and Regime's Corruptors Penal Code No [7] for the year 1958.

3rd - Misuse of the position or pursuing policies which could have possible lead to threat by war or Iraqi Armed Forces usage against an Arab state as per Article [1] of Code No [7] for year 1958.

4th - If the court finds out that the concerned side delayed in sentencing any of the crimes mentioned in Articles [11, 12 and 13] of this Code, and can prove this act considered as crime that should be punished according to Iraqi Penal Code, or any other, at the time or perpetration. In such case, the court is assumed to review the lawsuit".

From the above two texts, it becomes obvious that Iraqi High Tribunal, even if it is national rather than international court, has the right to consider international crimes, because such characteristic had been granted to it as per clear law texts.

Even though the law did not grant such characteristic to the court, it is still legislative to consider international crimes, because Iraq signed international treaties including International Crimes Penalty, as well as War Crimes' included in Geneva Accords in 1949 and extra attached protocols, genocides included in Genocide's Prevention and Penalty Convention for the year 1948. This on one side, as on the other, the International Tribunal Laws are applied on all countries - including Iraq - directly with no need to be enclosed in country's national laws, without even the need to be published, as in the case of crimes against humanity. That without mentioning that war crimes and genocides are forbidden as per international conventional laws before being contained and incriminated by Conventional International Law (International Agreements and Accords).

From Article [14] of the abovementioned law, it has been mentioned that this court's jurisdiction is not limited only to prosecute convicts for perpetrating international crimes but also prosecuting convicts for crimes enlisted in Baghdad Penal Code which was effective in the monarchy era and still, until the expiree of Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969, as well as crimes enlisted in the latter, National Security's Conspirators and Regime's Corrupts Penal No [7] for the year 1958, Martial Penal Code No [13] for the year 1940, or any other code applicable at the time of perpetrating the crime.

Crimes and Sentences Legislative Principle
(No crime or penalty without clause)
1st - Crimes' Legislation (No crime without Stipulation):

This principle means that any fact, even an act or abstention from action, can't be categorized under penal code, or can't be a reason to incriminate pronounced by penal justice, unless it undergoes a legal (adaptation) description. In other words, it must include the elements able to incriminate as per documented law. The legislator must, when incriminating acts, make sure to define crimes in refined, clear text where the pronunciation and terms bear meanings far from being fraud or hold double significance. It is not enough to limit facts, taken as crimes, but it must detail the makeup of each crime, specs and conditions, in a way which erase any deemed thought, rendering easier the judge's verdict. In other words, for any crime, to be under the penal roof, must include the general basic principles, which formulated it, in addition to the specific elements stipulated the legal description, by which is differentiating this crime from hundreds other facts currently not punished by law and, on the other hand, is differentiating from hundreds of other facts considered as different category crime. Each crime will form, by looking deep into its general basics and special features, a unique forensic description. Accordingly, no act or abstention of action is sentenced if no legal description is available. French had adopted, after their revolution, the crimes and sentences legislative principle clearly stating "Citizenship and Human Rights Declaration" in 1789 and in Article [8]. Thus principle had been reinforced via International Human Rights Declaration issued by the UN General Assembly, on 1948 September 10, becoming a pattern to be followed by all countries. Its final form showed up in Article [11/ 2], as follow "No person must be convicted due to an act or abstention of action unless the following is considered a crime as per national or international law at the time of perpetration. As well, no sentence heavier than that supposed to be issued at the time of perpetration must be given". This statement expresses the opinion which believes that no crime or sentence must be applied unless it was previously documented in a text which defines it clearly, at a date previous to that of perpetration. This means that to consider an act as penalized crime, it must be defined by law at a time previous to its perpetration and stable on the same conditions. In fact, tribunal laws, in some countries the constitutional laws, include this principle without any doubts because the latter is considered as a guarantee of individual freedom, and condition imposed on states. In other words, applying crimes and sentences' legislative principle is as imposing the principle of law on the state itself.

All Iraqi constitutions, excluding the monarchy constitution of 1925, clearly declared this principle which is available in the last Iraqi Permanent Constitution of 2005 and valid Iraqi Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. It is worth mentioning though that Baghdadi Penal Code did not include this principle.

According to that, criminal base's source is legislation, or legislative authority which is the only one authorized to frame actions and omissions considered as crime, defining appropriated sentences. In other words, as a result, documented texts issued by a state's legislative authority are the source of incrimination and sentence.

The committed crimes in our case [Al-Anfal] go back to 1987-1988, so, did the Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 and Special Iraqi Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity No [1] for the year 2003 take into consideration the whole topic? Criminal acts charged against convicts, in this case, laid down in Articles [11, 12, and 13] of Iraqi law No [10] for the year 2005, were not enclosed as crimes in the Iraqi law when committed. Therefore, the trial of these convicts over such crimes is not righteous as well as legally investigating them. The law which incriminated the aforementioned acts was first issued in 2003 but the acts of the defendants were committed between 1987 and 1988, as mentioned above. On the other side, Iraqi High Tribunal No [10] for the year 2005 has drawn court's specialization as to prosecute Iraqis and foreign residents in Iraq for the period between 1968 July 17 and 2003 May 1. As if this law incriminated and sentenced over acts which were not identified as crimes, and not sentenced, and committed before its validation, the thing which contradicts Penal Code's basic principles. However, is that saying is true, despite its ills? Is crimes' legitimacy principle applicable on International Tribunal law as on a country's internal tribunal law? We mentioned previously that tribunal base's source is legislation which in declared by the legislative authority appropriated for each country. However, on 1948 September 10, International Human Rights' Declaration, which had been adopted and published following U.N. Resolution No [217000 (D - 3)], was issued including Article [11/2] which confirmed the aforementioned principle, clearly as aforesaid.

The International Human Rights' Declaration is highly important in adopting and defining crimes legitimacy principle and sentences, as well as the refusal of retroactivity in International Tribunal Law. The aim of such principles, as per this declaration, is not limited to what nations' internal laws adopt in different states for the importance of the act being stipulated as a crime, and punishable in the national laws when they were committed.. Rather, it stretches within the International Tribunal Law to include international crimes. The act or refrain must be considered as international crime sentenced as per International Tribunal Law, and at the time of its commitment, whether the origin of such incrimination or sentence is available in the international agreements and accords or internationally agreed upon. Our court acknowledge that what occurred in International Human Rights' Declaration is obligatory to all countries, at least those members in the U.N., and due to the fact that Iraq is one of its founders, which impose on it to abide by such laws without the necessity to be mentioned in internal legal texts. What confirm the advanced opinion is Article [15] of Special International Convention for Civil and Political Rights, issued following a U.N. Resolution No [2200 A] on 1966 Dec 16, valid starting 1976 March 23, and approved by Iraq in 1976. Article [15] of the aforementioned convention stated:

"1- No individual is charged for acts or refrains which were not considered as crimes at the time of implementation, as per national or international law. Also, it is not allowed to impose a sentence which is more severe than that applicable at the time of implementation. If, after the crime's perpetration, a legal text had been issued stating new lighter sentences, convicts must get the benefit of such mitigation.

2- This Article does not include any point that breaches the trial or sentence of any individual, for an act or refrain which was considered as a crime at the time of implementation, as per general laws recognized by International Community".

There is no doubt that both International Human Rights' Declaration and Special International Convention for Political and Civil Rights are characterized by international feature abiding all member countries in the United Nations, including Iraq, due to the aforementioned reasons.

We've already mentioned that international crimes' nature is enclosed under International Tribunal Law but differ from local crimes' nature, adjusted by an internal tribunal law, as the first laws are in general agreed upon [not written] where as the internal tribunal law are written as (legislations) issued on behalf of special local legislative authority. Therefore, the principle of crime's legislation does not harmonize with the nature of the agreed basic laws. Still, this principle could be applied within International Tribunal Law's scope differently then within national law's scope, as it is hard to imagine previous legal texts, in International Tribunal Law [agreed], that defines crimes and sentences the same was national laws do. Despite the improvement of both International Tribunal and Human laws toward codification, especially after Geneva Conventions, Genocide Prohibition Treaty, and approbation of International Tribunal Law's basic regulation [Roma Regulation], but the fact is still indicating, and on a large scale, that to bestow lavishly the description of "crimes" upon acts considered to be international crimes is done in the same way that International Law's positive basics are established in general, via international customs. In addition, defining crimes within International Law is not that accurate as in any country's national laws. To identify which of the acts are considered crimes in International Tribunal Law, we must refer back to a conventional international law established through international treaties (the general ones) called "Legislative Treaties" obliging all countries to abide by, whether they had approved or not, whether they had been affiliated to them or not, especially those endorsed among two or more countries (limited parties treaties).The articles of such treaties, in their two aforementioned categories, are basically international agreed rules, as for LAHAY and Geneva conventions are none but a group of agreed rules known before their stipulates were written. Therefore it is understood that international law's main source is still the international custom where as treaties and accords are none but international custom rules' translation, available before laying down such treaties and accords. To apply the principle of crime and sentences' legislation in International Tribunal Law field, we must find the basic custom international law that incriminates this act or refrain, considering it as an international crime when it was committed by an individual, or the basic law is included in a general international (legislated) treaty, or special international treaty wherein the country takes part. Based on what had been said, it became understandable that the principle of crime and sentences' legislation is applied in International Tribunal Law as it is in the National Tribunal Law. In the first, incrimination can not occur unless on acts defined as crimes by international law at the time of perpetration, whether such incrimination description was mentioned in an international conventional rule, or legal regulation enclosed within international treaty, general or special. Maybe, the best example on this is what occurs in Article [11/2] of International Human Rights' Declaration and Article [15] of Special International Convention for Civil and Political Rights, both approved by Iraq and it had been previously mentioned. Genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of war charged against convicts in our case (Al Anfal) are identified crimes in International Tribunal Law. Therefore, indicating it in Iraqi High Tribunal Law for the year 2005 and before that in Special Iraqi Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity for the year 2003, do not change in the nature of such crimes, as it had been and still documented within international custom due to the availability of a major part within Iraqi law as Internal Crimes, a well as Baghdadi Penal Code, Iraqi Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969, and Military Penal Code No [13] for the year 1940.

Second- Penalties' Legislation:
(No Penalty without stipulate):

"No Penalty without clause", is the second part of the expression that says: "No crime and no penalty without stipulate ". It means that the Judge cannot sign any penalty unless it was predetermined in previous laws with the same nature of the present case. Not that only, in addition to what was presented, it is agreed upon that the judge should not change the nature, time, and way of execution of the predetermined penalty in previous laws. The ideology of crimes legitimacy, completely applies to penalties legitimacy, as for the International crimes (crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and others) they are in general crimes that have punishments in the Iraqi penal code No.: (111) for the year 1969 and the other aforementioned penal codes. It would be easier to take reference to those laws that are related to murder, torture, persecution, assault on others fixed and non-fixed assets, captivating others, and other crimes, and to know that they are subject to punishment by the same penal code. What was mentioned in the clause No.: (24) of the High Iraqi Tribunal Criminal Court in referral to articles of penal codes to impose a suitable punishment to the predetermined crime in court, is to emphasize on the principle of Crime's legitimacy on one hand, where as most of these crimes if not all of them are criminal acts by Iraqi law (penal code No.: (111) for the year 1969), furthermore, referring to penalties of those crimes in that law and criminal laws are to abide by the penalty's legitimacy principle. Nothing can prevent a law from imposing predetermined penalties of another law, if that law incriminates such predetermined acts, and the examples on that are many even in national penal laws.

In addition to what was presented, the Article (24/fifth) of this court law points out to using guidelines, legal precedents, and punishments of International Court's Sentences, regarding penalties implemented on individuals condemned with committing predetermined crimes referred to in court law. It assures as well the no contradiction of Court's law in the principle of crime legitimacy, that is if punishments on international crimes were imposed by International Courts, if international custom grounds were available, which with its role could form an obligatory international custom that could be applied in National Courts that are examining international crimes.

If crimes were not stipulated in international treaties and agreements, and the systems and laws of International Crime Courts; it does not mean that there is no mandatory international custom that obligates International Criminal Courts, to impose punishment on who ever commits such crimes, or else what is the use of incriminating such acts and considering them international crimes if they wont have punishments? Applying the principle of crime's legitimacy does not specifically mean that the provision of the punishment should match the provision of the crime in the same text, even in national law, we find some laws include provisions that incriminate some act, and we find the punishment of it in another text, either in the same or different law, and it is logical to impose the punishments mentioned in national penal codes against accused for international crimes, where as these crimes or most of them were predetermined in the national law, as well as its incrimination within the international law. This is what was mentioned in the text of most of International Criminal Court's laws and systems and Article (24) of Iraqi High Tribunal as well.

We conclude, from what had been said, that the sentence's legislative principal, as well as that of crime, is applied within international tribunal's jurisdiction, whether it was a custom or by agreement law, in a way which gets along with the nature of such law and differentiate it from the national tribunal one. This principle - with its 2 sections - is fully and extensively applied within the Iraqi High Tribunal Court No (10) for the year 2005. Therefore, claiming other stories is none but a reaction far from being truthful or legal.

Principle of not to retroactive the Criminal Law for past cases:

Set forth with necessity for a legal text that incriminates the incident and treats it as a punishable crime, as well as preparing for the next highly important phase which is to forbid applying new criminal law on events occurred prior to its issuance. Since such legal clauses are focusing on narrowing down individual's freedom preventing them from exercising certain doings, or else they will be punished, both logic and justice require it to be applied starting from its implementation, so not to include all previous acts except those pertaining to it. This makes it understandable that it is not allowed to use criminal laws for past crimes.

Clause [1] of Article [2] of Iraqi Penal Code stated the following:

1- The crimes are subdued to law at the time of perpetration defined as the time in which the execution of the action occurred without looking at the timing of its consequences. Maybe a teller would say: crimes affiliated to convicts in our case (Al Anfal case) occurred prior to Special Iraqi Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity's issuance of Law No [1] for the year 2003, followed by Iraqi High Tribunal's Law No [10] for the year 2005 which both mentioned that crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes violate the principle of non referral to crimes happened in the past, considering it a law issued after the perpetration of such acts between 1987 - 1988. Such saying won't be taken as it is not supported by legal evidence, due to the mere fact that the incrimination of the aforementioned acts was valid before issuing First Court Law in 2003, which means was under international custom as well as international treaties and accords, already approved by Iraq. Also, it was under Baghdad Penal Code, Iraqi Penal Code [111] for the year 1969, Martial Penal Code [13] for the year 1940, and other penal codes. Therefore, we can say that both First and Second courts' laws, if not prescribing the criminal characteristics of such acts, they surely relied them on the international tribunal combining it to the national one. In other words, they considered the international tribunal which incriminate such acts as international crimes and enlisted it in the internal law as per "Reception Theory" which is recognized in the field of International Law.

The principle of tribunal non-retroactivity over passed cases is a must to protect basic freedom in different societies, lifting injustice and tyranny of the innocents. However, to take it as allegation without legally proven documents, aiming to let convicts get away with their international crimes is none but denial for justice and consecration of oppression. Since acts affiliated to convicts, in our case, are considered international crimes as per International Tribunal Custom Law, International Tribunal Agreed Law, or International Human Law before its date of occurrence. Therefore, the principle of tribunal non-retroactivity over passed cases is a principle, adopted in this case, as per court's law for the year 2005 and Special Iraqi Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity for the year 2003, and does not form a breach in the aforementioned principle. Indeed, it is a consecration and application as long as charges against convicts are considered international crimes at the time of occurrence

What is worth mentioning is that the first tribunal already discussed this issue, as well as that of crime and sentences' legislation, in a detailed style and enclosed it in its decree issued for Al-Dujayl case No [1/CFirst/2005], on 2006 Nov 5, which had been approved by Iraqi High Tribunal - Cassation Commission in decree No [24/(SATTS V)/2006], on 2006 Sep 7. Many of what have been mentioned is included in first tribunal court which derived tribunal decision and a fully applied cogency.

(Al-Anfal Case)

Historic Summary:

The Kurdish population is estimated around 35 million inhabitants. Zakrus Mountains, a prolongation of Taurus and Al-Qafqas Mountains separating Iran from Iraq, is considered as their homeland, from where came their appellation "Kurds" which means, in the Cimmerian language, "residents of the mountains". They are distributed over 5 countries: Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Al-Quqaz area, consecutively as per their populace concentration. When national conflicts waved the horizon via Prosperity and Union Association [Al-Ittihad wal Taraqqi], Turkiyyah Al-Fatat Party [Turkey the girl], and Oath Association [Al-'Ahid], in early 20th century, as well as the Ottoman government's oppression of populations under its command and Al-Sharif Husayn movement in the Arab Island, the Kurds felt a need for a unified identification which will re-group them to preserve their language, customs, traditions, and presence like others. Due to the fact that the allies [France and Britain], didn't keep their promises enlightened by U.S. President Wilson's "The Right of Self Determination Principle" as per SEVAR Treaty signed on 1920 Aug, the Kurdistan land had been cut over many countries, after Lausanne Conference on 1922 Nov 20, granting Turkey 320,000 km squares, Iran 125,000 km squares, Iraq 174,000 km squares, and Syria 20,000 km squares. The Kurds in Iraq took of armed resistance to defend their existence and patriotic identity, and to lift the oppression, resisting the Ottomans between (1909 and 1914), confronting the British from (1919 to 1927), until the mid forties (1943-1947) were harsh battles and bloody fighting took place with the government forces.

The Kurds were calling for their legal rights including the recognition of their own language as official in their areas, to have a share in the Cabinet and Parliament which match their number and populous concentration, turning back democratic freedoms, acknowledge Kurdistan self autonomous ruling, and establishing projects for economic and social development.

Due to these legal demands, the Kurds faced ordeals from all regimes which succeeded in Baghdad. The Iraqi governments were considering Iraq as a whole, including all lands and borders as one piece not able to be partitioned. That's why such governments could not admit the fact that Iraq is a country with many ethnics, ignoring the existence of any other ethnic on Iraqi soil other than Arabs. Such comportment pushed the Kurds to adhere to their rights emphasizing on their eminent national role in the country, as well as the importance of recognizing Iraq as dual ethnic country, if desired to carry on within the World War I [WWI] borders.

When successive governments in Iraq did not want to grant the Kurdish people any of their rights, the Kurds lifted arms confronting these governments, as combats continued on during monarchy era, 'Abd-al-Karim Qasim era, and got more critical in 'Abd-al-Salam 'Arif regime. The Prime Minister at the time, Dr. 'Abd-al-Rahman Al-Bazzaz tried to solve the problem peacefully but turned unsuccessful.

When previous Ba'th Party regime returned to power, in 1968, the Kurds sensed the catastrophe. However, the new regime was too busy in Baghdad strengthening his power in the center, the matter which forced to a ceasefire in Kurdistan, even though temporarily, until the regime finishes cleansing the nearest neighborhoods as it became required. Motivated by that, the regime played it soft with the Kurds and signed on 1970 Mar 11 the treaty known as "Mar 11 Treaty" which could not be implemented effectively and efficiently. No position in bygone Revolutionary Command Council, army commands, Security, and Oil, Internal and Foreign Ministries was assigned to Kurds whose role was limited to marginal ministries which do not have any significance whatsoever in drawing the country's features or to feel really involved in country's affairs. Barely a year passed by when the previous regime tried assassinating Idris Al-Barzani, followed by another try on Al-Mala Mustafa Al-Barzani at the Barzani council. In the late 1971 and early 1972, by allegation of taking revenge from Iran who occupied the 3 Gulf islands, 40,000 to 50,000 Kurdish citizens were deported to behind (Shatt Al-'Arab), where it had been identified later on that most of the deportees are Kurdish Fayli. On 1973 Feb and March, thousands of Kurdish Izdiyyin were relocated and at the end of the same year, Kurds were accused of sabotage acts over general establishments in the north and affiliation to Iran. The aircrafts raided back, widening the scope more and more until reaching, in 1974, a total war striking Zakhu and Qal'at Dizah extensively, dislocating hundreds of thousands of Kurds from villages to cities.

Then came the (Algeria Accord) of 1975 March 06, where Shah Iran gave up on Kurds, and the previous regime gave away half of (Shatt Al-'Arab). Here, the army did not slack Iraqi army launching an intensive, large-scaled attack on the Northern area where thousands were killed and more than 200,000 Kurds took refuge in neighboring countries, pushing them to negotiate a cease fire with the regime to avoid eradication. Their request had been rejected as glances from (Algeria Accord) had appeared. An area, stretching along the joint borders with Iran with a width of (5 to 10) miles, had been completely cleansed from its inhabitants [as villages had been destroyed] who had been relocated by force to residential compounds in the suburbs, and put under security forces' surveillance. The total number of dislocated inhabitants reached 150,000 Kurds in 1978, as some were moved to other governorates like Al-Barzani clan, far from being an exclusive example, which had been relocated to Southern Iraq where they remained until 1981.

Facing such incidents, the Kurds learned the rules of bitter politics and forces equilibrium in a ruthless region. Only the mountains, which ensure their escape and refuge, became their true friend who never abandon his fellow, as the tyranny, which the regime will exploit against them, will render their previous struggles with many governments none but "childish games". The confrontations were technically different then what they used to be. The tools of aggression, provided by the regime and used against them (Kurds) for eradication, were one in a million. The death toll augmented permanently, as, in the late seventies and early eighties, this devastative machine went on devouring huge numbers rather than few individuals as it became clear that this war do not renounce any taboo. Even the geographic borders formed another hostile reason, as murder and relocation continued nonchalantly at a time when talking about a Kurdish identity, whatever the explanations were, considered as act of separation in the eyes of the regime. All that and Al Anfal Operations were not officially launched yet.

((Al Anfal Signification))

"Al Anfal" is the 8th Sura [TC: Chapter from the Holy Koran]. Its instructions were mentioned in the first verse of the aforementioned Sura where God almighty told the greatest prophet [in the name of God all merciful all compassionate] "They ask you about Al Anfal, Say Al-Anfal for God and the Prophet. Therefore, fear God, reconcile your own, and obey God and His Prophet if you were true believers".

Al-Anfal: plural of "Nafal" pronounced as written, is the excess of things and designated to mention spoils of war. War means to invade the enemies and achieving triumph, eradicating them from their roots. Once the aforementioned is achieved, then spoils must be taken away from the foes of religion in a Jihad battle.

The choice of "Al Anfal", as a headline for the previous regime's bloody campaigns against the Kurdish community, was not by fondness of Koran's terms, as well as its verses and instructions. That regime, which was as far as it could be from religious principles, was searching for a religious umbrella to veil its crimes.

This appellation, "Al Anfal", had been used by the previous regime for Military Operations targeting Northern Iraqi territories in 1988. Yet, prior to this year, the aforementioned regime had a special agenda in the Northern area through relocation and demolishing the villages sympathizing with both Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party and Kurdistan Democratic Party. These limited operations went on until 1987, although Al Anfal Operations did not start until 1988 February, with the 1st Al Anfal operation and ended with the eighth (Al Anfal Closure) on 1988 September 06, i.e. after the Iraq-Iran cease fire.

Al-Anfal Operation Scope:

In 1987, convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was assigned in-charge of the North Organization Office, granted Ba'th Party State Command and Revolutionary Command Council's jurisdictions to apply their policies all over the aforementioned area, including Kurdistan autonomous ruling area, aiming to protect both security and regime, as well as guaranteeing stability and implement autonomous ruling law in the area, as per Article No [160] on 1987 March 29. The aforementioned convict had been also granted, via the same Article, a jurisdiction for all Military, Security and Civil state systems, especially those directly related to National Security Council and Northern Affairs Committee in order to achieve aimed targets. The Article stipulated the correlation between Executive Council of Kurdistan for Autonomous Ruling, Governorate governors, Administrative units heads affiliated to Local Ruling Ministry, Intelligence Systems, Internal Security Forces, Military Intelligence, and People's Army Commands, as well as all military commands within this zone, forcing them to abide by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid instructions and decrees, in accordance with the mentioned Article.

On 1987 June 20, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid issued a letter, numbered 4008, addressed to the 1st, 2nd and 5th Corps' commands, drawing the lines of how to deal vis-a-vis security restricted villages. Article [3] of the aforementioned letter stated travel ban, in and out of the villages prohibiting agronomic, industrial and livestock cattle's investment, starting 1987 June 22 and on. In such areas shooting is not restricted by any regulations as corps' commands lay down special strikes, from time to time, using artillery, helicopters and aircrafts to kill the largest possible number of those residing in, at all times (night or day). Those arrested were investigated by Security systems, executing any person whose age fall between 15 [included] and 70 [included] years old, after extracting information from him.

Al Anfal Operations' plan - as it had been identified from some convicts' testimonies, after investigation, according to the statements of some of the accused during investigations - was prepared at Army Staff headquarter. This plan is not related to the Iraq-Iran war, rather targeting, from the beginning, the Northern area including Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil, Dahuk and some other areas hundred kilometers away from Iraq-Iran borders, as well as some Kurdish regions closer to Baghdad than to the Northern area, like Tuz, Khurmatu, Sulayman Bag Sub-District, and Kifri region.

Al Anfal Operations were formed of eight operations breaking on 1988 February and ending September of the same year as we mentioned and as following:

The first Anfal Operations were breaking on 1988 February and ending mid March of the same year.This operation enclosed the area where Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party is located in Sargalu, Barkgalu, Haladan and Yakh Samar Sidar, Maluma, Balak Jar). This region had been bombed by various weapons, after being totally seized. Houses were looted and devastated as per Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid orders. Individuals, who had been arrested in the aforementioned regions, were directly handed to Northern Organization Office's commander who dealt with them in person. Years after the incident, many fates remain anonymous (Anfalized).

Second Al Anfal Operation

This operation broke on 1988 March 22-23 (nighttime), enclosing Qara Dagh and neighboring villages like Siw Sinan, Balak Jar, Takya, Jafaran, Qara Dagh, Mila Sur, Chicha Qala, Astil Saru, Hafawan, Kushk, Umar Qala, Sangaw, Shikh Tawil, Takya, and Timar. These villages were bombed by venomous chemical gases, launched from aircrafts, artillery and rocket launchers. Many inhabitants fell dead while others managed to escape through rock-strewn mountains. After seizing the whole region, destroying all signs of life (burning down the villages), Reinforced concrete had been placed in water springs while turning trees to ashes.

Third Al Anfal Operation

It broke on 1988 April 07 and ended on 1988 April 20. It concentrated on Garmiyan and neighboring villages like Taza Shar, Kula Ju, Haydara Sur, 'Alyawa, Di Rasha, Siw Sinan, and Kani Quydar, as well as Chamchamal and Qadir Karam. These villages witnessed the same fate carried on in the previous Anfal Operations, where the military forces intervened eradicating villages, burning down buildings, and putting an end to all signals of life, aiming to take control, especially after detaining civilians (women, men and children) and conducting them to Northern Organization Office to be treated as per previous directions.

Fourth Al Anfal Operation

After that the previous raids, carried by military forces over Kurdish villages, accomplished convicts' intended policy vis-à-vis the area and the Kurdish people, other forces were sent, within a large new campaign which stretched over 10 days, starting 1988 May 3, including Al-Zab Al-Asfal (Lower Zab) river's basin, and the villages situated at the vicinity of 'Askar, like (Gup Tapa, Haydar Bag, Chami Rizan, Kalisa, Kani Bi, Qizlu, Kani Hanjir, and Guma Shin). The region had been raided by chemical weapons, using aircrafts. The death toll reached around 1680 dead women, children and men. Many villages were totally eradicated, crops burned down, and destroying any sign of life.

Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Al Anfal Operations

The same sequence carried on in Northern Kurdish areas, including Irbil and Al-Sulaymaniyyah governorates, in addition to Kirkuk and other villages affiliated to Sulayman Bag Neighborhood and Kifri, Tuz, and Khurmatu counties. The situation remained the same until 1988 Aug, even after the Iraq-Iran war, because Al Anfal operations' target was not concerned, at all, by the aforementioned war. These operations included many villages like Akuyan, Balisan, Barjina, Faqyan, Khlayfan, Rawanduz, Sisar, and Sharista), as well as Salah-al-Din Resort where chemical weapons were used on a large scale. The operations carried on, over passing Irbil and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorates' borders, right toward Dahuk Governorate and its villages, after 1998 August 20.

Eighth Al Anfal Operation ( Khatimat Al-Anfal) (T.C: The Closure)

This operation is distinguished from the previous on many levels. It started on 1988 August 22-23 and carried on till 1988 September 06, meaning after the ceasefire between Iraq and Iran. No armed presence or conflict remained within the area but rather a concentration on civil inhabitants only. It involved Dahuk, near the Turkish Borders, as well as nearby villages, close to the governorate center. Chemical weapons were used side by side with conventional ones. Probably the major characteristic of this operation is the implementation of genocides on contained villages, such as Kurmi where 33 men were executed, and only 6 survived. Another village's men genocide occurred in the very next village, few meters away, without a reason, investigation or trial. As for detained women and children, they were first confined at Nazarki Fort - Dahuk governorate, and then transferred to Al-Mawsil. Other villages witnessed these criminal acts, throughout the operation, like Nafuka, Bamarni, Bawirki, Bisfiki, Birjina, Jamsiba, Ikmala, Jizi, Gund Kusa, Gund Kani, Hinsi, Kurmi and Ramila).

Al Anfal Operations' Consequences:

According to the policy, adopted by the previous regime vis-a-vis the Northern area, many consequences resulted from the eight Al Anfal operations. Below are the most important:

Prohibiting any human or animal presence, within prohibited zones and villages, starting 1987 June 20. Taking into consideration that most of Northern Iraq is agronomic, such attitude had resulted in banning crops harvest and trees' fruits cultivation (almond, walnut and all sort of fruits which are recognized in this area). This strategy aimed at Kurdish populace's starvation, rendering him a consumption-people, after being a productive one. The application of such order led to a waste in national resources, exposing the Kurdish people to harsh economic and living conditions, if not extreme and lethal.

After that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid became in charge of the Northern Organization Office, as the report previously detailed, he issued emancipated orders to all Military troops (1st, 2nd and 5th Corps) and Security Authorities to deal with prohibited zones' inhabitants, as he used to call it, in a way which contradicts with basic human rights. Those are the orders which allowed gun-fire, without any directions, day and night, meaning that death was massive without limitations. In addition, the aforementioned convict issued an order, along with the previous one, including that if any person from the inhabitants of the security prohibited area was arrested, aged between 15 years old (included) and 70 years old (included), he will be directly executed, after being investigated by designated security authorities, getting out information that might be useful for the government. All this had been implemented without juridical investigation or trial procedure. This means, moreover, that killing the Kurdish people was randomly carried, hitting on any person available within the boundaries of the previously indicated area, which Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid considered as prohibited for security reasons, even if such presence happened by mistake or coincidence, and even if these areas are way too far from the Iraq-Iran borders, way too far from the Iran-Iraq battlefield. Indeed, the convicts used this as an expedient to vindicate their bloody political diversion against the Kurdish population. The correspondence's text, issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to the aforementioned military troops' commands, clearly orders them to prepare special strikes, from time to time, day or nighttime, as well as artillery, anti-aircrafts, and helicopters' raids, to eradicate the biggest possible number of those still residing the area.

3. Such policy, adopted by the former regime, led to the coercive relocation of civil inhabitants from areas included in Al Anfal Operations, from their residences in Kurdish rural areas, where they were born and had lived, housing them in compounds, under the surveillance of a different security forces, against their will, exposing them to inhuman living conditions. First, he prevented any person, forcefully residing these compounds, to leave or move to another, even if conditional, as well as forbidding them from going to the city or any other place, to visit a brother for example, or relative, or any other reason. These compounds were lacking the basic requirements of life which match with the humanity of an individual. In a compound, which the court had been informed about while moving to Kurdistan, the rooms were very narrows, barely fitting for two persons though a whole family was forced to live in. The court had been told about another camp, Bahirka, in Irbil governorate. This one was none but a barren, faraway land, close to Irbil though pretty far from the city's suburbs. In that place the deported Kurds were placed without being provided with any supplies to protect them from the winter's cold or summer's heat. Irbil citizens used to supply these latter with tents and food, secretly, far away from the tyrant eyes of the security authority which was surveying the whole camp. Examples, upon what have been mentioned, are numerous.

4. These military operations did not only caused the relocation of civil inhabitants far from their villages and hometowns, but ended in a total devastation of these areas, burning down and looting whatever available, as well as confiscating the livestock pertaining to the aforementioned inhabitants.

5. As for individuals, men, women and children, who had been arrested in those villages, they were carried by the military forces, via military trucks and sometimes civil buses, straight to Northern Organization Office's headquarter, and headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, where they were handled. Those are individuals arrested by the aforementioned office as per the convict's directions. But, how were they handled? Detainees were gathered in a certain place where men were separated from women and children. The latter were moved to Tupzawa, Al-Dibs [in Kirkuk], Nazarki Fort [in Duhuk governorate], or Bahirka [in Irbil governorate] concentration camps. Men, on the other side, were dislocated to places such as Nuqrat Al-Salman detention camp in Al-Muthanna governorate. All were exposed to torture suffering from harsh living circumstances (hunger and thirst), as each person was given one or two breads maximum per day, drinking water from unhygienic containers with no healthy precautions whatsoever. In addition, those administrating those camps prevent the children from milk consumption. Due to such inhuman handling, tens of children, women and men faced death. Some corpses were buried in graves outside, but near the prison as it happened at Nuqrat Al-Salman camp, while others were transported outside the camp to be buried in mass graves which remain anonymous. The best proof is the latest excavation, implemented by the deputized Al-Samawah court, revealing mass graves pertaining to victims at Nuqrat Al-Salman camp. This discovery had been archived via CDs (Compact Discs) which had been displayed in one of the public trial sessions.

6. As per orders issued by Northern Organization Office, headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, concerning the raiding over prohibited zones with special strikes (meaning chemical weapons), most of the aforementioned areas had witnessed such operations, bombed by chemical weapons from artilleries, helicopters, fighter aircrafts, rocket launchers and missiles. Witness [NAME REDACTED] mentioned, before the investigative judge, that the area which had been included in the 1st Al Anfal Operation was bombed by rocket launchers holding toxic gases rockets. As well, he told the court about the simple precautionary method adopted by the Kurds; a thick textile dabbled in water and placed on the face. The same thing happened in villages included within the 2nd Al Anfal Operation which also witnessed toxic gases' bombardment via aircrafts, artilleries and rocket launchers, killing an immense number of civil inhabitants while another group escaped to the rough mountainous passage. Another identical incident occurred in the 4th Al Anfal Campaign where villages had been raided by widely concentrated chemical weapons via aircrafts killing around 1680 Kurds (men, women and children). Chemical weapons were vastly used against civil inhabitants in the 5th, 6th and 7th operations, as well as Al-Anfal Closure 8th Al Anfal).

7. We have previously mentioned that Kurdish citizens, who had been arrested after completion of military operations and complete seizure of their villages, were dislocated via Army Forces' military vehicles, and sometimes civil buses, to North Organization Office who handled them and passed them over to different security authorities.

These sides used to distribute them over specific camps, as per the area of detainment. Some had been dislocated to Tupzawa camp, others to Al-Dibs in Kirkuk where North Organization Office is located or Nazarki camp in Duhuk, Nuqrat Al-Salman camp in Al-Muthanna, Bahirka camp in Irbil, Shursh compound in Al-Sulaymaniyyah

Through torture and ghoulish treatment (exposure to famine and thirst, deprivation of health care, cutting down medicaments or milk for newborns carried by their mothers) lead to the death of hundreds of detainees. Many skeletons and remains, as well as identification cards, pertaining to the aforementioned detainees, were found in Al-Hadar mass grave, located at Al-Hadar area in Ninawa Governorate. As for the Kurdish detainees, who were mainly dislocated to Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp in Al-Muthanna Governorate, their status was not all better than those detained in Tupzawa, Al-Dibas, Nazarki and Bahirka camps. Captives of Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp were exposed to different types of torture, especially by the camp's commander (Hajjaj), or that's what they used to call him, who was executing merciless torture, without differentiating between a man and a woman ... an old and a young.

He and his guards used to rape women without any conscience or moral restriction. Hundreds have died due to these manners of torment, inhuman behavior, starvation and thirst, as well as premeditated murder. All had been buried in mass graves many of which had been discovered later on. The investigative court, assisted by international experts, was able, as per forensic evidences and procedures regulations, enclosed within Iraqi High Tribunal, to open the aforementioned mass graves and disinter skeletons and apply laboratory tests on them, as to emphasize, through investigation and tests, that these corpses which had been disinterred from mass graves in Al-Hadar and Al-Muthanna pertain to Kurds whose fate was anonymous (Anfalized).

8. We have already shown that Al Anfal Closure (8th Al Anfal) is distinguished from other operations by many characteristics such as its concentration on civilians rather than others, especially after implementing a ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, meaning no dispute is left in the area. The second characteristic is the inclusion of Duhuk governorate located at the vicinity of Turkish borders as well as many regions nearby the governorate center witnessing massive chemical weapons usage against civil inhabitants. However, the most important characteristic which distinguish the 8th operation is the occurrence of mass executions against men residing the villages which Iraqi Armed Forces invaded.

Among these villages is Kurmi where 33 men were executed few meters away from the city itself, without a trial or investigation. 4 men managed to survive these acts and their testimonies had been documented throughout the investigation and trial. Not that only, many plaintiffs and witnesses, who survived executions or mass graves, mentioned that military and security authorities used to take detainees from different camps, previously mentioned, straight to the desert via closed vehicle (no windows), to an anonymous site, blindfolded, where they were pulled over in rows and shot by people wearing the olive-colored military suit. At the moment of shooting, they all dropped dead in that previously prepared big pit (mass grave). A second, third group will be brought consecutively until the whole pit is filled up with executed corpses. In the end, soldiers used shovels to hide them, 6 feet underground. Through testimonies of plaintiffs and witnesses who managed to escape, it had been acknowledged that this desert could probably be Al-Ramadi Desert. Some survivors expressed interest in showing the court these mass graves' site, if they will be asked to, and they did.

9. Above all, the military forces couldn't get enough from controlling villages and demolishing, burning down and looting buildings, as well as arresting civil inhabitants, from men, women or children, dislocating them to North Organization Office and then to the aforementioned terrifying prison camps.

10. What happened after Al Anfal Operations?

On 1991 March, negotiations took place between previous regime's high officials, headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid, and the Kurdish Front. Among the discussed affairs are the Kurdish detainees all along the eight Al-Anfal Operations. After a long quarrel tackling these subjects, Witness [NAME REDACTED] asked Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid about more than 180,000 Kurdish citizens, and the latter nervously responded - according to the aforementioned witness allegations - that those detainees do not exceed the 100,000 only!!!

Transferred Convicts:

Chief of Investigative Judges in the Iraqi High Tribunal transferred via decree No [2], dated 2006 April 02, to the Second Criminal Court the following convicts: Detainee Sultan Hashim Ahmad and Adjourned 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, Saddam Husayn Al-Majid, Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz, Husayn Rashid Muhammad, Tahir Tawfiq Al-Haj Yusif and Farhan Mutlak Salih, to proceed with their trial by a none brief litigation as per Article [18 \ Third] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for year 2005, and Principle [32/First] of Evidences and Procedures Collection Law attached to this court's code and Articles [130/(B)], [131], [132/(A)-2], and [134/(A)] of the Iraqi amended Penal Trials Procedure Law No [23] for the year 1971, as per the following detail, as mentioned in the transfer's decree:

Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad: He occupied the position of First Al-Anfal Operations' Commander, and then 1st Corps' Commander where he had been directly in-charge of implementing Al-Anfal operations including the devastation of villages, buildings and worship sites, burning them down and dislocating their civil inhabitants, contrary to the law, confiscating all possessions and delivering them to North Organization Office's headquarter. Charges against him include:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C, and 5] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L)] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: He is one of Convict Saddam Hussein Al-Majid's relatives, was in-charge of North Organization Office during Al-Anfal operations, and is considered as the man behind issuing direct orders, to Military Forces, to murder, prevent plantation, and carry executions as per Decree No [4008], dated 1987 Jun 20. Charges against him include:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C and 5] by virtue of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L)] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Convict Saddam Hussein Al-Majid: Head of the bygone Revolutionary Command Council and former Armed Forces' General Commander, he issued Decree [160] for the year 1987, granting Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid full authorities of the president, Party commander, and Armed Forces General commander to execute command's objectives in the Northern Area. The latter issued orders to carry on Al-Anfal operations, as per the aforementioned granted authority, especially the order to use "special ammunition" [meaning chemical weapons] which can not be used unless after an order from the president himself, as it had been mentioned on the voice record. Charges against him are:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C, and 5] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L) by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn: He occupied the post of Military Intelligence General Director and Armed Forces General Command's member. Charges against him are:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C, and 5] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L) by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

5- Convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad: He used to occupy the post of Army Chief of Staffs Deputy for operations during Al-Anfal Operations, as well as a member in the bygone Revolutionary Command Council. Charges against him are:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L) by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

6- Convict Tahir Tawfiq Al-Haj Yusif: He used to occupy the post of North Affairs Committee's Secretary and then governor of Ninawa Governorate. Charges against him are:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C, and 5] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L) by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

7- Convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi: He used to occupy the post of North Zone Intelligence System Director and then Eastern Zone Intelligence System Director which headquartered at Kirkuk. Charges against him are:

Genocide: as per Article [11/First - Clauses (A) and C] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Crimes against Humanity: as per Article [12/First - Clauses (A), C and 5] by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

War Crimes: as per Article [13/Fourth - Clauses (A), (D), and (L) by virtue of Article [15] of the court's law.

Accusing the convicts on behalf of the court:

We've already explained a detail in the previous article stating that Mr. Chief Investigative Justice had transferred 7 convicts to this court, as follow:

Sultan Hashim Ahmad
'Ali Hasan Al-Majid
Saddam Hussein Al-Majid
Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn
Husayn Rashid Muhammad
6. Tahir Tawfiq Al-Haj Yusif
7. Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi

to prosecute them as per articles mentioned in the referral decision.

Via trials' result, after listening to the plaintiffs' testimonies, prosecution and defense witnesses, and reviewing the huge number of documents, files, compact discs (CD's) and audio tapes, and by acknowledging that the court is not bound to charges by which the Chief of Investigative Judges transferred the convicts, the same court, on 2007 February 20, directed to each convict a charge paper, excluding Convict Saddam Husayn Al-Majid who had been executed as per First Criminal Court's verdict in Al-Dujayl case, approved to be irrevocable by cassation court. The charge paper, pertaining to the six other convicts, included the following:

Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad: he was assigned, on 1988 Dec, Commander of Al Anfal Operations which had been headlined Al-Anfal First Operation. On March of the same year, he took command of the 1st Corps which implemented the other Al Anfal Operations. Accordingly, he had been accused of the following charges:

First charge: as per Articles [(A), (B) and C] of Clause [First] of Article [11] consisting the genocide which is stipulated in Clause [Second/ (A)] by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Forth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. That is due for giving orders to Military Troops, under his command in Al-Anfal Operations (First, Third, Forth and Eighth), to use all kinds of conventional weapons via aircrafts and artillery to kill Kurdish civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan region, causing physical and mental damages, oppressing them and subjugating them to harsh living circumstances such as shortage in food, medical and fuel supplies, killing their livestock cattle, burning to ashes their agronomic crops. All in all, he was implementing the plan prepared by Army Staff General and his deputy for operations, Convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad, which represents the Armed Forces' General Command adopted Policy to totally or partially eradicate Kurdish people in Northern Iraq.

Second charge: as per Articles [(A, B, C, D, E, F, H, Y, and J)] of Clause [First] of Article [12] consisting crimes against humanity, by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Forth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. That is due for giving orders to Military Troops, under his command in Al-Anfal Operations (First, Third, Forth and Eighth), to launch a large scaled, systematic raid against Kurdish inhabitants in Northern Iraq referring back to all kinds of conventional weapons, via aircrafts and artillery. As a result, civilians were killed; their villages were burnt down and devastated, as well as their coercive deportation and relocation away from their villages, carrying on the orders from the Northern Organization Office's official Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. This assault carried on by arresting Kurdish civilians, detaining them to be transferred to Tupzawa and Al-Dibs camps, by Military Intelligence Systems, where they had been inhumanly treated. These actions resulted in the death of many and disappearance of others. Many corpses were found, later on, in mass graves at Al-Hadar, Al-Muthanna, and other diversified places all over Iraq, as another immense number remain anonymous. All in all, they aimed to eradicate the Kurdish inhabitants.

Third charge: as per Articles [(A and B)] of Clause [Third], and Articles [(A, D, E and H)] of Clause [Forth] of Article [13] consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Forth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005, and Article [406/ 1/ (B)] of the amended Iraqi Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. This is due for using chemical weapons against opposing Kurdish parties which were fighting under the names "Patriotic Union of Kurdistan ", "Kurdistan Democratic Party", "Kurdistan Communist Party" and others. These weapons targeted civil inhabitants who did not participate in the confrontations, causing their death, deformation or becoming disabled. The Military Troops wrecked religious buildings, looted and confiscated citizens' properties, as well as relocating them far from their villages without any logic reason. The convict has been fully aware and acknowledged of such acts.

2) Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: He occupied the post of member in the bygone Revolutionary Command Council , as well as in-charge of Northern Organization Office following Decree No [160], dated 1987 March 29, within the period of 1987 March until 1988 September. This is the decree which assigned him as a Ba'th Party State Command and Revolutionary Command Council 's representative, executing their policies in the Northern Zone and Autonomous Ruling Region of Kurdistan. In addition, such decree gave the convict full authority imposing on state's Military, Civil and Security Systems to abide by his orders, especially due to the jurisdictions usually provided to National Security Council and Northern Affairs Committee. Kurdistan Autonomous Ruling Region's Executive Council, as well as Governorates governors, Administrative Units' in-charge which are affiliated to Ministry of Local Administration, Intelligence Systems, Internal Security Forces, Military Intelligence and People's Army Commands, all over Northern region, were placed under the convict's authority. All the aforementioned systems will abide by orders and directions as per implementing bygone Ba'th Party State and Revolutionary Council Commands' policy, as well as the latter Decree No [244], dated 1987 Feb 20, granting the convict the authority to suspend or dismiss whenever it is considered beneficial for carrying on Northern Affairs Committee missions and impose Revolutionary Command Council's Decree No [160], dated 1987 Mar 29. Accordingly, he had been accused of the following charges:

First charge: as per Articles [(A, B and C)] of Clause [First] of Article [11] consisting genocide crime and stipulated in Clause [Second/ (A)] by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This due for, within the period before Al Anfal, on 1987 June, as well as within Al Anfal campaigns in 1988, the aforementioned convict issued orders to military troops and security, intelligence and military intelligence systems, as well as bygone Ba'th Party organizations to murder Kurds in northern Iraq, causing physical and mental damages by using all types of war weapons like aircrafts and artilleries, oppressing them and imposing harsh living conditions (shortage of food, medicine and fuel supplies, killing their livestock and burning their agronomic crops) aiming to partially or completely eradicate them.

Second Charge: as per Articles [(A, B, C, D, E, F, H, Y and J)] of Clause [First] of Article [12] consisting crimes against humanity, by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This is due for, within the period before Al Anfal, on 1987 June, as well as through Al Anfal operations in 1988, the aforementioned convict issued orders to military troops and security, intelligence and military intelligence systems, as well as bygone Ba'th Party organizations to wage large scaled and systematic attack against Kurdish inhabitants in Northern Iraq using all types of weapons like aircrafts and artilleries. These perpetrations caused the death of many civilians, burning down and destroying their villages, dislocating and departing them, coercively, away from their hometowns, as well as detaining them in Tupzawa, Al-Dibs and Nuqrat Al-Salman camps. Moreover, the convict directly supervised, from his location in the Northern Organization Office - Kirkuk, the interrogation and torture of detainees and their execution after. Many captives were exposed to inhuman conducts leading to the death of many, burying them in mass graves. Some of these mass graves had been located at Al-Hadar - Ninawa Governorate, Al-Muthanna Governorate, and many other places all over Iraq. However, the fate of many other Kurds remains anonymous.

Third Charge: as per Articles [(A and B)] of Clause [Third] and Articles [(A, D, E, H and L)] of Clause [Fourth] of Article [13] consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 and Article [406/1/(b)] of the amended Iraqi Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. This is due for, the period before Al Anfal, on 1987 June, and through the operations in 1988, the aforementioned convict issued orders and directions to military troops and security, intelligence and military intelligence systems as well as bygone Ba'th Party organizations to use chemical weapons in northern Iraq against opposition troops which were fighting under different appellations like Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Kurdistan Democratic Party, Kurdistan Communist Party and others. The attack which was carried using chemical weapons, targeted the civilians who did not participate in the confrontations, leading to killing, deforming, handicapping, or assaulting their dignities, as well as attacking religious sites, destroying them, looting and seizing properties and dislocating inhabitants far from their homes and villages without any logic reason.

3) Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn:

He was occupying the position of a member in the Armed Forces General Command and General Military Intelligence Directorate's (GMID) director between 1987 March and 1988 September. The directorate's duties were to supply military references with gathered intelligence information concerning all the happenings in the Northern area, to analyze it and take suitable measurements, waging military attacks against the aforementioned area, based on these information. After carrying out raids, GMID reports back to Army Chief of Staff the military operations' outcome and efficiency as well as strikes effect, enemy casualties and others, in case of emergency. On the other side, it had been assigned to study the possibility of directing strikes with special ammunition [chemicals], against Northern Iraq, following orders issued by the Presidential Secretary. Thus study had been laid down and many suggestions presented, including the usage of [Special ammunition -Chemicals] and tracking down strikes' execution, precising the time and target, as well as the objectives to attain from raiding chemical weapons.

First Charge: as per Article [(A, B and C)] of Clause [First] of Article [11] consisting which is stipulated in Clause [Second/(A)], by virtue of Article (15/First, Second, Third and Fourth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This is due for the aforementioned convict has premeditatedly participated, in the period before and during Al-Anfal operations, in the murder of Kurdish citizens in Northern Iraq aiming to partially or completely eradicate them, causing physical or mental damages, exposing them to harsh living conditions. He was fully aware and acknowledged of what will afflict the Kurdish civilians and opposition as a result of such military operations.

Second Charge: as per Articles [(A, C, D, E, F, H, Y and J) of Clause [First] of Article [12] consisting crimes against humanity by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This convict premeditatedly participated in a large scaled, systematic raid against Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq, along the military troops, by using all types of weapons like aircrafts, artilleries and others leading to the murder of civil inhabitants, demolishing and burning down their villages, coercively dislocating and deporting them far from their hometowns, as well as civilians, moving them to Northern Organization Office. Many were exposed to inhuman conducts within the detention camps, lacking the basic human requirements. Others were executed inside Military Intelligence system [affiliated to GMID] premises, after being investigated, while another number completely disappeared to discover, later on, their corpses in mass graves at Al-Hadar area in Ninawa, Al-Muthanna Governorate, and a variety of other places. All in all, these acts aimed at the eradication of Kurdish citizens.

Third Charge: as per Article [(A and B)] of Clause [Third] and Articles [(A, D, E, H and L) of Clause [Fourth] of Article [13], consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005, and Article [406/1/(B)] of Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. The aforementioned convict suggested, during the application of Al Anfal operations, the use of special ammunition [Chemicals] in Northern Area, precising the targets, their timing and required quantity of chemical substances (Mustard and Sarin gas). The military troops attacked the area using special ammunition [Chemicals] based on the previously identified suggestion, causing the death of Kurdish citizens, deforming or handicapping them. Additionally, the convict premeditatedly contributed in the military attacks against religious sites, burning down houses, looting personal possessions, deporting civil inhabitants without any reason, acknowledging that he was fully aware of these criminal acts committed against civilians.

4) The Accused Husayn Rashid Muhammad:

In 1987, the convict was occupying the position of the chief of the Army Staff's Deputy for Operations and a member in the Armed Forces' General Command. He participated in setting down, along with the Chief of Army Staff, the vital military plans for attacking villages in Northern Iraq, to be later known as Al Anfal operations. He attended all meetings held for that purpose including conferences in Kirkuk, where the plan has been ratified, as well as assigning Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad for the command of these operations. He supplied military troops with everything needed (weapons and finance) to properly carry on these operations, as he was in charge of carrying on the attack and expand it, as well as following up with Armed Forces' General Commander's orders and those of Chief of Army Staff, throughout the operations. Upon that, he had been charged of the following:

First Charge: as per Article [(A, B and C)] of Clause [First] of Article [11], consisting genocide, as per Clause [Second/(A)] by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third, Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. The convict participated deliberately, before and during Al-Anfal operation, in killing Kurdish civilian residents in Northern Iraq, inflecting physical damages by using all kinds of weapons while attacking villages, subduing them to harsh living conditions from lack of food, medicinal and fuel supplies, aiming to partially or completely eradicate them.

Second Charge: as per Articles [(A, B, C, D, E, F, H, Y, J) of Clause [First] of Article [12], consisting crimes against humanity, by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This is due for Convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad deliberately participated in carrying on a systematic wide-ranged attack against Kurdish inhabitants in Northern Iraq, causing the death of civil inhabitants, burning down and demolishing their villages, dislocating them out from their areas, exposing civilians to detention, arresting and inhuman conducts which also resulted in the death of numbers of them, hidden and buried in mass graves at Al-Hadar in Ninawa Governorate, Al-Muthanna Governorate, and other graves. All these aimed at the eradication of the Kurdish populace. The convict was fully aware of the military plans, their follow-ups and execution, as well as their consequences

Third Charge: as per Article [(A, D, E, H, L) of Clause [Fourth] of Article [13], consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 and Article [406/1/(B)] of the amended Iraqi Penal code No [111] for the year 1969. The convict participated in using chemical weapons against Kurdish opposition in Northern Iraq, targeting civil inhabitants' lives, those who didn't participate in the confrontations, killing, handicapping, deforming and assaulting their dignities, as well as raiding on religious sites, looting civil properties and dislocating many far away from their villages, without a reason.

5) The convict Tahir Tawfiq Yusif:

The convict was occupying the position of Northern Affairs Committee's secretary, after bygone Revolutionary Command Council 's Decree No [674], dated 1986 August 19, and Northern Organizing Office's member, to be assigned, later on 1987 September 19, as a governor for Ninawa Governorate, between 1987 March and 1988 September. In conformity with Decree No [160] for the year 1987, the convict was in charge of the security committee within the aforementioned governorate, directly affiliated to Northern Organizing Office's official, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. He attained all meetings which prepared and planned for Al-Anfal operations in Northern Iraq. These operations resulted in a high death toll, burning down Kurdish civil inhabitants' villages, demolishing their possessions, as well as detaining them executing a large number, burying them in mass graves, among which some were found in Al-Hadar at Ninawa Governorate. Accordingly, he had been charged as follow:

First Charge: as per Article [(A, B, C)] of Clause [First] of Article [11], consisting genocide, as laid down in Clause [Second/(A)] by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third and Fourth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. That is due for he deliberately participated, fully aware and acknowledged, in setting down and offering special suggestions concerning the attack over Kurdish villages in Northern Iraq, later to be known by Al-Anfal operations. These operations which had been carried on by military troops, witnessed the usage of all types of war weapons, exposing Kurdish civil inhabitants to death, detention, and relocation , as well as subduing them to harsh living conditions, aiming to partially or completely eradicate them.

Second Charge: as per Articles [(A, B, C, D, E, F, H, Y, J)] of Clause [First] of Article [12], consisting crimes against humanity, by virtue of Article ([15/First, Second, Third and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. Convict Tahir Tawfiq Yusif, between 1987 March and 1988 September, deliberately participated in carrying on a systematic wide-ranged attack using a variety of weapons against Kurdish residents in Northern Iraq, causing the death of civil inhabitants, burning down and destroying their villages, coercively dislocating them out far from their areas and detaining them. He submitted many suggestions concerning the execution of a group of detained Kurds. The execution had been carried as he was a member of Northern Organization Office. All the persons who had been detained before or through Al Anfal operations were handed to the aforementioned office to handle them. Such comportment led to the execution and disappearance of many whose corpses were found later on, in mass graves at Al-Hadar in Ninawa Governorate where the convict was a governor and in charge of the security committee. He was fully aware and acknowledged.

Third Charge: as per Articles [(A, B)] of Clause [Third] and Articles (A, D, E, H, L) of Clause [Fourth] of Article [3], consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article (15/First, Second, Third and Fourth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 and Article (406/1/(B)] of the Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. That is, and during the mentioned military operations, chemical weapons have been used in attacks targeting Kurdish inhabitants and opposition, causing the death, deformation, or handicapping of many civilians, as well as assaulting their dignities. The convict was fully aware and acknowledged of such criminal acts against Kurdish civil inhabitants.

6) The convict Farhan Mutlak Salih:

In 1987, the convict was The Northern Zone Intelligence System Director affiliated to GMID. His responsibilities were to supply GMID with reports and information concerning the Northern area, as well as identifying targets.

In the Al Anfal Operation's period, Convict Farhan Mutlak was directly linked to Northern Organization Office, headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid following Revolutionary Command Council 's Decree No [160] for the year 1987. He was in charge of supplying concerned parties with detailed information regarding the aforementioned area. Based on these information, adding up the given reports by Eastern Intelligence System, raids were designated over Kurdish villages, known as Al Anfal operations, as well as detaining another number within Eastern Intelligence System's premises, under his supervision, until handing them over to Northern Organization Office, immediately after being investigated. However, many were executed inside these concentration camps. Accordingly, three charges had been directed against him, as follow:

First Charge: as per Article [(A, B, C) of Clause [First] of Article [11], consisting genocide, as stipulated in Clause [Second/(A)] by virtue of Article [15/FIrst, Second, Third and Fourth of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. This convict premeditatedly contributed, before and within Al Anfal operations, murdering Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq, after being raided by military troops, using a diversity of weapons, aiming to partially or totally eradicate them. This caused a high death toll as well as a demolition of possessions, burning down villages and killing livestock cattle.

Second Charge: as per Articles [(A, B, C, D, E, F, H, Y, J)] of Clause [First] of Article [12], consisting crimes against humanity, by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Fourth) of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. Convict Farhan Mutlak premeditatedly contributed in implementing a systematic, large scaled attack, using military troops and an open diversity of weapons, aircrafts and artilleries, leading to the death of Kurdish inhabitants, demolishing and burning down their villages, coercively dislocating and deporting them, detaining citizens and handing them over to Military Intelligence systems which in turn transferred them to the Northern Organization Office. These detainees were subdued to inhuman conducts in detention camps, lacking the minimal basic human needs, ending in the death of too many, disappearance of others, to be found in mass graves at Al-Hadar, Al-Muthanna governorate, and other places. All in all, the aim was to eradicate Kurdish inhabitants.

Third Charge: as per Articles [(A, B)] of Clause [Third], and Articles [(A, D, F, H, L)] of Clause [Fourth], consisting war crimes, by virtue of Article [15/ First, Second, Third, and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005, and Article [406/ 1/ (B)] of the Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969. This is due for the convict premeditatedly contributed in Al Anfal operations using chemical weapons against Kurdish opposition forces, hitting on non participant civil inhabitants, putting an end to their lives, deforming or handicapping them. On the other hand, he contributed in destroying religious sites and others, as well as villages, dislocating the inhabitants without a reason. He had been fully aware and acknowledged of the criminal acts against Kurdish citizens. The court asked all convicts, individually, whether they consider themselves guilty or innocent. They all responded, each one at a time that they are innocent.

Legal Articles' Stipulates Included in Accusatory Documents against Convicts:

We had already mentioned that the Chief Investigative Judge already referred, via a referral decision, the six convicts over to this Court for prosecution as per Articles [11, 12, and 13] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 by virtue of Article [15] of it. On the other hand, the court charged convicts as per Articles [11, 12, 13] of the same code, by virtue of Articles [15] and [406] of Iraqi amended Penal Code for the year 1969. To render the report more useful, and to clearly identify these articles' contents, we enclose it below, fully illustrated:

First - Genocide:

Article - 11 - First: for the purpose of this law, as per special international convention to prohibit genocide, dated on 1948 Dec 9, approved by Iraq on 1959 Jan 20, genocide means below enclosed acts which are perpetrated to partially or completely eradicate a group due to their origins, ethnicity, race, or religion.

A- Killing individuals from a given group

B- Causing sever physical or mental damages for a given group's members

C- Premeditatedly subdue a given group to harsh living conditions as an intention to partially or completely eradicate them.

D- Imposing measures to prevent reproduction within a given group.

E- Coercively dislocating children from a given group to another

Second - The following acts necessitates a penalty:

A- Genocide

B- Conspiracy for committing Genocide

C- Direct and public stimulation for committing Genocide

D- Attempts for committing genocide

Second- Crimes against Humanity:

Article -12- : Crimes against humanity means, for legal purposes, any of the below enlisted acts, if perpetrated on a large scale, systematic scope targeting any group of the civil inhabitants, while being fully aware of such implementations.

A- Premeditated Murder

B- Eradication

C- Enslavement

D- Relocation or coercive relocation of inhabitants

E - Imprisonment or harsh prevention from physical freedom, in a way that contradicts with the International Law.

F- Torture

G- Raping, sexual enslavement, forced prostitution, compulsory pregnancy or any other form of sexual violence on that level of seriousness

H- Persecuting any given group or specific inhabitants for political, racial, ethnic, patriotic, cultural, religious, related to gender, or any other reasons not legalized by International Law, correlated with any sexual violence on that level of seriousness.

Y- Coercive concealing of people

J- Other identical inhuman acts, which premeditatedly cause sufferings and extreme physical and mental damages.

Second: For the purpose of applying Clause [first] of this article, the following enclosed terms means the following, as it had been defined:

A- Guided attack against any group of civil inhabitants means a behavioral pattern which includes repetitive perpetration of the acts stipulated in Clause [First] of this article, against any group of civil inhabitants, as to implement the policy of a given state or organization which requires the application of such attacks, or to support the scheme of such policy.

B. Genocide means to premeditatedly impose certain living conditions as deprivation from food or medicaments, aiming to eradicate part of the inhabitants.

C. Slavery means conducting any or all appropriated authorities over ownership's rights, against a given individual, including the practice of such authority for the purpose of slave trafficking, especially women and children.

D. Coercive dislocation or deportation of inhabitants means to move given group of people, coercively, from the area where they legally reside, via expulsion or any other compulsory act, without any justifications authorized by International Law.

E. Torture means causing severe anguish and suffering deliberately, whether physical or mental, against an individual under detention or under the convict's control, acknowledging that torture does not include pain or suffering resulting from legal penalties or any relevant reasons.

F. Oppression means severe and deliberate prevention from basic rights in a way which contradicts with the International Law due to the ethnicity of a given group or people.

G. Compulsory concealing of individuals means arresting, detaining, or abducting individuals by a state or political organization, whether via an authorized permission, support, or turning a blind eye followed by a deny to admit preventing those individuals their freedom or to provide information identifying their fates or whereabouts, aiming to segregate them from law protection over a considerable period of time.

Third: War Crimes

Article [13] means war crimes related to this law as follow:

First- Serious violations of Geneva Conventions dated 1949 August 12, specifically any of the below listed acts committed against individuals or protected properties as per the appropriated Geneva Convention.

A. Premeditated murder

B. Torture or inhuman conduct, including implementation of biological tests

C. To cause, intentionally, severe suffering or inflicting serious physical or mental damage.

D. To cause a large-scaled demolition of properties, followed by confiscation, without a justifiable military necessity, in a way which contravenes the law abusively.

E. To force a prisoner of war [POW] or protected individual to serve in hostile forces.

F. Deliberately prevent a POW or protected individual from his right to have fair, regular trial

G. Illegal detention

H. Illegal dislocation or relocation

I. Seizing hostages

Second- Other serious violations of laws and customs that should be applied over International Armed Conflicts, in the steady course of International Law, and specifically any of the following actions:

A. Deliberately directing attacks targeting civil inhabitants, in their current description, or against individuals not involved in acts of war.

B. Deliberately directing attacks against civil targets including locations which do not consist military targets

C. Deliberately directing attacks against employees, establishments, vehicles or units' equipments used in humanitarian aid or peace keeping according to U.N. Charter, as long as these duties are worth the granted protection for civilians or civil targets, as per International Armed Conflicts Law

D. Deliberately launching an attack, acknowledging that such raid will result in successive casualties as well as injuries among civilians, or causing excessive civil damages, compared to the total sum of expected concrete and direct military gains

E. Deliberately launching an attack, acknowledging that such assault would result in a large scaled, long termed damage for the Natural Environment, and foreseen as excessive and obvious damage compared to total sum of expected concrete and direct military gains.

F. Attack or bombing, via any mean whatsoever, targeting cities, villages, residences, or buildings which do not hold defenses and are not considered military targets.

G. Eliminating or injuring a fighter who already abandoned his weapon or has no more self defensive tools and completely surrendered

H. Misusing the truce flag, enemy flags, military insignias or uniforms, U.N. flags, insignias or military uniforms, as well as special slogans correlated with Geneva Conventions which might cause the death and serious injuries among individuals.

I. Carrying out dislocation, directly or indirectly, by Iraqi Government or any of its systems (including, as to clarify, any system of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party), moving part of the civil inhabitants to any seized territory, or to dislocate or deport some or all of the seized territory's inhabitants, within the given area or outside.

J. Intentionally carrying out attacks against buildings, which are considered as non-military targets, appropriated for religious, educational, artistic, scientific, charitable, or archaeological purposes, as well as hospitals, and patients or centers for injured and patient's gathering.

K. Submitting people affiliated to any country, to physical deformation or any other type of medicinal or scientific tests which are not identified as medical, dentistry or hospitalized treatments, the thing that may lead to the death of the individual or exposing his health to harsh danger.

L. Murdering or injuring any of a hostile state or army's member in a perfidious manner.

M. Declaring that no one remained alive

N. Destroying or seizing hostile side's civil properties, unless the act had been justified as a war necessity.

O. Declaring the cancellation, suspension, or prohibition of referring back to law as to deny the hostile party from demanding their rights.

P. Coerce hostile side's nationals to be involved in war operations against their state, even if they were serving the hostile country way before the war broke.

Q. Looting any town or place, even if it had been occupied by force

R. Usage of toxicities or toxic weapons.

S. Usage of suffocating or poisonous gases, or any other gases, substances or identical items.

T. Usage of bullets which expand or flatten inside the human body like those with a hard cover that do not contain the whole bullet's body, or the nicked ones.

U. Assaulting individuals' dignity especially by a despised treatment

V. Rape, sexual slavery, compulsory prostitution, forced pregnancy, or any other kind of sexual violence, on that level of dangerousness.

W. Exploiting the presence of some civil individuals or others protected, to render some positions, areas, or military forces reinforced vis-a-vis military operations.

X. Intentionally carrying out attacks against buildings, medical units, transportation means, and individuals who use recognized signs correlated to Geneva Conventions as per International Law.

Y. Intend to make civilians starve as a tool of war, preventing them from vital nutritional elements required to survive, as well as hampering relief supplies, as stipulated in the International Law.

Z. Recruiting or registering children less than 15 years old in the national Army Forces or using them to participate effectively in hostile acts.

Third: Cases of armed conflicts, of any type, from the bellow acts committed against individuals uninvolved in acts of war, including armed forces' members who laid down their guns, or those who turned unable to carry on the fight due to an illness, injury, detention, or any other reason.

A. Using violence against lives and civilians, especially all types of murder, deformation, extreme conduct, and torture

B- Assaulting individuals' dignity especially the despised treatment

C- Taking hostages

D- Issuing sentences and carrying out executions without previous judgment issued by a regular court guaranteeing all acknowledged judicial rights which can't be put aside.

Fourth: Other main laws and customs' violations regarding non-international armed conflicts, within the steady course of international law, specifically any of the following acts:

A- Intention to carry out attacks against civil inhabitants, in their current description, or against civilians who did not directly participated in acts of war.

B. Intend to carry out attacks over buildings, materials, medical units and transportation medical units, and against people abiding by Geneva Convention's recognized signs, as per International Law.

C. Intend to carry out attacks against employees, establishment, materials, units, or vehicles used for humanitarian aid and peace missions correlated to U.N. Charter, as long as these missions deserve the protection granted to civilians or civil targets as per International Law for Armed Conflicts.

D. Intend to carry out attacks over buildings appropriated for religious, educational, artistic, scientific, and charity purposes, as well as historical sites, hospitals, and patients and injured regrouping centers, as long as all the aforementioned places are non-military targets.

E. Looting any town or place even if it had been taken by force.

F. Rape, sexual slavery, compulsory prostitution, forced pregnancy, or any other kind of sexual violence at this level of dangerousness.

G. Recruiting or registering children less than 15 years old in armed forces or groups, or using them for effective participation in war acts.

H. Issuing orders to deport civil inhabitants for reasons affiliated to the conflict, as long as it is not due for the security of the concerned inhabitants or necessary military purposes.

I. Murdering or injuring one of the hostile side's fighters.

J. Declaring that no one remained alive

K. Subduing people affiliated to the authority of the other side in the conflict, to physical deformation or any other type of medicinal or scientific tests which are not identified as medical, dentistry or hospitalized treatments, the thing that may lead to the death of the individual or exposing his health to harsh danger.

L. Destroying or seizing hostile side's properties, as long as such act was not directly imposed by war necessities.

Fourth- Personal Criminal Responsibility:

Article [15] - First: the individual who committed a crime within the court's jurisdiction is considered responsible for such act, as his personality, subjected to punishment as per appropriated law.

Second: the individual is considered responsible as per this law and Penal Code, if he perpetrated the following:

A. If he perpetrated the crime as an individual, contributory or via a third party, turning a blind eye on whether the third party is criminally charged or not.

B. If he ordered committing a crime and had occurred, legislated it, enticed for it, or urged it.

C. Contributing, instigating, or providing assistance, in any mean, in order to facilitate or attempt the crime, as well as providing the tolls of its implementation.

D. Contributing, in any other way, with a group of individuals, aiming at a contributory crime, committing or commencing it, as long as such contribution is premeditated and holds:

1- Either to support the criminal activity or group's criminal purpose, if these two were enclosed in a crime committed within the court's jurisdiction.

2- Acknowledging the intention to commit this crime, by the aforementioned group.

E. Direct and public abetment to commit this crime by virtue of genocide.

F. Attempt to commit a crime, starting by an act of intention, even though the crime did not occur yet, for reasons that the offender has nothing to do with, but will exonerate the latter from penalty if he tried to stop the crime. The offender won't be prosecuted if he willingly abandoned the whole idea.

Third: The official status that a convict may have will not count as a suitable reason to exonerate him from penalty or to diminish the sentence's degree, even if the convict was a head of a state head or member in the Revolutionary Command Council, head or member in the Cabinet, or a member in the Ba'th Party command. Remonstration of immunity is not permitted to get rid of charges for crimes enlisted in Articles [11, 12, 13, and 14] of this code.

Fourth: The Supreme official will not be exonerated of criminal responsibility over offenses committed by officials operating under his command, if this person in charge acknowledged or had reasons to identify such acts, or even if the commanded was going to perpetrate crime and the commander did not act as to prevent the occurrence of such action, or did not lift the case to appropriated authorities to endure an investigation and trial.

Fifth: In case any convict carried on the orders issued by the government or president, regarding the perpetration of a crime, this will not exonerate him from charges, though it may be taken into consideration while prosecuting if the court foresees in that an application of justice.

Six: Amnesties, issued before the implementation of this law, do not include any of the convicts accused for perpetrating one of the stipulated crimes.

Article [406] of Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969

Article-406: 1- Will be sentenced to death any one who premeditatedly murdered a soul, in the following cases:

a. If the murder is considered as preconceived malice.

b. If the murdered occurred due to the usage of poisonous, exploding, or popped substance.

c. If the aim of murder was dirty or in exchange for money, or if the offender referred to savage manners while perpetrating his crime

d. If the murdered is an offender's relative.

e. If the murder occurred against an employee, or authorized a public service, during performing his job or service, or as result of that.

f. If the offender intended to kill two persons and more, and this took place in one act.

g. If the premeditated murder had been linked to another crime of premeditated murder or attempt to.

h. If murder had been carried on as a proem to a crime or misdemeanor sentenced to not less than one year imprisonment, either as to facilitate, execute, render possible, or contribute in the escape or avoid punishment.

i. If the offender had been already sentenced for life imprisonment, charged for premeditated murder, and committed another one or commenced it, within the sentence's period of time.

2- Sentence will be execution or life imprisonment in the following cases:

A. If the offender intended to murder one person, but his act lead to the killing of two or more individuals.

B. If the offender was sentenced to life imprisonment in another case [not that mentioned in Clause of this Article], and perpetrated a premeditated murder during the sentence's period of time.

((Explanation))

By explaining the text is meant to illustrate its real meaning and reveal its content in a way that facilitate a safe adaptation on real tangible events for which law had been legislated. However, the explanation differs as per adaptation of legal texts on facts that are enclosed within penal code. The judge is cautious adopting a verdict which did not occur in the legislator's mind, because he does not search outside the legal texts, defining what is mentioned without adding a thing, or filling a blank. This is the meaning of narrowing down the documents explanations without stretching outside the legislator's will. The originality in criminal texts is that they constringe the explanation, the thing that impose a pause on each term, understanding its meaning as it is, without getting deeper into the spirit and content of such expressions if the opposite leads to a wide explanation contradicting the incriminatory texts, because the latter are none but restrictions shaping the individual freedom, as an exemption from the general rule "The root of everything is permission". And if this narrow explanation is a general rule in respect to "Crimes and Penalties' Legitimacy" , but this do not prevent reviewing and investigating the legislator's intention, as per modern life necessities.

On the other hand, it doesn't prevent elaboration if the purpose was to determine ways to exonerate from charge or notify a penal prevention, if the judge found out that the case is not illustrated in the text or if he doubted in explaining the text, transforming the confusion into a plus for the offender, deciding to declare him innocent, for any equivocation in a legal text must be taken for the convict's benefit.

Crimes' Legal Description:

The legal description is a main problem in implementing the task of criminal justice. Moreover; the adaptation [description] is the first step that any criminal justice operation should carry, from the moment a crime will be acknowledged. Therefore, legal text must be known to incriminate and sentence the act which we had been sure of his occurrence. If not matching description is found, we will be obliged, as per "Crimes and Penalty Legitimacy", to drop down legal charges. Furthermore, what we are concerned about is legal adaptation per which the trial process must carry on. This adaptation is highly important for, based on it, the convict's fate will be defined. It is true that referral decree includes a description of the crime, as well as the investigative report, but the tribunal is not obliged to follow such description, as it is possible that new elements show which were anonymous in the preliminary investigations which will change the whole course of action. From the other side, we must realize that the tribunal does not decide convict's innocence until all legal aspects had been considered. If it had been identified that his act is not enlisted under any Article, and could not be incriminated as in terms of law, then this court could not but release the convict, if he was not wanted for another crime. It is worth mentioning that the tribunal could change the legal description of a crime, even if no new evidences had been represented through pleading, alleged that it was not convinced by the description handed by the investigative judge.

Crime's concept:

Most of penal legislations did not encourage providing a specific definition for the crime, since the crime's content is variable depending on the crime's understanding, time and place, even if the tribunal intellectualism had included terms for each given crime, these definitions had changed from a legislator to another. Indeed, the best way to define crime, which can contain all the different terminologies and match up with them, as well as being identical to the principle of legislation, is "act or abstention incriminated by law which defined a sentence if carried by a responsible person"

Crime's Basics:

To say that there is a crime, specific basics should be available. Moreover; crime is categorized in two, the first constitutes the general basics of a crime pertaining to all crimes, differentiating between legal and criminal act in general, as the second is dedicated to special basics pertaining to each crime aside.

1st Principle - Tangible Basics:

Tangible Basics mean external behavior indicated as a crime, defined by what is relevant to senses. That's the reason why whatever crosses the minds of thoughts and desires, as long as it remained veiled (did not show in the tangible world) is not to be considered as a tangible basic. Article [28] of the Iraqi Penal Code identifies crime's tangible basic as "criminal behavior by committing an act which had been incriminated by law or abstaining of action ordered by law"

The tangible basic has three elements: Criminal Behavior (action) - Criminal Result -Causative Relationship linking the behavior to the result (harmful).

1st Element - Criminal Behavior:

This means external tangible action constituting the crime (Action). No crime without criminal behavior. As we mentioned before, the law doesn't punish only for intentions and desires as by describing it (Behavior) tangible activity, it will differ from a crime to another. It's defined in murder as putting an end for a human soul, and in robbery it is the seizure of others wealth. The criminal conduct is described as tangible activity (positive) when the offender exercise an action prohibited by law, which is the main principle in all crimes framing the criminal action as activity (negative) applied when the offender refrain from doing an activity imposed by law, such as a witness abstain from standing in a court of law.

2nd Element - Harmful Result (Criminal Result):

It means the consequences that resulted from the criminal behavior materialized by the aggression that hits a right or interest which the legislator estimated the necessity to be criminally protected. It is worth mentioning that the criminal or harmful result, as a tangible basic in a crime, doesn't always play a role in defining a crime, as well as basing the sentence on it. It is possible that the "harmful result" absent from a crime, but still the crime is considered occurring by law, such as the conventional crime where it is only necessary to agree upon the execution of a crime to incriminate all participant or contributory parties.

3rd Element - Causative Relationship between Action and Result:

- Binding the action to convict, as a first step, and then binding the result to the action, as second step.

So that criminal responsibility be attained, in a crime with result from the tangible side (like murder), the action committed by the offender must be a cause in the harmful result's occurrence. If the act was a crime than it is not enough to frame an action on behalf of the convict, from one side, and a harm hitting the one being aggrieved from the other, rather and above all both action and result must be linked. If this was not possible as by identifying a causative relationship between action and result, the convict in the previous example won't be asked then about the reasons of death but his responsibility will be limited to commencing a murder, as this description is the suitable for such scenario. Therefore, while identifying total damage's criminal responsibilities; it is vital to link the action to the offender, as a first step, and then linking the action to the result meaning that the action of the offender delivered such result. All this is when the offender is operating in solo, without the contribution of other external factors in reinforcing the damages. But what would be the solution if other external factors (previous, contemporary, successive) contributed, along with the convict, in causing harm in way which renders it hard to say that only the offender's action was the cause of such harm?

Examples:

Zayd stabs Bakr using a knife intending to kill him. Usually, the stab is not deadly but the victim was diabetic or suffering from a weak heart, he ended up dead (previous factor). The victim is transferred to the hospital for surgery but the ambulance vehicle, transporting him, crashes against a truck and the wounded died (present factor). The victim stays at the hospital for medical care and treatment but a fire erupted followed by thunderbolt turning the injured to ashes (successive factor). In all these scenarios, death did not occur due to the first offender only, but rather due to contributory factors (previous, contemporary, successive) which helped reaching such end. Here, it became necessary to search for the convict activity within these factors, extend of his responsibility over the end result. To resolve such dilemma we must tackle it from two sides: the first is theoretical while the second legislative. But, first of all we must start by identifying the meaning of "availability of causative relationship" as well showing the meaning of "Causative Relation Outage" and the effect of that in criminal responsibility, briefly.

Causative Relationship Provision

It means that the real harm is a result of the committed action or, in other words, the offender's action is the cause of such harmful result. The more provisionary this causative relationship, between action and result, is the more it became easier to completely charge the offender. So, if the result is "death" then it is a premeditated murder if the offender has the intention to commit murder, or it is a falsified murder, that's if the intention was not to carry on the action. If a permanent disability resulted, then the convict will bear full responsibility, whether it was premeditated or not, as per the degree of mistake commanding the attitude.

Outage of the Causative Relationship

It means that the real harm is not the result of the committed action linked to the convict. In other words, the action carried by convict was not the reason behind the caused harm rather external factors contribute to the convict's action delivering such result and then cut back its presence. When the causative relationship between action and result is cut back, due to the contribution of other factors, the convict won't be charged for caused damage. If it was death or a permanent handicap, the injury will be linked to either the action or factor which caused it, However, the convict will not completely get away but rather remains responsible according to the flagrance of its action. If he stroke or stabbed aiming to kill and the victim died due to a third different factor, the convict won't be charged other then for commencing a murder.

First: Causticity from Theoretical aspect

Lawmakers argue whether the convict's action is suitable to be considered as a cause of death, simply for being one of the contributory factors leading to death, or that such act must be contributory as well as effective in the harm's occurrence to consider it as a reason of putting an end to the victim, or getting injured.

To answer what's been mentioned, two theories emerged. We will summarize its content and what includes of ideas and legal interceptions.

A) Equal Causes Theory

This theory aims to equalize among all factors contributing to the occurrence of criminal act; in other words, the causative relationship considerably exists between action and result whenever the criminal behavior was proved to be one of the factors that contributing to its occurrence even if in small percentages (each contributory activity created the result). Whenever it's proved that the convict contributed in any manner in carrying out the death, it would become legal to say that he caused such consequences, without referring back to contributory elements. As elaboration, it would be sufficient to prove that death would not be able to happen without the intervention of the convict, to build up a link between action and cause, meaning between the victim's death and offender's action, which would never had occurred if not for offender's action. The caliber upon which such theory is settled will be clarified when answering the following question:

If we supposed that the convict did not commit his action, would death or injury have hit the victim? If the answer came affirmative then a causative relationship between death, injury and action. If the answer came negative then, in contrary, it means providing causative relationship between action and actual result such as death or injury. Accordingly, the causative linkage exists in the aforementioned examples even if the victim didn't die due to a chronic disease, ambulance crash, or an erupted fire in the hospital. Whereas every action is considered an equivalent to the other actions, so every cause is responsible for murder. The explanation is that general contributory activity, for all factors, change whole of the end result, while in such general contribution each factor lose its individuality, preventing to say that each factor delivered the whole result. If the convict injured another person to kill him and the latter was transported to the hospital where a fire erupted leading to his death, the convict will be charged for a full murder as by the following: If it was not due to the injury, and if it was not for the action exercised by the convict against the victim, the injured would not be turned to ashes. [We thing this theory is righteous and abide to justice, especially that it pull the apron strings around convict's neck so not to get away with crime]

B) Direct Causticity Theory or Suitable Cause (Sufficient)

It briefly means that some of the factors which join and contribute might be direct reasons (sufficient) for the resulted harm while others stand as indirect. Whenever it's decided, according to experience, that the convict's action was a direct reason for the result, the causative relationship will be attained between them. Whenever it's recognized that the aforementioned action was an indirect reason, the causative relationship cut down and then the convict will not be asked for more then commencing murder despite whether his will was devoted to aggression or towards putting an end to the victim's soul.

Second: Causticity from a legislative side (Iraqi Penal Code Stance from Causticity Linkage)

The contemporary legislator did not want to leave criminal causticity to juridical efforts or intellectualism confusion; rather he foresees a set of special and specific disciplinary texts, clear and straightforward, as Article [29] of Iraqi Penal Code in its 2 Clauses, as follows:

1. No individual is to be prosecuted for a crime that was not a result of his criminal behavior, but he is to be prosecuted for a crime that had already involved his criminal behavior along with prior intentions or present motives even if he is not totally aware of it.

2. Yet if the cause only is sufficient for such crime then the offender will be prosecuted only over the action he perpetrated.

The law text presented above is comprehensible based on the principal defined by Causes Equality theory a the causticity linkage is available even if a previous, current or successive factor intercepted the convict's action as per Article [First] of the aforementioned code, where all contributing factors are considered even and equal as per importance and influence, as well as the convict's action. In other words, each reason can be referred to as a cause without a distinction whatsoever. Therefore, the other factors do not veil the relationship between the offender's action and caused result, giving total responsibility to the offender as the text states "the offender will be asked about the crimes, if he contributed via his criminal behavior in its occurrence, even if an external previous, current or successive factor had been overlapped.

The purpose of causticity is negated after the interception of foreign cause (external) where, in this case, the offender will be asked only on the act he perpetrated. This means that the foreign factor which contain (far enough) the cause's events (without convict's action) will lead to a cut down in the causticity relation between action and result which rely on nothing but the foreign factor. In other term, the causticity linkage between action and current results, if sufficient reason contributed specifically to implement the result and was independent, based on efficient grounds, this means two conditions must be met to link between the result and foreign cause. These conditions are:

1. Adequacy of the reason itself to produce an outcome.

2. Independency of the foreign reason from the convict's action, not to be related to such action consequences. In other words, if overlapped actions with convict's actions are obviously important, to an extend rendering some invalid though not enough to attain the result, the perpetrator will not be charged for the crime which will be appropriated to the sufficient and valid reason's applicant, rather this insufficient reason's applicant will be asked about what have caused his action of consequences only, as per Clause [second] of Article [29] previously mentioned.

2nd Principle - Morale Basic (Psychological) or (Intention)

It is necessary, when acknowledging a crime, to identify the morale basic (or psychological), in addition to the other basics. Therefore, a crime can not be affiliated to an individual if this latter did not bear the intention to commence or perpetrated it - a vicious intention - as long as it is directed toward illegal acts which by logic and law implement that the applicant will be able to carry it, able to frame the criminal concept to commit such crime, via his understanding and planning, the matter which imposes an awareness as well as a freedom of choice in committing a crime or letting it go. In this mean, the intention or as some call it, the will is none but the strength residing in the soul containing both awareness and freedom of choice. If an individual directed his will or intention toward committing a crime, this intention or will is considered vicious. Therefore it must be incriminated as per what had been committed. For that same reason, some describe the morale basic as a penal responsibility or penal responsibility's basic capacity, therefore, to attain the moral basic, the following conditions should be available:

1- Awareness and distinction: meaning the readiness or ability of an individual to understand the nature of his acts and estimate the consequences.

2- Freedom of choice: meaning the ability of an individual to focus his will over a given act or abstain.

Where as the elements of the criminal responsibility are the pillars of moral crime's basics, its existence is not factual unless relying on two elements: Awareness and Freedom of choice. If any of these two, or even both, drop down the whole principle will fade away.

This is what made questioning individuals with mental problems or kids under distinction age [7 years old] difficult, due to the lack of mental competency or the ability to form a criminal concept, following their limited mental awareness, the matter which if does not suspend all its legal legitimacy, largely diminish its efficiency. The same conditions are applied on who had coercively committed a crime, or forced by certain conditions. He is not responsible for committing it due to the lack of freedom of choice in his case, leading to dropping down the morale principle as well as the whole crime. From all that had been presented, it became clear that to mention a tangible principle, the convict must be fully aware, by his freedom of choice, as well as acknowledging what he is doing as criminal act, aiming at it to execute his crime, the thing that must be expressed both scientifically and willingly.

Moral Basics Figures

When committing different crimes; the moral element is described as follow:

First: Premeditation - or (Premeditated act)

In this figure, the actor, while committing his criminal acts, desired the action which constituted a crime as well as his will to attain a criminal end. In other terms, a premeditated crime is equivalent to the actor's will plus the result's will. It is worth mentioning that premeditation, or criminal aim, may be (simple), which is the case where no drastic conditions are correlated, and can be (descriptive) when being affiliated to preconceived malice as per Article [33/(Q)3] of Iraqi Penal Code when stating (pre-decisive thought in committing a crime, before its perpetration, far away from temper of anger or psychological agitation)

Second: Mistake or (Unintentional mistake)

It is the second figure where morale is headlined, where the actor wanted to perpetrate the act of crime but did not desire its result. The situation is similar to someone who points a rifle to hunt an animal but accidentally shot a human being; he, the actor, wanted to commit the action (hunting) but did not desire the consequence. Therefore, the actor is unintentionally responsible. Iraqi Penal Code defined the unintentional figures in Article [35] stating "the crime is unintentional ... whether it was due to negligence, frivolity, inattention, lack of precaution, or non adherence to law, regulations and orders". On this occasion, the criminal meaning (intentional), as well as the mistake, could both be canceled if neither the actor nor the result were desired, as example: If someone sit down while holding a rifle in his hand, and a wall or person fell on him, a bullet, mistakenly, gets away and hits an individual. Therefore, the intention of perpetrating a crime is dismissed leading to the fall of the morale basic.

Third: Possible Intent

It is the 3rd and last figure which bears morale characteristics. By it, is meant to focus the actor's possible intent to commit the action constituting the crime, as well as his expectancies of the result, adding up his acceptance to take the risk in committing it, as example: an individual is driving his car, at a high speed, in a narrow, crowded alley, careless of people lives, accepting what may result out of his attitude. Accordingly, the Possible Intent elements are:

A. The offender's will to commit the act.

B. Expectancies of the result which occurred.

C. Accepting the risks while perpetrating.

In the above figure, he (the offender) is very close to the intentional (premeditated) crime. Therefore, Iraqi Penal Code considered it (possible Intent) similar to premeditated intention, as Article [34] provisioned "the crime is premeditated if the criminal intention of the actor had been proven". A crime is considered intentional if the actor expected such criminal results for such action and committed it.

The Original Actor and the partner

To distinguish between the original actor and the partner, in committing a crime, it is essential to come briefly across two needs. The first is the original actor and his definition, while the second being the contribution in a crime:

1st: The original actor in a crime

Article [47] of Iraqi Penal Code provisioned that it is "considered actor in a crime) any individual who:

1. Committed the act alone or with another.

2. Contributed to the perpetration, if it (the crime) is consisted of many actions, and premeditatedly carried on at least one of the actions.

3. Pushed an individual, via whatever mean, to commit the act constituting a crime, if the aforementioned individual is not legally responsible, for any given reason. The text frames 3 patterns of original actors:

The first includes the one who commits the crime alone, for, as example, while perpetrating the crime's tangible basic three individuals contributed to robbing a house, each one carrying a defined task like putting the money in a car prepared for this purpose. As for the second pattern, it includes those who contributed to the crime, without getting involved in the tangible basic. However, they execute acts which lead for the instigation of the crime. These acts, although not considered as part of the crime, is correlated to it, leading directly to the result. As example: An individual stopped a car and his comrade murdered its driver. The first, even though he did not commit murder by stopping a car, his act directly led to instigate the crime (harmful act), committed by the comrade. The third pattern is that which law intellectuals call "Morale Factor". In other words, it is the person who compels an individual, not subject for prosecution, to commit a specific crime. It is similar to pushing an insane or child to commit a specific crime. The original actor, in such case, is the instigator as the insane and child are none but tools exploited to commit the given crime.

As specified by Article [49] of the same Code, a fourth pattern in induced concerning individuals, considered as original actors, who contributed by setting up the crime scene while perpetration (of the crime or any act leading to it). Perhaps the main difficulty regarding the contributory partner is when considering him an (original actor) for setting up the crime scene, whereas his presence is a sufficient indicator of his desire of the result, as a sign of his wish to go an extra mile rather then contribute to the crime.

Second: The Partner in Crime

Article [48] of Iraqi Penal Code stated "is considered a partner in crime" who:

1 - Provoked it as it occurred based on such provocation.

2 - Agreed with another to perpetrate it as it occurred based on such agreement.

3 - Provided weapons, tools or anything else used to carry on the crime, while being fully aware, or if the provider helped the actor, in any way [Prepared or facilitative tools] , in accomplishing the task.

From the text, it becomes clear that the partner is he who does not directly participate in implementing tangible actions of the crime yet participated indirectly using ways stated within the mentioned text which can be grouped as follow:

1 - Provocation in implementing a crime

2 - Agreeing to commit a crime

3 - Assist in committing a crime

The penalty is applicable for those who participate in committing a crime, provided it was actually perpetrated in the aforementioned ways or in mere (agreement) even though the crime was not carried on. This occurs when the agreement is dangerous by nature, which is called "Criminal Agreement".

Criminal Responsibility Preventions

  • Legal Content

    We stated in accordance with what was presented, that the criminal responsibilities could not be applied in confronting the committer, unless he has a certain awareness and freedom of choice which both constitute the criminal responsibility factors. In the case of denial of either or both privileges, his case became impracticable criminally for his actions; therefore, we can say that what makes criminal responsibility unfeasible: These are cases which do not compete with application of criminal responsibilities as when both awareness and freewill are affected. These cases are even self originated related to the status of the committer as in case of minor age or mental - psychological abnormalities, or externally originated affecting elements of responsibility, especially freedom of choice, as in case of necessity or coerce. Hence, the grounds on which hindrance of responsibility are of a personal nature, which means correlated to the committer's personality and not his actions. Therefore, the action remains a crime yet the committer is not subject to questioning. It is not viable in accordance to this that the committer be questioned by (criminal court) but by (civil court) to compensate for damages resulting from his actions. Yet it is pointed out that this pardon does not go without questioning other contributors in a given crime as per Article [52/1] of Iraqi Penal Code, stating "if personal excuses, exempt from penalty, were provided ... against a contributor, committer or partner in crime, do not exceed other than those directly affected".

  • Description of Criminal Responsibility Impediments

    Presented within Articles [60-65] of Iraqi Penal Code, illustrated specifically for cases where law prohibited the committer to be liable for crimes he commits, as example if a case falls within this category such as, seeking new criminal responsibilities agreed upon, unable to persecute due to the lack of evidence (availability of cause) where cases may arrive that lead to the loss of perception of choice. It is not illustrated within the law in-order to limit scale of incrimination (such as Hypnotism) despite the fact that the law does not consider this an impediment amongst the impediments of responsibility which may be considered a guideline in cases where the provided loss of will due to it's relation to the cause.

    Illustrations of Responsibility Impediments within the above articles are:

    (a) Mental Disability (Insanity)

    Article [60] of Iraqi Penal Code stated "Legally not liable for questioning is he who at the time of the crime was unconscious or unwilling, due to insanity or mental illness, or because he was in a drunken or doped state, resulting from alcohol or drugs, given to him coercively or without his acknowledgement, or for any other reason proved by science that is a fair reason to lose conscious or will. However, if the aforementioned do not apply and is based only on partial absence or weakness or conscious and will, at the time of crime, the penalty will be lowered only".

    It is noticed, from the previous code, that it is not taken into consideration in the case of mental sickness due to being of mental or psychological nature, for if both illnesses lead to unawareness and lack of will then they are both considered equivalent to mental disorder. To apply the text's articles, it is conditioned that the individual lose his ability to perceive or chose, at the time of crime perpetration, to evade liability of criminal responsibility, only if that was the genuine reason from mental disorder, alcohol or drugs, provided it was (forced) upon him or given without his (awareness). It is noted that the mental disorder or doping substances led to his lack of awareness and freewill, it does not avert criminal responsibility yet only reduces it. In which case a (reduced justification) is applied on the perpetrator in event where mental disorder was the reason for non-liability for criminal responsibility as long as the individual was unaware of its reformatory nature and purposes in which case precautionary measures will be taken and he shall be sent to a mental asylum for public safety to protect the society from his danger.

    (b) Coerce

    Article [62] states "shall not be legally questioned who had been coerced to commit a crime, whether materialistic or moral force which he could not resist". From the aforementioned, it becomes understandable that coerce is of two categories: Tangible and Moral

  • Tangible Coerce

    Is a materialistic, tangible force, evident and tackling an individual's will, taking its freedom of choice away, as example: an individual holding a pistol pointed at another's head forcing the latter to sign a document or he will be killed. The coerce individual is lacking the will to decide which, and due to such circumstances alone, one of the responsibility's factors is dropped down. However, it is worth mentioning that forces caused by nature or animals, known as "unpreventable forces", as example: if a storm threw a man hitting another, causing his death, or someone riding a horse fell on a passing-by individual, hurting him. In both cases, the individuals are not responsible due to unpreventable forces which could not be prevented.

    It is, in all cases, conditioned, to preventing responsibility of the committer due to Tangible Coerciveness in which the individual was left with no freedom of choice to anticipate reason of such coerce and inability to resist the power imposed upon him. If it had been proven that one or both of the aforementioned conditions are invalid, the actor will be considered responsible vis-a-vis the law, due to the lack of coerces as a factor.

    Moral Coerce:

    Moral or psychological coerce is defined as threatening a person by vicious acts, or create a stance feared by the given individual, obliging the latter to cooperate coercively, as example: threatening a mother to kill her infant if she did not surrender sexually. Therefore, the female is not responsible for adultery. Examples are many regarding this issue, however, in all cases, it is conditioned, to deny the actor's charge due to morale coerce, that the latter be unable to resist the motive - threat behind committing a crime, as well as his unawareness to be exposed to such threats.

    (C) Necessity

    Article [63] of Iraqi Penal Code states (not be legally questioned he who committed a crime being compelled to by a self protective necessity or other like his money or that of others, as well as imminent tremendous danger which he didn't premeditatedly caused, and could not be able to prevent in any other way. All this is affiliated to the condition that such act, constituting a crime, is compatible with the danger to be wary of, as it is not considered, in necessities, his duty to confront the danger by law). We extracted from the abovementioned text that for a necessity case to be considered, instigating the application of its verdicts, two conditional categories must be available:

    First: correlated to the danger facing the compelled to commit the given crime.

    Second: correlated to the obligatory act executed by the compelled.

    Conditions Correlated to Danger

    1- If there is a danger threatening the committer's life and wealth or that of others, hence this person couldn't find a way out avoiding the perpetration of crime, or else he and his wealth will be endangered, as example: A person pulling a burned material away from his car ending up in burning another.

    2- When the danger is tremendous, imminent and actual not only expected to happen, for instance when a person throw his friend from the boat predicting the possibility of a storm after an hour, claiming that the boat will not hold two persons at the time.

    3- The committer should not be legally obligated to face the danger therefore a person in-charge of carrying an execution over the convict is not supposed to facilitate his way out by allegation of protecting the convict from being killed.

    4- The committer should not be the one behind the danger. In other words, the actor who intends to create a certain danger will not be exempt from criminal responsibility as per necessity, as example: if an individual sinks a ship then found himself forced to kill someone who rushed in front of him to take the surviving mean.

    Conditions Correlated To Necessity

    1- When necessity is the only way to avoid danger where the sacrificed interest is less valuable and important than the interest sacrificed for it. Otherwise, justifications of sacrifice will be annulled as well as the necessity.

    2- The necessity must be proportional to the danger, as aforementioned

    (D) Juvenile

    Article [64] of Iraqi Penal Code states "No prosecution must be carried against individual who at the time of perpetration were less than 7 years old". This is the same text of Article [Second] of Juvenile Law No [64] for the year 1972. For a child not to complete 7 years old is a fair reason to drop charges for doings considered as crimes by law. Maybe this is directly justifiable by the cancellation of one of the two elements related to responsibility which is "lack of awareness", as the child, due to his mental immaturity, is foreseen as consciously weak to a certain limit where he could not comprehend things in a way to make him fully aware of the nature and value of things, the thing that render his legal questioning inefficient.

    It is worth mentioning that the aim from dropping down charges due to minor age is affiliated to defining (proving) the condition (minor age) via official documents, or medical ways when the first are not trustworthy, or even not available, excluding the fact that some minors do have a level of intelligence fair enough to be fully aware of criminal acts.

    Impediments restricting and reducing responsibility

    Actually there is a penalty for each crime according to the value of its judicial responsibility, defined by the legislator, which in its turn is defined via a criminal penal pattern based as per the crime committed by the offender. The penalty increase whenever the mistake imputed to the convict was grosser and more dangerous. In the contrary, we find consequences that, if were correlated to the act, will decrease the level of penalty. These responsibility's diminutive or increased factors, some are subjective affiliated to the circumstances of committing the crime while others, or even the same, are personal related to the status of the actor.

    1- Restrictive Impediments:

    The restrictive impediments are known as "the reasons stated by law which put the committer at critical situation leading to increase the penal terms against him", as example: someone who commits rape must be sentenced as per penalty defined by law. However, if he committed the act coercively, like using violence, the case in considered as restricted impediment and the related penalty will be more severe. It is worth mentioning that such cases could be special defined by special legal penal articles such as coercive theft, robbing a residential place, or raping a relative. On the other hand, restricted impediments could be general not pertaining to a given character neither in the committer [personal] nor in the crime [subjective], meaning it imposes an increased penalty against any individual as long as such impediments are provided. Acknowledging, Article [135] of Iraqi Penal Code defined the general restricted impediments when stating "it is considered as restricted impediments the following":

    (A) Commit the crime by vile motivation

    (B) Commit the crime exploiting the chance of a victim's weak awareness, or his inability to resist, or under circumstances which do not permit the victim to defend himself

    (C) Use savage ways to commit the crime or mutilate the victim

    (D) convict's abuse of his position as an employee to perpetrate the crime or misusing his power or influence which both are due to his job.

    2- Reductive legal excuses

    These are situations stated by law imposing on the judge to abide down below the decreed bottom line pertaining to a given crime as per regulations and limits clarified in Article [130] of Iraqi Penal Code stating ...

    "If a reductive excuse was provided in a crime which sentence is death, the penalty will be dropped down to life or permanent imprisonment, then could be reduced to not less than 6 months imprisonment, as long as the law did not state differently", as per Article [131] of the same Code, stating "if, in a misdemeanor, a reductive excuse has been provided, penal reduction will be a follow":

    If the penalty already has a minimal, the court will not abide by it while estimating the penalty. Therefore, if the sentence is both imprisonment and fine, the court will sentence by either one. However, if it was unconditioned imprisonment (no minimal), the court will verdict a fine instead.

    It is worth mentioning that reduced excuses could be special or general; the general reduced excuses are those including all crimes as soon as it is actually provisioned, as example: commit the crime motivated by honored intention or under dangerous provocation by the victim. On the other side, special reduced excuses are enclosed in certain crime or sect as mentioned in the Penal Code's Articles [407] and [409]

    3- Reduced and exempted from charges' legal excuses

    Exempted legal excuse: is a circumstance, stipulated by law allow, which acquit the actor totally from punishment complying with the reduced excuse as both are defined by law and oblige the judge to apply them. The difference among them is that the reduced excuse confined on reducing the penalty while the exempted excuse extend to full acquittal from the deserved charge, as example: the amnesty stated by Article [218] of Iraqi Penal Code, or anyone who anticipated a crime, threatening the national security, and informed the government, or amnesty decreed in Articles [59], [3\273], [311], [462], and [462 (R) -Kidnap]

    A) Reductive Impediments and Circumstances:

    Reductive impediments get along with reductive circumstances as both imply, while being applicable, a reduced sentence against the executor of a crime. However, the juridical circumstances differ from reductive impediments, as the first (circumstances) are evaluated by the authorized judge, who derive them (evaluations) from subjective and personal case circumstances foreseen as contributory in formulating the actor's will, pushing him to commit the crime. The judge is free, while applying the reductive impediments, in forming his own ideology in prosecuting as no restrictions are imposed on him by the cassation court.

    Therefore, the reductive impediments are recognized for being not exclusively defined by law, as well as not obligatory vis-a-vis the judge, from where came its appellation "Reduced Juridical Circumstances" in contrast to what have been identified as reductive executions characterized as being applied by law under the condition of being identified exclusively, as well as obligatory vis-a-vis the judge at the time of application.

    Contributors' Responsibilities as of Crime's Possible Results

    Legal text [(M) 53 of Iraqi Penal Code] "punish the contributor in a crime, actor or partner, as per the sentence of the crime itself, even if it was not the one intended to execute, whenever the perpetrated crime is a possible result of the contribution which occurred".

    The principle in contributory responsibilities is that he is only questioned for the crime he contributed to, as an actor along with another, partner in inciting, by accepting or helping [(M) 48], but what is the verdict if the crime that the actor did is a possible result of the crime contributed to. As example: if two individuals participated in raping a girl, then one of them intended to murder her, aiming to hide the crime's features. Do both of them have to be questioned about the last crime? The Iraqi legislator paid attention to this issue and laid down Article [53], enclosing the solution that must be applied. Indeed, the act of the actor must be reviewed; if it was a possible result of the crime, the contributor is considered responsible, else only the actor is to be questioned. The results are considered possible if it was potentially expected to happen and normally the participant is supposed to expect all results that may happen in accordance with the flow of such situation. It's enough for results to be self expected, regardless if the contributor expected it or not, to question him over possible results, even if his intention was unlimited, as example: someone instigated his friend to take revenge, on his behalf, from another one. The friend went and stabbed him until death. In this situation, he will be incriminated for premeditated murder, not neglecting the fact that the general principle includes all contributors to a crime, not only the partners, stretching over to contain actors with others, as it is worth mentioning that for the contributor to take by the principle of responsibility over possible results is bound to the availability of criminal contributory conditions, as the affiliate contributor, for example, do not inquire the possible results of a crime perpetrated by the original actor unless he, from the beginning, premeditated (within the crime) leading to the occurrence of the aforementioned results considered as possible results for the crime he already approved on. However, the contributor in an illegal act, upon which a criminal result is imposed, will not be legally questioned.

    [Translator Comment (TC): Probably (SATTS M) means Article)]

    The Condition when the Offender's Intention is Difference from other Contributors' Intention

    Legal text [(M) 45] states that if one of the contributors' - actor or partner - intentions differed from that of other participants, each one must be prosecuted as per his intention. The principle established in this text is based on the rule which said that every contributor to a crime is not punished unless per his intention from the crime. As it becomes understandable, this principle is not related only to real actors, but includes all partners in a given crime, as the intention of a certain contributor may differ from that of the original actor, leading to a difference in intention, as well as in describing the crime (severe or light). As example: the real actor purposely intends to murder the victim, where as the partner did not have a previous set up (for the crime). Therefore, this strict situation is not applicable and the real actor get receive death penalty [(M) 406] and the partner will be charged of levity premeditated murder by lifetime or temporary imprisonment [(M) 405].

    Status of Difference between offender and other contributors' acknowledgement of crime's occurrence

    Legal text [(M) 45] states "if one of the contributors' intention (actor or participant) differed, or his acknowledgement following the intention of other contributors, or even the acknowledgment of that other contributor, each one must be prosecuted as per his intention and acknowledgement".

    It's presumed when crime occurs such as hiding robbed items, that one of the offenders participating in the hiding operation be aware of the robbery, at the first places. That person must be punished strictly as the others, who were unacquainted with the first offense, must be punished lightly.

    As example: if Zayd incited Khalid to hide items which had been robbed and the latter concealed them in his house, not knowing that these items are forcibly robbed, he will be penalized less than Zayd who knows about the whole robbery. (Review Articles [461] and [460] of Iraqi Penal Code).

    3rd Principle - Legislative Basic
    No Crime if not stipulated in a Text

    Article [1] of Iraqi Penal Code stipulated "no punishment over an act or refrain, unless based on a law which stipulates its incrimination at the time of occurrence, as no verdicts or precautionary measures must be signed unless laid down by law".

    [Translator Comment (TC): Probably (SATTSM) means Article)]

    Following such meaning, the legislative basic is the legal text which specifies the criminal violations (crimes) and appropriated sentences which must be applied, conditioned that the offender is defined as responsible. From this, it becomes understandable that the legislative basic's elements are:

    1. Matching between penal legal text and action.

    2. None provision of any of the conditions permitting such act.

    It is worth mentioning that a legal intellectual side foresees that the legal text [which is the legislative basic], must not be considered as a principle in crime, because the legal text is the one who defined the crime, writing down the law following this aim. In other words, the legal text is not one of the bases in a given crime but rather a condition of its existence. If it's so, as they say, meaning the legal text is a condition of crime's existence rather than a pillar, such adaptation headlines the text as the creator of a crime's tangible and morale basics, giving it a more importance than the basics of which the legal text was the reason for their (Basics) existence.

    Do Ignorance (or mistake) in Law and Facts Constitute a Reason for Tribunal Responsibility Refraining?
    (Ignorance or Mistake's Principles are the same)
    What ignorance means?

    Ignorance means not to know something. It may be partly and occurs when an individual completely overlooked it or when he could identify some parts among others. By mistake, it is intended to draw another picture totally different from truth so that the individual believes what he sees, though the truth is bloody different. So what is the effect of ignorance or mistake? What is the solution if the actor ignores the act's (he committed) reality or the law verdict? Before answering these questions, we must notice that ignorance might be included by law or in facts. Sentences differ depending on those variables tackled as follow:

    1. Ignorance in Law

    Legal text [(M) 45] states "No one can allege by his ignorance facing a verdict or any other sentence".

    All jurists agree, usually, that ignorance of law does not lift the criminal responsibility, whether it was related to premeditated or unintentional crimes and it is explained by " No one is considered a law's ignorant". The reason behind is that acknowledging the law is obligatory on each citizen. Therefore, law's ignorance is not acceptable meaning what it includes of articles, starting from the date of validation. Despite the fact that this basic principal is vital in the criminal law, the Iraqi legislator, to emphasize, clearly mention it in the indicated Article where he considered everybody acknowledgeable of penal codes from the date of publication, in the official gazette, as well as the date of validation, as such publication is considered a legal presumption, as per the acknowledgement of everybody of the aforementioned laws, a final presumption that does not bear doubts.

  • Unintentional Responsibility's Explanation despite Laws' Ignorance

    Violating the duty of being informed about state laws, trying not to get acquainted with know what articles are included, is considered, in fact, omission or incaution identifying, with no doubt, the individual's unintentional responsibility, for ignorance, by law, is due to personal negligence as the latter is a vital cause in such cases.

  • Intentional Responsibility's Explanation despite Laws' Ignorance

    In this situation, it seems that ignorance of law does not apply to the intent of contravention, consequently the logic impose annulations of the intentional responsibility due to the lack of criminal aim. However, the nature of criminal laws does not get along with such logical result because it is hard or impossible to be aware of all these laws. Hence, it had been agreed upon the law acknowledgement presumption rule regarding each person as no excuses are accepted so that no one gets away with his crime by allegation of unawareness of such laws. By acknowledgement is meant to show the righteous pattern followed by law as it never forgive an offender for mistakenly understanding the law, even if his view of ignorance of law had been shared by some intellectuals and jurists. As an example: if someone managed to rob an amount of money from his creditor to pay his debts, he is considered a thief, since his personal explanation is meaningless as well as his misinterpretation facing the legal text.

    Rule of law acknowledgement presumption scope:

    The scope of this rule, according to dangerous consequences, is limited to criminal laws only. This is clearly understandable as per indicated text which denies an excuse due to ignorance (in this law - Penal Code - and other Penal Laws). Therefore, ignorance in other law classifications, such as Administrative, Commercial and Civil Laws, forgive the offender as such allegation can be referred to dismissing charges. One of the French law applications, regarding such case, is that it rendered innocent an offender who found, as example, a treasure in another individual's property and took it as he considered such behavior a legal right. As he ignores that civil law permits him the half, as the other part remains the right of the land owner, the man took advantage of his unawareness, getting away with the criminal charges (theft). If the individual ignores Personal Status Laws as well, then all charges will be lifted such as a divorced woman (revocable divorce) got engaged in a sexual intercourse, thinking that she had been freed from marital bounds, although her ties remain until the end of the waiting period, despite the revocable divorce she will not be charged for adultery if her ignorance had been proved. Another scenario is if someone sold his real estate, his house, and after clearance, managed to take some statues, drawers, and mirrors considering them exempted from the deal, unaware that Civil Law identifies such items as part of the real estate, he must not be charged.

    Exceptions correlated to law awareness presumption:

    There are some cases where allegations of law's ignorance are valid as law recognized such reasons (in specific cases) lifting criminal charges:

    Coercion of Irresistible Force: the last part of the designated Article in the research includes a main exception for "non-accepting allegation for law's ignorance" rule, let's read the whole article: (M 1/37) "no one is alleged to ignore this code articles or those of any other penal code as long as such ignorance is not due to coercion of irresistible force". This means, if it was impossible for the offender to acknowledge the issuance of a code, due to coercive circumstances, he is not to be prosecuted if he breaches the aforementioned code. Justifying irresponsibility in such cases is supported by the non-conception of contravening a law which is not acknowledged (by the offender). A practical example: a group of people besieged in a city or village due to floods, natural disasters, or something alike. In such circumstances, an irresistible force prevents them from recognizing the state penal law. Therefore, they are to be discharged upon violation as per the legislator's clear text.

    Second: Factual Ignorance

    Factual ignorance is the lack of acknowledging the factual main basics constituting a crime, the conditions forming its ambiance, and the victim's character. Therefore, if an individual committed an incident ignoring one of the following pillars, is he considered responsible, criminally, as per a presumption of his legal cognizance despite what he really knows. The originality, in the case of factual ignorance doesn't assume the person's awareness; hence, the intentional responsibility will be annulled in some cases, to be replaced by an unintentional one, if the basics were identified. In spite, the issue needs elaboration as we say that factual ignorance focuses on one of the following:

    1- Unaware of one of a crime basics.

    2- Unaware of one of its strict circumstances.

    3- Ignoring the victim's character as each case bears its own verdicts.

    State of ignoring one of the main crime basics:

    The crime is constituted of general and special main basics. Therefore, if the person commits an incident, ignoring one of the crime main basics, he will be discharged from criminal intention. As an example: an individual fires a shot on a farm, hitting a person mistaking him for a wolf. The shooter will not be charged for premeditated murder. Another scenario: a pharmacist who spill poison in the patient's medicine taking it as the prescription If the patient drinks it and ends up dead, the pharmacist will not be charged for premeditated murder for the dismiss of an intention to put an end to the victim's soul. The third scenario is about a traveler who took the wrong bag, while in the metro station, thinking that it is his, is not to be charged for theft as per the dismiss of criminal intention. The reason behind dropping down premeditated responsibility in such cases is elaborated as the awareness of a human being (rather than a wolf), poisoned medicine or looting another's property is a main basic in each crime (murder, poisoning and robbery). However, if the intention, as per assaulting a human soul, had been dismissed, it will be replaced by negligence, shortage, non-precautionary measures, and omission. Hence, an unintentional responsibility, based on unintentional mistake, will be considered and the shooter, who murdered a human taking him for a wolf, will be prosecuted for accidental homicide. The same procedure must be applied vis-a-vis the pharmacist who spill poison instead of the cure.

    Crime's Strict Circumstance's Ignorance

    The offender may commit his crime and one of the strict circumstances stick in. Usually, this imposes a grosser penalty. Does this condition apply if the offender was unaware of them (strict circumstances)? The Iraqi legislator considered such issue in the following Article:

    Legal text (M-36) "if the actor was unaware of strict circumstance's presence, which will affect the whole crime's description, he must not be legally questioned about it. However, he (the offender) benefits from the exemption even if he was unaware of it".

    By analyzing the text, it becomes understandable that the offender will not be submitted to strict circumstance's responsibility, correlated to the crime and able to modify the whole crime's description, if he ignores its existence. As example: a servant stole fixed asset (watch) which belongs to his employer, thinking it belongs to someone else. The strict circumstance here is the fact that the robbery occurred from the servant against the employer's property is committed by the servant thought contrary that the stolen watch fixed asset. Hence, the servant thought, contrary to the truth, that the stolen item pertains to a foreigner. Due to the nature of such condition which will affect the whole crime's description, between light and heavy crime, the offender will be prosecuted as per light penal laws, as long as he ignores the strict circumstance. Another scenario is that of an offender who rapes the victim thinking the latter is bigger in age. A minor age in such offense is considered strict circumstance, changing the whole criminal description. Therefore, the offender can get rid of these heavy sentences if he proved to ignore the real age at the time of perpetration. As well, the relativity between the offender and victim in rape cases is a strict condition which can not hit the first unless he is fully aware. It is clear that the proof of unawareness is strictly limited to denying the intention, as per strict circumstances which can change the crime's description, submitting it to a heavier sentence.

    On the other side, personal circumstances which do not affect crime's description, limiting their influence on the sentence itself, are not essential if ignored. As example: the one who ignores his return or that who thinks he is under legal criminal age. In both cases, such ignorance can not be used because both are far from interfering in the constitution of a crime as per appropriated law.

  • Victim's identity confusion

    This occurs when the offender murder, conceived, a different person than the one intended to be killed, as example: if the actor intended to murder Zayd shooting him down to discover that this was the wrong individual. The confusion is in the victim's identity far from affecting the offender's criminal responsibility.

  • Pointing Confusion

    It occurs when the offender murders Khalid instead of his opponent Zayd due to poor aim. The sentence does not affect the actor's responsibility which remains considered, as the offender will be prosecuted for premeditated murder due to the fact that the crime, killing a living human being, occurred in all its elements while the confusion is caused by the offender's inaccuracy to point, changing nothing in the concept. That's on one side, on the other, the law imposes protection on all people whether Zayd was shot or Khalid, the offender must be subdued to punishment for putting an end to a human being, as the mediation of killing the other person is useless. The intention of murder is fair enough to draw all the crime's basics and prosecute him.

    Personal criminal responsibly in Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005

    Article (15)

    First- Any person who commits a crime, enclosed within the court jurisdiction, is considered responsible of his act, as in personal attribution, and subject to prosecution as per this code.

    Second- The person will be considered responsible as per this code and other penal codes, if he carried the following:

    (A) If he commits the crime as in personal attribution, by contribution, or via another individual, regardless whether the latter is responsible or not facing the law.

    (B) Order to commit a crime that occurred in fact, instigating, enticing or urging its perpetration.

    (C) Offer assistance, instigate or urge, in any other way, to facilitate the implementation of the crime, launching it, or even provide the criminal tools.

    (D) Participate in any other way, with a group of individuals, aiming at a contributory criminal, whether committing or instigating a crime, as long as this participation is premeditated and targeting to:

    1- Enhance the criminal activity or purpose, of a given group, if they enclosed committing a crime within the court jurisdiction.

    2- Acknowledge the intent to commit a crime, among a given group.

    (E) Public and direct urging to commit a crime as concerning genocide.

    (F) Attempt to commit a crime through instigating an act's implementation, aiming to execute the crime which did not occur for reasons the actor carrying has nothing to do with. However, this will be considered an excuse of exemption if the actor's activity prevented the crime from happening. He won't be prosecuted for instigation, as per this code, the actor if he completely abandons, willingly, his criminal intent. Third- The official character of an offender is not considered fair reason to exempt from punishment, neither to lighten it, whether the offender was a President, Head or Member in the Revolutionary Command Council, Prime Minister or Minister in the Cabinet, or a member in Ba'th Party Command, as it is not allowed to allege by immunity to get rid of criminal charges already mentioned in Articles [11, 12, 13 and 14] of this code. Fourth- The Supreme Head is not to be pardoned from crimes committed by personnel operating under his command, if he was aware, has doubts that the commanded may have carried such things, or had been at the verge of perpetration and the higher commander did not take necessary measures to prevent such acts or to lift the case to appropriated authorities, as to conduct investigation and prosecution. Fifth- In case any offender carried on an act as per governmental or higher command's (the offender's in charge) orders, he will not be exempted from excuse criminal responsibility. However, it may be possible to consider his case for lighter punishment if the court foresees in that an application of justice.

    Sixth- Amnesties issued before the validation of this code will not include any of the convicts charged for committing crimes already stipulated.

    To specify the criminal responsibility and its correspondence to aforementioned legal texts, in the submitted Article, as well as convicts' criminal perpetration (11, 12, and 13) stipulated in Iraqi High Tribunal, it is a must to review the following subject until reaching the suitable legal adaptation of tangible facts for which the court's law had been legislated, guided through all that by Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111] for the year 1969 and International Tribunal Law, as not to interfere with this code.

    The court foresees through analyzing submitted texts, especially Articles [1] and [2] with their Clauses [(A, B, C, D, E)] of the designated Article, which text stated "An individual, who commits a crime within the court's jurisdiction, is considered responsible and exposed to prosecution as per this code". The legislator goes to the equilibrium of all factors contributing to create the crime's result. In other words, the causative relation is provisionary between action and result, at the time of proving that the criminal behavior constitutes a cause of occurrence, even if its contributory role was minimal. In other terms, all factors, which contributed in creating the crime's result, are considered equal and covalent, as each factor is taken as a reason behind the crime's occurrence. Therefore, the actor, despite his role and legal - official description, is reckoned in-charge in perpetrating one of the crimes which falls under the court's jurisdiction, whether the offender was the Head or authorized (civil or military), a commander or commanded, whether he committed the crime by personal attribution, contribution or via another individual, even if the latter was not criminally responsible (for any reason), enticed, urged, assisted, instigated, or helped in whatsoever mean, to facilitate the execution of the crime, provided its tools, instigated or contributed with other individuals, aiming a joint criminal contribution conditioned by premeditation and effectively granting:

    1-Enhancement of criminal activity or purpose, of a given group, if this activity or purpose enclosed committing a crime within the court's jurisdiction

    2- Acknowledging the intent of committing a crime, among a given group. Under all circumstances, the individual will not be prosecuted for a crime within the court's jurisdiction, far from being punished, unless the tangible basics were provided along with intent and awareness.

    The criminal intent of a person is provided, when his will is guided to commit an action constituting a crime, aiming the offense's result which occurred, or any other crime, acknowledging that it will make results in the regular path of action (acknowledging that his act frames a legally prohibited action or a crime punished by law).

    Excuse Exempting from punishment as per Clause [Second/(F)] of Article [15]

    In addition to other reasons, exempting criminal responsibility, stipulated in Articles [60-65] of Penal Code, Clause [Second/(F)] of Article [15] stated "instigating a criminal perpetration through carrying out action aiming to commit it, (but the crime did not occur) for reasons the actor has nothing to do with, will be considered an excuse exempting from punishment if the actor performed an activity trying to prevent its occurrence or completion. Therefore, the offender will not be prosecuted because he completely, and willingly, abandoned his criminal project.

    What's the meaning of Instigation?

    Article [30] of Iraqi Penal Code defined the meaning of instigation as "commencing to carry out an action aiming to commit a felony or misdemeanor, and if it is stopped that for reasons the actor has nothing to do with"

    From the above text it becomes understandable that the provision of certain conditions is a must to include the actor within the exemption from criminal responsibilities. These conditions are:

    1- To commence carrying out the action is a must.

    2- To stop the action for reasons out of the actor's reach.

    3- If the actor performed an activity without committing or completing it.

    4- If the actor abandoned completely, and by his freewill, his criminal project.

    5- Intent to commit a felony.

    As the last condition does not impose difficulty because instigating is only performed in premeditated crimes. That is the reason why we will tackle other conditions briefly.

    First Condition- Commencing an Act

    It's undisputable that the implementation stage is a successor for preparation in which the actor would have clearly shown his vicious. Therefore, he will be prosecuted for a whole crime if the intended criminal result occurred, as well as instigating if the crime was stopped as per conditions enlisted legally.

    There is no doubt that the difference between those two stages (Preparation and Execution) is so vital, because when preparatory acts do not lead to criminal charges, execution is, on the contrary, an equivalent to punishment. To focus on whether a certain act is considered preparatory or commencement, there are 2 theories:

    First: Objective theory also known by "Materialism School":

    It states that the offender will not be prosecuted for instigation, unless he started carrying out the concrete action shaping the crime as per law. So, if the crime is constituted of many actions, instigation will be accomplished by committing or commencing by one of these actions. If the crime is constituted of one action, instigation will be commencing the execution of the action. In other term, the offender should come from actions intercepted within the crime's tangible basic.

    To differentiate between instigation and preparation, the theory states that preparatory act is not considered as crime as no necessary ties between both exist. However, the implementing act is a crime's commencement and a complementary part of it, which can not be separated. Following such tangible caliber, the judge must wonder whether the act committed by the offender is considered as a tangible basic element. It the answer came affirmative, the offender is the crime's instigator, or else it will be taken as preparatory and no charges will be issued.

    To elaborate the above practically, we mention the following incident: Zayd was caught trying to steal other people's money. The act, committed by the offender, is included in the definition of thievery's tangible basic (embezzling money). Therefore, Zayd is an instigator and must be legally questioned about the incident. But, if the money, aimed to be embezzled, is in a house, and Zayd broke the door, climbed the wall, or made a hole in the wall to infiltrate the house and reach the money, and was arrested before getting inside the house, is he considered an instigator? As an implementation of tangible advanced caliber, the answer is negative as breaking the door, climbing or perforating the wall is not included in identifying the embezzlement.

    Second: Personal theory (Self):

    This theory relays on personal criterion in estimating the reaction expressed by the offender, taking into consideration the dangerous peculiarity of the convict. This theory states, briefly, that it is difficult, to differentiate between preparatory and implementing acts, to ignore the offender's personal character of the committer. Carrying out the act is considered, according to this theory, legible when the offender perpetrates an act - thinking mentally - that it leads directly and immediately to the intended criminal aim. If such act was stopped, the offender will be considered as instigator. If the act revealed another truth it will be that the offender's volition is not applicable all along the criminal path, then it should be considered as a preparatory act.

    Difference between the two theories:

    The personal theory foresees in the act committed by the offender an evidence of criminal intention, as the subjective theory tackles the nature of the act itself as evidence framing its specs. Hence, differentiation between preparatory act and instigation, as per personal criterion, is correlated to differentiating between acts which do and do not lead directly to crime.

    Iraqi legislator stance:

    Analyzing the Iraqi text, appropriated for legislative definitions, indicates that the personal theory was the pillar in codifying it. The issue, which is considered as a penalized legislation, is the act perpetrated by the offender to commit a crime. Based on this, any revealed act with an intention to carry a crime is framed as instigation rather than preparatory act. So, it is not conditioned on the offender to commence an act intercepted in shaping a crime, but rather it is enough to perpetrate an act of criminal orientation to prosecute him.

    Second Condition: Suspended Execution:

    The second condition, which must be provided to have a penalized instigation, is the obligation of a suspended execution, for reasons beyond offender's reach. So, if the stop of carrying on with the crime is due to actor's free choice (no prosecution). In other words, commencing execution is carried by offender though the intended criminal result will reach the criminal result sought after. If the previous is totally due to his freewill there will be no punishment. However, if the situation occurred due to other independent circumstances, instigation is applied and penalty decided.

    Third Condition: If the offender made an effort preventing the occurrence or completion of a crime:

    In this section, voluntary deviation from complete instigation is tackled, described by an actor who perpetrates positive executive activity ruining the whole criminal intent, preventing the occurrence of its result. Hence, if he was able to stop his former acts and hold up the damage, then the disappointment of the attempt is due to the convict will, and in return he is not to be prosecuted. Iraqi legislator followed such opinion. As example: in homicides, the individual who throws his opponent in the sea aiming to finish him, then rescue him preventing his death, and to justify the saying of non prosecution is to be considered as of an instigation annulled by the offender's freewill and choice. For this to be adopted, the offender's actions which lined the commencement of the crime must be preventive, even after they occur, before formulating the intended criminal result. If it was not like that, which means not naturally preventive, but fair enough to carry the intended criminal result, but its effect vanished for reasons beyond the offender's reach, instigation is considered complete and punishable as it is useless for the offender to pretend not to do it again, as example: an individual shoots at his opponent one bullet but missed him (however, instigation had already occurred when shooting the bullet) or thief who desired to return back the stolen items. In the latter case, the crime already occurred and it is useless to try and fix the situation, even if the offender willingly decided to abandon his criminal intentions. The renunciation issue, as per law, means if the actor stopped, from his own-self, influenced by his will, from carrying on the execution. For the offender, to get rid of criminal responsibility, his renunciation must be a willing truth (by choice) occurred by itself. Maybe, the wisdom of non-punishment in such case relies, with no doubts, on the necessity to permit the offender to revise his own conscience, getting back from what he got involved in. Everybody has interest in preventing a crime instead of being charged after committing a crime as the reasons behind stopping the execution of a crime preventing its occurrence to three reasons; tangible - accidental reasons (external) which presses on the offender's will, preventing him from carrying on with his crime. It's influence prevents the accomplishment of a crime due to tangible barriers as an external force halting the offender from completing his job, or optional reasons (Internal) which render instigation unpunished. In other words, the deviation from reaching the target as long as the crime was not executed yet, as exemption from criminal responsibility, in this case, will be limited to instigation (in the crime which had been intended to be executed). The third category of influences is constituted of moral (psychological) and accidental reasons achieved via a factor influencing the actor's will, imposing another process as a new-breed factor emerges, encircling the actor though not rooted to his character. Due to these fluctuated factors, each case must be dealt aside, if the convict's will is able to refrain or if external factors are more effective. In the first case, instigation advances headlining the convict's will to refrain. In the second, instigation is reached and punishable. In other words, a comparison, in each incident, between the will's role and that of coincidence or coercive force, must be applied as well as a search in which of the two roles is stronger. In case of doubt, refrain must be considered voluntary as per the doubt principle illustrated for the offender.

    Responsibility of the Supreme Leader:

    From analyzing the text of Clause [Fourth] of Article [15] dedicated to approve the criminal responsibility of a higher leader - Civilian or Military - the following conditions must be provided according to International Criterion and International Tribunal Verdicts:

    First: The Existence of Leader-Subordinate connection

    1- The existence of a hierarchical official relationship in which the Leader is higher than his Subordinate. Special International Tribunal Court for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) regarding Symanza case, dated 2003 May 15, Article [401] where the Appeal Commission headlined this hierarchical relationship as well as emphasizing on the organizational chart within a civil or military establishment.

    2- The Leader should be in a commanding post within a Leader-Subordinate relationship.

    3- The Leader should possess actual power over controlling his subordinates' actions as included in International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) verdict regarding Oritch case, dated 2006 June 30, Article [307].

    4- The Leader should possess power to issue orders insuring his subordinates obedience to the aforementioned orders as included in International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) verdict regarding Blaskich case, dated 2004 July 29, Article [69].

    5- The leader should possess tangible power (Effective) to prevent and punish any crimes committed or about to be committed.

    Second:

    The leader should be aware of or had any reason to believe that his subordinates had committed or about to commit acts which can be categorized within court's jurisdiction.

    It will not be questioned whether the convict (Leader) acknowledges if he had enough reasons to consider that his subordinate had committed or about to commit a crime as no suitable or personal actions had been carried to prevent or punish the offenders. If the convict (Leader) issued such orders himself, it is vital to ask whether the convict tried to prevent or to punish incase he did not issue such orders, even if it was better for the court, under all circumstances, to take into considerations elements of awareness and failure in preventing or punishing. The guide which assures that a leader already knows or have reasons to know that his subordinates, either committed previously or will do, in the future, a crime (crimes), is the element of command's criminal intention since only assumption of knowledge form the center is not enough [(ICTY) verdicts] in the case of Oritsh on 2006 June 30 Paragraph (319), and incase of non-existence for a direct proof which confirms the Knowledge in the form of a document or a witness, for example it is possible to prove the (Actual) knowledge basing on any circumstantial lead. The Law of the International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) had considered the following lead that would guide to the existence of an actual knowledge. the type and scale of the crimes committed, periods of the committed crimes, participation of the Armed Forces, the number of the joint forces, the range of the Armed Forceps's participation, geographical locations of the acts, if members of the Civil Organization committed crimes. The nature of such crimes, if those crimes were on large scale, if those crimes were publicly known, the relation between the crime location and the Leader's presence location, if the location is within the Leader's authority, and if the individual who had committed a murder is under the Leader's authority. For more information, look into the trial Judgments of the International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Blaskish on 2004 July 29 Paragraph (57) of the Criminal Court (193) and due to prevailing conditions at that time. The Leader is assumed to be knowledgeable of acts committed or about to be committed by his Subordinates as provided in Paragraph (1/A) from the Penal Code (28) of the International Tribunal Court. Finally, the knowledge of committing a previous crime of an identical nature in an identical location; might be enough for the Leader to know and to conduct further investigations; (As proposed in the legislation of the International Criminal Courts. The Courts of Appeal Commission, International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the case against Dilalish on 2001 February 20 Paragraphs (386, 197, 196, and 195). The International Tribunal Court for Rwanda (ICTY) in the case against Baghlishmia on 2001 June 07 Paragraphs (46, 43, 42) and the trial of the International Tribunal Court for Rwanda in the case against Musima on 2000 January 27 Paragraphs (141, 148)

    Third: The leader didn't take necessary and suitable procedures to prevent these actions from being carried out (crimes) or presenting the case in front to the specified authorities for investigation and prosecution; this is the third element in the responsibility of the commander (supreme leader) and correlates with proving the existence of the leader- subordinate relationship, and the actual power within the authority of this leader to prevent his subordinates from committing future and panelizing them for their past crimes, whenever he had a full perfect knowledge as a (necessary condition) of the case when the leader is supposed to take necessary and reasonable procedures as just a duty. To proceed in accordance with that, the International Tribunal Court for Rwanda (ICTY) decided that the decisions which the leader must take are connected essentially with the matter of the leader's position in power in Baghilishimya case on 2001 June 07, paragraph (48).

    In a most recent decision made by the International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) regarding the matter of the procedures that must be taken, three standards are considered:

    1 - The actual control degree of the president on his subordinates.

    2 - Degree of the crime's danger.

    3 - Current circumstances (the leader is not required to do the impossible).

    The International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in Ortish case on 2006 June 30 in the paragraph (329) concerning the concept of breaching these standards and in case when the leader doesn't have the authority to prevent his subordinates from committing crimes in the future or panelizing them for crimes they committed in the past and didn't have definite information to be fully aware of those crimes and their seriousness, with no circumstantial evidence confirming that, then he will not be held responsible for committed a crime or about to be committed by his subordinates. But what will be the verdict if all those conditions are shown up in the leader who did not take the necessary measures to foil these crimes or present the case to the specialized authorities to make an investigation and prosecution intentionally or mistakenly?

    The premeditated ignorance doesn't make a problem for us because we are in front of the free will that is represented by the criminal intention which means the devotion of the offender's will into achieving the criminal event that is included in the law. Consequently, the discussion of the international tribunals settled on (the leader is not allowed to premeditatedly ignore the crimes committed by his subordinates; therefore the leader is fully and criminally responsible of the committed crimes by his subordinates. But, what will be the verdict if the leader did not take the necessary measures to foil these crimes or present the case to the specialized authorities to make an investigation and prosecution for being negligent?

    The article numbered (35) of the Iraqi Penal Code mentioned all the mistakes that could be imagined and enumerated some cases that could lead to the unpremeditated criminal responsibility stating (the crime could be unpremeditated if it led to the criminal result because of the criminal fault either this mistake is a negligence, carelessness, lack of caution or not complying with the rules, systems and orders). The basic of the criminal responsibility in such unpremeditated mistaken crimes is due to the offender's mistake that will cause a particular harm. The punishment for the mistake (in both concepts) is an obligatory and necessary matter as it is a defect in the will and choice. As long as the tangible action was performed by the offender's free will and choice, therefore his mistake was a result for not taking precautions to halt the harm that was resulted from that action.

    Consequently, the basic of the criminal responsibility in both premeditated and unpremeditated crimes is the normal human will. So, the criminal responsibility in the modern law must be as result of a freewill action which is a committed action by a human having a free and conscious will. Based on that, the bad will is existed either from the desire in doing the evil or from premeditatedly doing an action where the offender mistook in estimating the bad consequences that are resulted from this action whose perpetrator couldn't be punished unless he is mistaken. In other words, that criminal action has no meaning but a freewill act whereas the human is always mistaken if he desired doing both the forbidden action and its harmful consequence. The example is all premeditated crimes and their premeditated mistake base, it is also considered mistaken who desired doing the criminal action without the bad result as he didn't pay attention for its occurrence, and the example of the unpremeditated crimes is the unpremeditated mistake base.

    The Responsibility for the Unpremeditated Mistakes

    Criminal responsibility in unpremeditated crimes is based on the theory of the defect in caution and attention duty whereas the law comprehensively imposes an obligation for all the individuals to take cautions and pay attention in their behavior. So, the mistake is defined as a breach of the legal commitment considering that the social society which is organizing the human is obligating every individual not to assault others. The individual who doesn't pay attention in his behavior is considered mistaken. The law commonly determines the manners basics along with pointing at the necessary of taking the appropriate precautions that help in halt carrying out the dangerous acts. Hence the negligence in following this duty will lead to create the element of the crime. In addition to the law as a main source for the behavior bases, there's another source which is the general and technical experiences that the humanity gained during its development and advancement. The people in their daily behaviors practice their vocational and handicraft works in different fields. It's no doubt that they are all committed to comply with profession or handicraft familiar basics whereas the breach or carelessness in the compliance will be a mistake leading to a punishment as long as this mistake is a cause for occurring a harmful result.

  • Could the criminal be investigated for the expected mistake?

    In this case, the accused expects the criminal result that is a consequence of his freewill behavior, the thing that leads his carelessness in paying attention and caution to prevent it from occurring, however he could expect its occurrence and he was supposed to do and take it in to consideration. Consequently, he is mistaken because of not expecting the resulted consequence and his negligence of precaution measures to prevent its occurrence. When the person ignores expecting the consequences of his activity and mistakes, despite he was capable of doing so and was also obliged to estimate the consequences of his work, he then makes a punishable mistake. Consequently the result was expected and it was possible to halt it. Therefore the accused that is ignoring is essentially mistaken and the result is expected within the normal procedures.

    Standard of the Mistake

    The person is mistaken if he didn't take the appropriate precautions and attention in his manners but what is the criterion that regulates the extent of the required precautions and attention to be taken to get rid of the criminal responsibility.

    This criterion or standard is based on objective foundation and this is a conception for a cautious and reasonable person in his behavior if he is found in the same circumstance where the accused was existed at the action occurrence, he would behave just like the accused did or could behave differently. If the answer is yes or in other words, the behavior of the cautious and reasonable person is the same behavior of the accused. At then, it is supposed to say that the latter's mistake does not count. But if the answer is no or in other words, the behavior of the cautious and reasonable person is different from the accused behavior whereas he is characterized by paying attention and caution, then the mistake of the accused must be estimated on the basis of that objective standard is not always unlimited and the circumstances of the accused have to be taken in to consideration concerning the environment, culture and vocational, besides of the illiterate not to be equalized with the literate or between the villager and the city inhabitant, the personal circumstance of the accused should be take in to consideration like a disease or weakness.

    The Responsibility of the Commanders and other Leaders

    From analyzing the stipulate of clause (fifth) of the article (15), it's clear that the action which was carried out by the offender that caused the criminal result of any of the crimes within the jurisdictions of this tribunal will not be pardoned even if he was doing so complying with an order issued from the government or his designated leader either he is a military or civilian. However, in the end of the mentioned clause it allowed the tribunal when penalizing to take it in to consideration (reducing the sentence) if it sees that the presented circumstances and events and for achieving justice that the action of the accused in such case could lead to reduced excuse. Considering that the offender's action was based implementing an order issued to him and he had to obey the orders and regulations. But for the accused to benefit from such reduced punishment, the following conditions must be met, we can find it in the stipulates of article (33) of the International Tribunal Court's law, whereas the clause (Second) of the article (17) of the Tribunal's law allowed by stating (The tribunal and the appeal commission can benefit from the stipulates of the International Tribunal Courts verdicts when explaining the stipulates of article number 11, 12 and 13 of this law).

    The article numbered 33 of the International Tribunal Law - in the chapter - Orders of the Presidents and Law Requirements. Stipulates in this regard:

    1 - In case of any person committed a crime of those which fall under the responsibility of the Tribunal, he will not be exempted from criminal responsibility if his crime was carried out applying to an order from a government or a leader (civilian or military) except for the following cases:

    (A) If the accused person has a legal commitment to comply with the government orders or the concerned leader.

    (B) If the accused person was not aware that the crime is illegal.

    (C) If the illegality of the crime was not clear.

    2- Based on this article's requirements, the illegality is clear in case of issuing orders for committing genocides or crimes against humanity.

    The first condition of the aforementioned conditions may lead to the following question: Do we consider the accused person, who committed a crime within the Tribunal's jurisdiction, to implement an order issued by the government or his designated leader to carry on a duty imposed by the law that leads to a legal commitment which must be obeyed, and at result being included with the stipulates of article(39) of the Penal Code that states, "No crime if it occurred while carrying on a duty imposed by law"? Also, do we accept this pleading from the accused person to get rid of the criminal responsibility?

    The tribunal doesn't find a legal access to accept this pleading for the following reasons:

    1 - The stipulate of clause - Third - of the article - 17 - of the Tribunal's law even if it allows the validity of the Penal Code's stipulates when applying the ones related to exemption from the criminal responsibility, but it stipulated in the meantime not to contradict with this law and International legal commitments that related to the crimes under the tribunal's jurisdiction.

    2 -This tribunal's law is special law and will not be replaced with the General Law (Penal Code) during its application unless there's no stipulate in the special law and this is what the clause (First) states of the same aforementioned article.

    3 - In addition to the aforementioned, the phrase "It will not be exempted from the criminal responsibility" which is mentioned in the clause (Fifth) of the aforesaid article (15) is clear and decisive without confusion and leaving no room for interpretation in the article. Moreover, the acceptance of a light excuse for the accused - when applying the punishment -according to what's mentioned in the aforesaid article that states, ".. ..if the tribunal sees that it will lead to justice".

    The Punishment

    1 - Goals of the Punishment (Briefly)

    The achievement of justice requires the necessity of applying a punishment on the crime perpetrator as long as he is qualified to be responsible of his crime especially when he has awareness and freedom of choice. Additionally, the current definition of the international crime is not only representing an assault on the victim but also on the human community with its whole economic and social systems as well. The system of the national penal legislations currently depends on the saying that the punishment is not only imposed for the benefit of the victim and a satisfaction for him but it's also imposed for the benefit of the human community in the first place and considering the victim's benefit. The target of the punishment in addition to the aforementioned is not only causing pains for the criminal or revenge, but the goal is mainly to virtue him. So, it's said in the legislative, legal and doctrine fields that the punishment equals deterrence in addition to virtuous. The deterrence legally means preventing the criminal from committing the crime again by correcting and reeducating him to respect the society laws and joint life. Moreover, it is deterring the members of the society civilian through taking the punished criminal an example to avoid doing such crimes.

    2 - Characteristics of the Punishment

    The penal punishment is characterized by several points; we mention some them as following:

    (A) The legality of the Punishment (Principle of no punishment without a stipulate).

    It means the difficulty to apply any criminal punishment in all cases for any action whatever it's dangerous or severe unless the law does mention it in an article as it's included in the punishment law.

    (B) Equality in the Punishment

    The purpose of this point is to achieve the generality and comprehension of the criminal punishment through the obligation of its appliance. So, this punishment is issued against the crime perpetrator whomsoever his position, category, social post or financial status and etc.

    (C) Character of Punishment

    The consept of this principle is that the punishment must be carried against except the perpetrator of the crime himself, not any one else of his family members. It's worth to mention in this regard that this principle has already bases in the Islamic Shari'ah especially what's mentioned in the holy Quran verses in Al-An'am Sura saying, "No one is responsible for other's crime", also in anther sura of Al-Muddathir saying, "Every person is responsible of what he does".

    (D) The Judiciary of Punishment

    It means that the order of imposing the criminal punishments on the crime perpetrators must be through the judiciary only. This characteristic is named by the principle of (No Punishment without a Verdict), the issue which all the current legislations take from.

    Basic (65) Punishments

    The aforementioned principle of the procedure principles and attached proofs collection, stated on the following:

    First: upon issuing the sentence the tribunal takes in to consideration the mentioned factors in Article (24) of the law, also the following factors:

    A- Strict circumstances.

    B- Light circumstances include the cooperation of the convict with the attorney general or the investigation judge before and after conviction.

    C- Applying the rules of clause (3) of the Article (30) of the law.

    Second: The Criminal Court has to decide whether the numbers of the imprisonment sentences will be implemented by sequence or in interference.

    Third: counting the convict's detention period from his arresting date until extraditing him to the Iraqi High Tribunal or to the trial or as result of the cassation. The detention period by other sovereign state government will not be included unless that state is working officially according to recommendation of the Cabinet or to the successor government, with taking into consideration the return of the sovereignty in 2004 Jun 01.

    We previously mentioned the special reasons of the strict circumstances and the lightning circumstances for the criminal responsibilities as stipulated in the Iraqi Penal Code and that the tribunal must take into consideration those factors when penalizing. Therefore the tribunal sees that it is necessary in addition to what was mentioned to act upon what is decided of the lightening or intensifying factors from the criminal responsibility stipulated in International Tribunal Courts. The (1st) clause of Article (78) of the basic system for International Tribunal Court indicated the following regarding the punishment determination:

    1- In determining the punishment the tribunal is considering factors such as seriousness of the crime and the convict's special circumstances and that's according to the procedural and evidentiary rules.

    Complying by the mentioned stipulate, and what was stated in the rule No (145) of the procedural rule for the mentioned tribunal regarding the circumstances which lightening or intensifying the criminal responsibility whether it was related to the convict or to the crime its self such as its magnitude or seriousness, the extent of the damage particularly causing to the victim and his family, the nature of the illegal committed behavior, the means used for committing the crime, the extent of the convict's intent and participation, the circumstances related to the method, time, place and the convict's age and his social and economic status.

    In additional to the above mentioned factors, the clause (2) of the mentioned Rule stipulated to takes the followings into consideration and according to the necessity:

    A- The lightening circumstances:

    1- The circumstances which doesn't form an enough base to remove the criminal responsibility such as (inability) or (coercion).

    2- The convict's behavior after committing the crime including his effort to compensate the victim or to cooperate with the tribunal.

    B- The intensifying circumstances:

    1- Any past criminal convection in crimes of the court's jurisdiction or identical to it.

    2- Abusing the authority or the official position.

    3- Committing the crime with extra violence or many were victimized.

    4- Committing the crime if the victim was bared from any self defense mean.

    5- Committing the crime with a motive implying discrimination according to any of the mentioned bases in (3rd) clause of Article (21).

    6- Any non-mentioned circumstances but considered identical to the abovementioned according to its nature.

    To be mentioned that clause (3) of Article (21) of the International Tribunal Court basic rule indicated that (Application and interpretation of the law for this Article must go consistent with the international approved human rights and have to be free from any harmful discrimination based on reasons such as gender as known in clause (3) of Article (7) or age, race, color, language, religion, belief, political or non-political opinion, national origin, ethnic, social, wealth, birth and any other situation.

    "Summary of the Plaintiffs Statements"

    1. The Plaintiff ' [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1953
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Irbil, Shaqlawa County, Balisan.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    In the after noon and around 0615 hours dated 1987 April 16, the villagers came back to their houses and the livestock cattle also. A group of aircrafts were above (Balisan) at a sudden and they were (8-12) aircrafts which started bombarding Balisan and (Shaykh Wasanan) villages. The sound of explosives was low and the smoking spread in Balisan Valley. We smelt strange aromas, such as garlic and rotten apples, and after few minutes the side effects started to appear on the villagers where their eyes started to turn red and they started vomiting. After the sunset, helicopters came and attacked mountains tops which I don't know if the attack was by chemical weapon or not? We escaped to the mountains because we were afraid of another attack. When we arrived to the mountains at night, my family and I lost our sight and our bodies were burnt God with us. We asked the help of (Darsha) villagers and they helped us and carried us by the agricultural tractors. We were not capable of seeing but hearing the voices of bombing. They took us to (Bitwata) village where we received medical treatment and to (Ranya) then to (Al-Sulaymaniyyah). They took us to the hospital in Al-Sulaymaniyyah and took our official documents then they transferred us to one of our relatives' house but because of our bad health condition they took us back again to the hospital. After few days we knew that we are infected from the chemical weapons and they kept us in the hospital by authorities whom I don't know about. My health improved later on and I started to see. One of the Medical Aids took us out of the hospital and I complain against the roller of Iraq issuing the orders.

    2. The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1961
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Irbil, Shaqlawa, Balisan.

    She stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    On 1987 April 16, a group of (8-12) aircrafts started bombing our village. The sound of explosives was low and the smoke was black with aromas. When the helicopter came and attacked the village and the regions surrounding it from the mountains to prevent people from reaching the mountains, the villages lost their sight and they started vomiting. At 2300 hours, it started to rain and if the sky didn't rain many villagers would probably be dead. The villagers were screaming until the morning, we escaped to the mountains where we stayed there until the morning in one of the caves. My children were screaming because of starvation and I was wounded. We were transferred by the tractors to (Ranya) region and the view was as it's the resurrection day in Ranya. The people of (Ranya) gave us medical treatments and when the authorities knew about the help we are getting from the people, then, they took us to Irbil region. I went to the hospital for medical treatment and I stayed there for 10 minutes then they took us to (Rashkin) camp where we were detained there and stayed there for 9 days without medical treatment. I would like to mention the names of my family members who were lost and (anfalized) in these operations to the Court where the fate of our lost members is still unknown and some of them are my brother [NAME REDACTED], my son [NAME REDACTED]who's age was 3 and half years old and my niece [NAME REDACTED] where all of them were anfalized with unknown fate. Men and women were separated in the 9th day and men were carried by the vehicles and took them to an unknown side. While they kept the women there until noon then they carried us by IVA vehicles and took us to (Khalifan) camp where we were released. We came back to our village and we found it ruined and the animals were dead. I would like to mention the names of individuals passed away during the attack on Balisan village and they are (my uncle [NAME REDACTED], my uncle [NAME REDACTED]). I built a hut in our village and we lived there. Later on, (Al-Anfal Operation) started again and they attacked the village and men started to escape to the mountains. I request a complain against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and his Lieutenants.

    3. The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1950
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Irbil, Shaqlawa, Balisan.

    She stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    On Thursday around 1600 hours I was at home planting, but I do not remember the date because I am an illiterate woman, our village was attacked by aircrafts. We escaped to the shelters until the attack was over and as a result we started vomiting and our eyes filled with tears. We stayed there until the night then they told us the government will attack again so we went to the caves and the cave we hided in named by [NAME REDACTED]. We lost our sight and we stayed there for the next day until the villagers of (Bitwata) came and helped us. They took us to the village by agricultural tractors and gave us medical aids. In the next day we were sent to Irbil and to the Security Directorate but I don't know who sent us there. They detained us for 8 days there where they separated men and women. They took us after that to (Khalifan) region where they released us there, but regarding the fate of men is still unknown (anfalized) and here are the names of my relatives (my brothers [NAME REDACTED], my father, my uncle [NAME REDACTED], my husband [NAME REDACTED], my son [NAME REDACTED]and my cousin [NAME REDACTED]). I lost 3 cousins in the prison [NAME REDACTED] as well as my mother ([NAME REDACTED]), my uncle's wife ([NAME REDACTED]) and their fate is still unknown. I request for complain against Saddam Hussein and everyone participated in the crime committed against them.

    4. The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1961
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Irbil, Shaqlawa, Balisan village.

    She stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    The villagers of our village were busy planting, dated 1987 April 16, and I used to live with my family that consists of 5 children in addition to my husband and his uncle ([NAME REDACTED]). While we were sitting at home in the after noon and I was busy preparing dinner, my husband came and I heard the sound of the aircrafts so I went with my husband and children to the shelter. I didn't see the aircrafts but I heard the attack and after that I smelt an aroma like the rotten apples. At the sunset, our health started to worsen where I started to vomit as well as my children then we knew that the weapon we were attacked by is a chemical weapon and my body started to burn. We were informed that the army started reinforcing to attack our village and the villagers started to leave the village taking food and medicine with them. During that time, helicopters came and attacked the mountains instead the village to hit the villagers heading towards the mountains. I went to the caves with my children and we were vomiting, my 5 children lost their sight, my leg was burnt, my body was burnt totally and my feet. We stayed one night in the cave and we lost our sight. In the cave next to us is the family of the husband of my father's aunt who is called ([NAME REDACTED]) where he could see a little so he went to (Dirashit) village and told the villagers about what happened. They came by the agricultural tractors to rescue us and took us while we were not able of seeing but hearing. I was screaming by saying ''do not take my children from me''. They took us to (Saru Chawa Bitwata) village where they gave us medical treatment then they took us to (Ranya) hospital. I lost my husband and his uncle there. They put me and my children in a room in which I don't know who did that. We saw in the hospital the villagers of (Shaykh Wasanan) village that were attacked by the chemical weapons. The doctors and (Ranya) inhabitants gave us medications there. When the government knew about us, they transferred us to (Irbil) where they took us to the hospital and we stayed there for 15 minutes then they took us to the jail. We stayed there with no medications or any medical aid where my health and my children's were really bad. After 9 days they gathered us and photographed us in the jail by a group of soldiers. They separated men, women and children and I have a paper that includes (29) individuals who were taken by vehicles. They took us to (Khalifan) region and 2 women died during the road one of them is called ([NAME REDACTED]) while I don't know the name of the other one. I request to complain against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and everyone participated with them and this is my statement.

    5. The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1956
    Profession: Employee in a company
    Address: Bag Dawwud village, Kani Masi Sub District.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    In 1987, I was in (Ziwa Shikata) which is located in the Upper Zab. I was a member of the Pishmarga Forces and my duty was in this region. We heard the sound of some aircrafts in the morning dated 1987 May 01 as we heard the sound of an attack. One of our Detachments pursued the place of the event then I came back to my position. During the time of going and coming back, there was a weird smell in the air like the smell of cinnamon and straight away our eyes filled with tears and it's the first time I see this event. We knew that we were attacked by a chemical weapon. In the second time dated 1988 August 24, Iraqi Forces helped of the National Defense Regiments headed for (Dahuk, Sarsanq and Al-'Imadiyyah) regions and bounded them as well as the mountains surrounding them. Another part of these Forces chose the opposite direction of the first ones where they went to (Dahuk and Sumil) as well as (Batufah, Zakhu, Yadar, 'Ajam, and Kani Masi). Thousands of families were besieged in this region where some of them got close to the Turkish Borders. The other families couldn't escape and large number of them was arrested by the Iraqi Forces where none of the Pishmarga Forces were among them because they were civilians. I was at my brother's house ([NAME REDACTED]), on 1988 August 25, in (Ikmala) village which is related to (Kani Masi) Sub District. I walked with the children of my brother 10 steps away from his house and we heard the sound of aircrafts and I saw two Sukhoi jet fighters which attacked a group of villages (Ikmala and Hamisa) as well as the christian village (Mirkaji). I saw the aircrafts going back after attacking the region and I headed with my brother's children to one of the shelters but before my arrival there was a smell like rotten apples and cinnamon. I asked the children to run away, put a piece of cloth on their nose and we ran until we reached down the hill. I kept the children of my brother with another family on top the hill and we went back to the village with my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and one of our relatives ([NAME REDACTED]) to know the fate of my other brother [NAME REDACTED], his wife and his elder son ([NAME REDACTED]) but we couldn't reach the village. We were on a height and looked on the village but we didn't see anyone because most of the villagers went to the same place we headed to as we asked them if they saw my brother and his family but their answer was that they don't know anything about them. I saw a number of injured people and they were screaming, vomiting and their eyes were red where there was no medication. The people who were badly injured are ([NAME REDACTED]). I went back with my other brother, ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]) to the village using pieces of cloth to know the fate of my brother and his family. When we got close to my brother's house, we noticed that water is getting out from the mouth of animals and birds then died. I saw my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and his elder son ([NAME REDACTED]) dead on the ground (100) meters a part from each other and from the house as well as the body of his wife which was few meters away from them. The corpses were buried in the cemetery of the village. My brother [NAME REDACTED] with his children and my children were suffering from throat burn and they were vomiting. We went to (Awra) village because it was the closest village to the Turkish Borders where the villagers helped us and gave us food. We stayed on the Turkish Borders for a couple of days as well as thousands of people were there too. Then, I entered Turkey and lived there for 4 years. I request for complain against Saddam Hussien, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and the rest of the participants with them.

    6. The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1954
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Irbil, 94 Kulani.

    She stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    On Thursday during the spring and before Ramadan by couple of days in 1987, many Sukhoi jet fighters were flying before an hour of the sunset and their sound were loud. When they dropped the bombs, the sound of the bombing was low and we smelt a strange smell like apples or garlic as we felt nausea after they left. It was raining at night when we were in the house and when the aircrafts came back but there wasn't any kind of attack. I stayed with my family which consists of 12 members that night because I couldn't escape. We were drinking milk and vomiting and my children were screaming until the morning. We lost our sight and my other husband's brother ([NAME REDACTED]) came and he was not able to see and he was walking like children on hands and legs and he stayed with us.

    At noon, they told us that we will be transferred to (Ranya) by tractors for medication purpose. I do not know who took us. Moreover, Ranya's people offered us food and drink. There was another family with us with seven children, and we stayed one night at the hospital. The inhabitants of Ranya were treating us until the government knew about us. Then they took us to (Irbil) and I did not know who did that. They told us that ZIL vehicles have transferred us and we did not get medication. From there they took us to the prison and I do not know the number of the days that I have stayed there. However, I heard the voice of the men and women were increasing. At the prison, my kids who were with me and could see, they told me that my sister and her children were died. Moreover, they also saw ([NAME REDACTED]) my husband's cousin, and my sister's family was died. They were seven people ([NAME REDACTED]) and her husband ([NAME REDACTED]), and her kids, where four of them died at the hospital and they are ([NAME REDACTED]). My husband was with us, then we were separated when they separated men from women and they took my husband ([NAME REDACTED]) and I do not know his fate till now as well as my husband's relatives whom they are ([NAME REDACTED]). I also do not know the fate of my relatives whom they are my cousins [NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED]. I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan and against the people with him behind the bar.

    7- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1950
    Profession: a writer

    Place of residence: United States of America, Virginia State,

    She stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    On 1987 June 05, I was one of the Pishmarga. At four PM, Iraqi airplanes (Sikhuy) kind attacked us, and they were four. They attacked us by chemical bombs; meanwhile I left with the others to the shelter. There was a Comrade with me [NAME REDACTED] I do not know her full name, and another Comrade told [NAME REDACTED] that I smell something, so we left the shelter. When the bombs fall down, there was a white to ashy smoke coming from the bombs. The Sound of the explosion was not strong. I saw a person his name is [NAME REDACTED], one of Zakhu Citizens, and he started to throw up, when people tried to carry him. After 12 at night, the Comrade ([NAME REDACTED]) came and woke me up, and she told me that we were attacked by chemical weapons. I saw the people around me with teary eyes, and they were throwing up and feeling pain in their stomachs. The supportive platoon was 30 minutes far from us, so we went there and we reached them at four at dawn, and the people with us were falling down because of their teary eyes. In the third day bubbles started to appear on my knee and the marks still exist until now. In the autumn of 1988, and I do not know the exact day and month, Iraqi airplanes came, then we went to the shelter, and after the attack with the bombs, it became clear that the bombs were not chemical. After that, we knew that there is a proceeding for the Iraqi military forces, so we left to the Turkish-Iraqi borders, and that lasted ten days. For that, I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the organizations and the international companies that provided the regime with the chemical weapons.

    8- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1922
    Profession: Farmer

    Place of residence: Dar Barula Village.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    I am one of (Dar Barula) citizens; we were working in farming, and in the year 1987, the harvest season was in the ninth months, so we went to the Ba'th Party Organization to take a permission to harvest. In the morning of 1987 September 03, the emergency forces attacked us, and surrounded our village and burned it and explode the electricity of the village, where we were outside the houses. Then they seized the livestock. Then they arrested us and took us to the emergency in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, and after that they took us to the Security Directorate then they brought us back to the emergency, where we stayed 4 months detained, and they investigated us several times. One time they came and announced nine names of the arrested and took them and they are ([NAME REDACTED]), ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]) I do not know their full names. Moreover, they took two citizens of (Kalar) I do not know their names. They have been taken behind the prison's wall and I heard a fire shots, and I heard from the guards that they have been executed. Then were told by some of the guards that those people were arrested in the security prohibited zones, and according to the decision that issued by ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) they were executed. Then I was released, and I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    9- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1950
    Profession: Farmer

    Place of residence: 'Azaban Village.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    In 1987, a Republican Guard Brigade attacked our village, using tanks in their attack. Moreover, there were bulldozers and military trucks with them. Our village was destroyed, and that lasted from the morning until six at noon, knowing that our village was not security prohibited and it is almost half an hour far from Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, and there was no reason to attack our village other than we were Kurds. On 1987 September 08, 20 detachment of the security forces attacked (Shar Bajir) village. I was with my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]) in the village, and the security forces and the emergency arrested us. Our village has been plundered as well as the livestock. A car was brought to transport the livestock to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, and then we were extradited to Al-Sulaymaniyyah emergency. When we arrived to the prison, there were 16 people of ('Arbat) citizens in Al-Sulaymaniyyah. We stayed in the prison three months, and we were tortured severely. Then a committee from Baghdad came and interrogated us after three days, just because we were Kurds. They indicated that the names they will read are going to be released. The number of the arrested people was (126), and they only took (58) people and said it is the president's noble deed. My brother's ([NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED]) stayed, I do not know their fate until now, then I was released. For that, I do request a complaint against 'Ali aliased ('Ali Lut Masi) and ('Uthman Nawzad), I do not know their father's name, and Major Taha and Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    10- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1965
    Profession: Laborer

    Place of residence: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    In 1987, I was in (Si Kanyan) village in Shaykh Bakh, and one day at 8 in the evening, our village was attacked by (500-600) bombs. The attack was in (Siwa) area, and the bombs were low voice and smelly. The residents started to escape to the heights. There was also an attack in the area that located between (Si Kanyan) village and (Sargalu) village, and we went back in the morning to know what happened. We saw the area, it was white, so we knew that it was attacked by chemical weapon, and the oak tree converted to white. In 1988 we were in the same village (Si Kanyan) we saw the reinforcement of Iraqi forces, they started bombing us airplanes and artillery from four directions, and the residents started to escape from the village including my mother and my family members whom they fed toward Iran. Then airplanes came and dropped leaflets contain the amnesty decision, so they returned to Iraq, but they were arrested in (Qal'at Ziza) area, and were taken to (Ranya) including my mother ([NAME REDACTED]).and my brothers and sisters ([NAME REDACTED]). And my sister in law ([NAME REDACTED]) with her kids [NAME REDACTED], whom they are the children of ([NAME REDACTED]). And my Aunts ([NAME REDACTED]and my wife's sister and [NAME REDACTED]), and my wife's brother, he has two children ([NAME REDACTED]), they took them from Irbil to (Tupzawa), and we did not hear from them but I knew their fate after the return of my uncle [NAME REDACTED] and his wife from Nuqrat Al-Salman. There were two children with them, one of them called ([NAME REDACTED]), my uncle's grandson. He died in Nuqrat Al-Salman because of starvation, and he was buried in Nuqrat Al-Salman and the black dogs ate his body, and when his cousin saw the scene, she became insane, and her name is ([NAME REDACTED]). After digging the mass graves by the investigation court in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, they have found IDs, which include the retirement ID that belongs to my father, and it was with my sister ([NAME REDACTED]), I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and his group.

    11- Plaintiff: ' [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1953
    Profession: Laborer

    Place of residence: Si Kanyan Village.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    I had two brothers and two sisters living in (Si Kanyan) village, and they are (' [NAME REDACTED]) and his wife ([NAME REDACTED]), and I had six kids [NAME REDACTED] kids. My brother ([NAME REDACTED]), had two kids, and his wife ([NAME REDACTED]) was pregnant. My widow sister ([NAME REDACTED]) had four kids, they were all living in (Si Kanyan) village. The Iraqi forces surrounded them, so they went toward the Iranian-Iraqi borders. After 20 days or almost one month, two people return from Iran to (Al-Sulaymaniyyah). I went to meet them to ask about my family. They told me that according to the amnesty decision that was issued by the government; they came back to Iraq, but they were arrested in (Suni and Shini) - Iraqi villages- so I went to (Aghjalar) area, and there was a person who confirmed that they were arrested and transferred to (Chwar Qurna). I came back to Ranya to ask about their fate and I was informed that they were taken to Irbil. After six months the elderly people came back from (Nuqrat Al-Salman), among them was my uncle ([NAME REDACTED]) and his wife. They mentioned that they stayed in Irbil for four months, then they were transferred to (Tupzawa) in (Kirkuk). Men were separated from women, children and elderly, and then we did not hear from them. In 2004-2005, I was requested by the investigation court in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, where they showed me six IDs related to ('Aziz) and his wife and for children. I have recognized them and I knew that they belong to my family, and they told me that they found them in (Al-Hadar mass grave), I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their group, and against who participated with them.

    12- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1969
    Profession: Farmer

    Place of residence: Sidar Village- (Bingird) Sub District.

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    I am a resident of (Sidar) village, which related to (Bingird) Sub District. I was working in farming. In the second month of the year 1988, our village was attacked by artillery and airplanes, also the villages neighboring our village. The bombardment lasted seven days. Then the forces raided our village from three axes (Jila Karan, Qara Sard, and Dulimazali) mountains, 90 people of the village were arrested, and some of them escaped. All the properties and the livestock were stolen and burned by the government forces. So we left to the Iranian borders, it took us 3 to 4 days to get there. We stayed 6-7 months in Iran, and I knew from some people that some of the detainees were back from (Nuqrat Al-Salman), so I went back to Iraq illegally, and I met the people who returned from (Nuqrat Al-Salman). I asked them about my family, and they told me that they saw them, and they were with them in (Tupzawa) where they separated men from women and children. Then they took them to (Nuqrat Al-Salman). In 2004, the court called me and showed me some IDs, I recognized four of them and they belong to ([NAME REDACTED]) four years, (' [NAME REDACTED]) two years, and they are my bother ([NAME REDACTED]) children, he died in 1987 due to the bombardment. I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    13- Plaintiff: [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1977
    Profession: Laborer

    Place of residence: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, Dukan District, Sidr Village, Bin Gird Sub District

    He stated the following after taking the legal oath:

    In 1988, I was in (Sidar) village with my family, which consists of seven people, my mother ([NAME REDACTED]), my brothers and sisters ([NAME REDACTED]). In the second month of the year 1988, our village and the neighboring villages were attacked. The First Al-Anfal operation had started in (Jafayati) valley, and the attack on our village came from two directions (Qara Sard) mountain, and (Jila Karan) mountain. The Iraqi forces came closer to our village. The attack was continual on the village in the evening. At midnight, we heard women and children crying and at dawn, I was able to escape from the village and meet my sisters and brothers ([NAME REDACTED]). One of the village's citizens told me that military vehicles transferred the people who stayed in the village, so we went to the Iranian borders and entered Iran through (Sar Dasht), after a while we return to Iraq to (Pishdar) area then to (Ranya) then to (Pira Magrun) complex. We stayed there for almost four months. I asked the people who were arrested with my mother in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) about my mother and my family; they told me that they were among the detainees in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) and the Iraqi forces separated men from women in (Tupzawa) and they do not know their fate. After the uprising in 1991, I went back to my village to find it destroyed and burned. The mosque was demplished and burned, so I went back disappointed to (Pira Magrun) complex, and then I went back to the village. Then, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Investigation Court showed me IDs that belong to my family, including my dead father's ID, which was with my mother. In addition, my mother and my sisters ([NAME REDACTED]) IDs and my sister ([NAME REDACTED]) ID whom were arrested with my mother. I found out that they were killed, because the IDs were found in (Al-Hadar) mass grave. I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan and anyone participated in this crime

    14- Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1965
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident in Sargalu Village, a village with five hundred families working in the agriculture; the bombardment was continuing on the village through artillery, airplanes and rocket launchers. On Sunday evening, two helicopters hovered above and eight persons from the village were killed due to the bombardment, in 1988, and before Anfal operations, the launchers killed three persons ([NAME REDACTED] and his sons [NAME REDACTED]), then Anfal operations started during the month of February of the same year, whereas big military forces assembled in the region towards (Al-Sulaymaniyyah), and directed to (Dukan) by four sectors, then they started attacking the villages using chemical weapons; the attack lasted for twenty days. The inhabitants were not staying in the village, and left to Iran, along with my relatives, brother ([NAME REDACTED]), his wife ([NAME REDACTED]) and his sons. The Iraqi Forces started demolishing the villages, seizing the property and plundering everything left. After issuing the amnesty decision, the families returned from Iran to (Suni) village, including eight of my related families, they were arrested and transported in vehicles (Type: Iva) to Chuwar Qurna village then to (Irbil) where they were placed in a prison. Concerning my situation, I stayed in (Al-Sulaymaniyyah), and one day, one of the detainees told me that he spent six months with my relatives in the same detention facility, then some of them were moved to (Nuqrat Al-Salman); my cousin ([NAME REDACTED]) and her husband were released and they returned to (Al-Sulaymaniyyah), I was informed that their son ([NAME REDACTED]) died in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) due to starvation, and his corpse was moved outside the building, and buried in small excavation, the detainees were watching the burial location through a window, as they also witnessed a dog trying to take out the corpse from the dig, I am raising a complaint against ^iaddam^H^ein), ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) and all criminals present in the cage of accusation.

    15- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1978
    Profession: Laborer
    Address: Maluma Village

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident in (Maluma) village, along with my nine family members; I and my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) and my grandmother ([NAME REDACTED]) traveled to Al-Sulaymaniyyah to visit my uncle, three or four days after, we heard that our village was destroyed by the Iraqi forces artillery and aircrafts, which forced the inhabitants including my parents to escape toward the Iranian borders; (Chalawa) village was attacked by chemical weapons, in which the all cattle were killed, and then my grandmother informed me about the amnesty decision, so we returned to (Qal'at Dizah) area, we handed ourselves to the Iraqi government; my parents, my uncle ([NAME REDACTED]), my grandmother ([NAME REDACTED]) and my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) were arrested and transported to Irbil. My grandmother ([NAME REDACTED]) mentioned to me their sufferance at the Tupzawa detention facility, and that the men were separated away from women, elderly and children. I did not have any news about my parents and brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) until 2004, when I was called to Al-Sulaymaniyyah court to look at the identification documents, in order to recognize my family members, where I found the ID cards of my father and brother Muhammad, and I was told that these ID's were found in Al-Mawsil mass graves.

    I am raising a complaint against (Saddam Hussein) and ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) and all criminals present in the cage of accusation.

    16- Plaintiff / '[NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1964
    Profession: Retired

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    When Anfal first operations started on 1988, February 18, I was one of the Pishmarga fighters, and I was in Sargalu area, our headquarters was based in Yagh Samar, The Iraqi forces at that time used all kind of weapons, in which they used chemical weapons in most the of villages such as Shadala, Sargalu, Bargalu, Yagh Samar, Maluma, Ziwka, and Galala. We informed the village inhabitants that it was a necessity to leave the villages, because the government will be using chemical weapons to attack these areas. On 1988, March 19, we retreated from this area, due to shortage of munitions and fighters, at the time of our retreat; I witnessed around 200 to 300 dead sheep that belonged to (Chawa) village residents. On 1988, March 22, after the retreat of our forces to (Alan) region, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the Iraqi aircrafts attacked the region using chemical weapons.

    Concerning the missiles which cracked but did not explode, one missile fall near me, and I got effected by the liquid that came out of it, which was not yet transformed to gas, after that the pain was similar to an electrical shock, or like boiled water poured on my body, but I did not lose my consciousness, after a while I saw victims' heads detached from their bodies, carved arms and legs, and my friends' corpses, including the martyr [NAME REDACTED], and the injured [NAME REDACTED] who is from Galala village. When I got up, I tried to go to the highland, then I looked into my eye in mirror, it was red and painful; our doctors started giving us primary instructions, then some people came for our help, and transported us by civilian vehicles to the Iranian border then to a hospital in (Bana) city. After I woke up from the coma, they told me that I'm in (Najah) hospital in Tehran, and I stayed in the hospital until the tenth month of the year 1988, and my body had an obvious wound which you can still see now there are also other wounds and in my arm, as a result of the chemical materials. I am raising a complaint against the persons who participated in Anfal campaign.

    17- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1930
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Malumah Village, Ma'ut County, Juwartah District

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I was a resident of (Maluma) village; the Iraqi forces attacked our village by helicopters and artillery. I don't remember the exact date, five members of my family and I were forced to flee to Iran, after that we heard about the amnesty decision, we were happy, so we returned to (Bastasin) camp in the North of Iraq, where we were arrested and taken to (Chuwar Qarna) camp, we stayed there for one night, and in the morning, they moved us to Irbil, then to (Tupzawa); our situation was very difficult, my sons ([NAME REDACTED]) were taken away from me, the officer took all our belongings such as watches and money. They separated men away from women, and placed the pretty girls in a different hall, and all the halls were dirty. After a while, they transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman), but the youth stayed in (Tupzawa), and after eight months in (Nuqrat Al-Salman), we heard about the amnesty decision, and because of that, we returned to Al-Sulaymaniyyah in the north of the country, and still don't know anything about my sons ([NAME REDACTED]). Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan, and all their accomplices.

    18- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1955
    Profession: Member of Pishmarga-Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I was a member of Pishmarga in Sargalu region, when Anfal operations started in the second month of 1988, the attack started by all types of weapon such as heavy artillery, and chemical weapons; before that we notified the citizens and asked them to hide in refugee camps and the mountain caves. After that, the aircrafts carried out an intense chemical bombardment on the area and on the near villages which are (Yagh Samar, Bargalu, Sidar, Qurankuy, Sikanyan, Wilaghlu, Balkha and Maluma). We held back the attacks for fifteen days, and in the fourth attack, I got injured in the pelvis, and I was transported to the hospital in Sargalu where I was cured. When we were moved to the border, I witnessed dead animals and persons affected by the chemical attacks, then I was transported to (Bana) hospital in Iran, and to Tabriz. After the amnesty decision was issued, my sister ([NAME REDACTED]) and my niece ([NAME REDACTED]) left me to return to Iraq, I heard that they were arrested and taken to (Chuwar Qurna), then to Irbil, and then to an unknown region. After the fall of the regime, we knew their fate, because their corpses were found in Al-Mawsil mass graves, I was called by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Investigation Court, to show me ID's of my sister ([NAME REDACTED]) and my niece ([NAME REDACTED]). I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and the persons who participated with them.

    19- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1949
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Sidar Village, Bingrad sub district, Dukan District:

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am from (Sidar) village, in 1988, all of a sudden the Iraqi government started attacking my village from two directions, from (Qara Sard) to (Dulmazala) village, and from (Bingird- Dukan) to (Dari Sandaran). The battles were initiated between the Iraqi forces and Pishmarga forces, knowing that my village was not listed as a security-restricted area. The bombardment was intense and the children and women screaming was so high; when the military forces entered the village, many citizens and I were trying to escape, as my son 'Ali was following me, leaving his mother and brothers behind; we were hiding in the mountain cave, avoiding the bombardment. Through the binocular I was carrying I saw the Iraqi forces by assembling women and children in the mosque, and they put them in military tracks, as I personally witnessed the villages being destroyed by shuffles and bulldozer. I was 1 km away from the village when I also saw my family being transported by tracks when Iran, then I traveled to Iran, (Bana) village where I was hosted by a mosque Imam, we stayed there for six months and after the amnesty decision issuance, I surrendered to Dukan Organization of the Ba'th Party. I visited my mother when she returned from Nuqrat Al-Salman, and asked her about my family, which is composed of eight persons including my wife [NAME REDACTED] and my sons ([NAME REDACTED]), she told me that they were transported to (Sidar) then to (Raniya). We stay there for ten days, and then we were transported to a prison in Irbil for Fourteen days, then transferred to (Tupzawa) in Kirkuk, and there they separate women from men, where they transferred them to Nuqrat Al-Salman. Around ten people was dying daily due to starvation, and buried in the sand, the dogs excavated them, and ate the corpses. My mother saw my sons, after their return from (Tupzawa), but the security and officers did not allow them to approach her, my mother and my uncle were released afterwards and my family's fate remains unknown. At that time I was soldier, I met Saddam Hussein and asked him to release my family members, he said: (Shut up and don't talk about this, they were lost in Anfal operations, now get out of here). I remained a soldier in the army till the war of 1990, after that I returned to (Pira Magrun) complex, and after the fall of the regime, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Investigation Court showed ID cards to the public, and they informed me that they were found in Al-Hadar mass graves, I recognized them, and they belonged to ([NAME REDACTED]). I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and the persons present in the cage.

    20- Paintiff / Khawanjah Karim Hasan
    Date of Birth: 1941
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Pira Magrun Compound

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a citizen of (Sarmud) village, in 1988, we were attacked by chemical weapons, the artillery bombarded the village during the night and the day, after that the army burned our village, and made us walk to (Chirqa) village, we were transported after that by military vehicles to (Susi) fort where we stayed one night, and in the morning they transferred us to the Emergency in (Al-Sulaymaniyyah), and then we were sent back to (Dukan) due to the large number of prisoners, then we were released and twenty days later they arrested us and transferred us to (Al-Sulaymaniyyah) for fifteen days, then transported to (Tupzawa), we stayed there for one night, our situation was difficult; in the morning they transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman), my husband [NAME REDACTED], my sons [NAME REDACTED] and my mother-in-law (Sawza) were with me, and my mother-in-law died from starvation, where no enough food and water was available, and as a result of that, many citizens died. They separated women from men, we remained there for a while till they informed us about the amnesty decision, so they transported us by buses to Al-Samawah, then to Al-Sulaymaniyyah, and released us afterwards; we went back to Dukan compound where my husband and my family members were missing, they isolated my husband in (Tupzawa), and fate remains unknown, but my sons were released. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the accomplices.

    21- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1960
    Profession: Retired

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Village

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    In the end of December 1987, an extensive attack started, with the use of all type of weapons, the attack persisted over several months and till 1988, March 16. On 1988 March 20, we arrived to (Shanakhasi) village, and which we found destroyed and abandoned; on 1988 March 22, in the morning, aircrafts bombarded (Mawut, Qaywan, Dashti, Akri, Bardi Qashan) areas using chemical weapons, and in the afternoon of the same day, the aircrafts attacked us, and bombarded all the surrounding regions using chemical weapons, and after that I headed to a highland wherein the other side of it our force's headquarter was located, while heading there, I saw a corpse of children, women and elderly that died from the chemical bombardment. The corpse were too scattered to the point where I could not recognize them; when I reached the headquarters of Pishmarga, I started feeling heat in my body and vomiting, and my eyes became red, and after one hour I lost conscious, I didn't know what happened to me, after two months, my friends told me that I was in (Al-Imam Al-Khumayni) hospital in Asfahan, and there were around ninety persons in that hospital, twenty of them died. I left the hospital by the end of 1988, and I was informed by the Doctor's that part of my lung was irritated due to my injury by chemical weapons; I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all the participants in Anfal operations.

    22- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1965
    Profession: Officer in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Department as a Major
    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Majid Bag Area

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    At the end of 1987, the Iraqi government started a huge attack against the Command of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in the region of (Surdash), they continued the attack for several months when we were forced to retreat to (Shanakhsi) area on the 17th or 18th of March 1988, and On 20th of March 1988, we arrived to (Shanakhsi) region, and on 22nd of March 1988, the aircrafts bombarded this area, the explosions were sometimes strong, and sometimes light, I was accompanied by my relative [NAME REDACTED], and when we were prostrating on the floor, a white smoke with detestable smell came out, we remained there for a while, and then ran away to height land, my health became worse, my heart pulses increased, I started having pain in my eyes and vomiting. I couldn't get up on my feet a number of buses belonging to the Red Cross approached, and took me in, after awhile it's shown I am in (Bana) hospital in Iran, my health was bad, they moved me to (Sina) hospital, I lost conscious for ten days, and when I got up, I noticed burns and scars on my body, and got hysteric from the gases. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all the participants in Anfal operations.

    23- Plaintiff /[NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1951
    Profession: Farmer
    Address: (Piramagrun) complex

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    In 1988, the Iraqi forces attacked (Qalam Pasha) village, the battles lasted for three days, we were residents of (Qarankuy) village, we panicked and headed toward the mountain, knowing that our village was under attack by chemical weapons, I saw three individuals dead and they are [NAME REDACTED], we left to (Guma Zal) village, and when we got there, we found the citizens of the following eight villages: (Qarankuy Humar Qawm, Chalawa, Sargalu, Bargalu, Qalam Pasha, Sidar and Sikanyan Dulabi), then we went to (Shanakhsi) village, we were attacked by Iraqi helicopters using chemical weapons, then we went to (Sardasht) city, and we remained there for twelve days, and after the issuance of the amnesty decision, we headed to (Suni) village, where the Iraqi forces were located, their treatment was inhuman by beating and forcing people to get into military vehicles, type ZIL (Soviet vehicles), they took our belongings, and moved us to (Chuwar Qurna) Division then to Irbil Security Department, we stayed there for one day without food, then they transferred us to Al-Mawsil and Irbil camps, where they separated women away from men. In the camp hall, I saw a number Turbans with blood traces, my wife [NAME REDACTED] and son ([NAME REDACTED]) were with me. I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the accomplices.

    24- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1948
    Profession: Officer

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I used to live in (Siwsinan) village which belongs to (Qara Dagh) District. The village is composed of 350 families; on 1988, March 22 and after the noon call for prayer of, our village was hit by two bombs launched from the region of (Darbandi Khan), the flames raised, and the citizens left the village, after they realized that these bombs were not chemical, they returned, and on their way back, they were attacked. Before the call for prayer, they attacked our village using fighter-launchers from (Darbandi Khan) region, at that time I was with my family, and when I left the room at around 06:45, I saw a white- yellow flame; my children [NAME REDACTED] were with me, my wife carried ([NAME REDACTED]) and I took ([NAME REDACTED]) and we ran away to the refugees, where I found some of the families with their children, when we reached the camp, we started to have a problem with breathing, we covers our faces with wet towels, then I lost conscious, and when I got up, I found myself in (Shurish) hospital which is close to (Balak Jar), I saw one of my village citizens whose name is [NAME REDACTED], I asked him about what's happened to my children, he told me that (Siwsinan) village was attacked by chemical weapons, and that my children are alive, later I was informed that they died. I asked him about the families and about Mahdi Hadi's family, who was my neighbor and were with us that night, they were fourteen persons, he told me that they all died, also the family members of [NAME REDACTED] died. My health became worse, so they moved me to Al-Sulaymaniyyah by a tractor, then to my brother's house ([NAME REDACTED]) and then to (Tu Malik) region in the next day, I heard sounds of helicopters hovering above the city and they were calling for houses' inspection, they arrested the draft dodgers, in the same day they arrested the emigrants from (Qara Dagh) and (Karmali) in (Nasir and Zarayan) compound, they transferred them by military vehicles to (Tupzawa) and (Nuqrat Al-Salman), I heard that those who were arrested did not come back, it is worth mentioning that in our village there are 70 martyrs, they are victims of the chemical bombarding, 12 persons arrested and 3 become insane, Thus I raise my complaint against Saddam Husayn, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in Anfal operations.

    25- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1967
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Upper Kushuk Village, Qara Dagh County, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of Upper (Kushik) village in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate. On 1988 March 22 during sunset, while I was in my village with my brother ([NAME REDACTED]), we witnessed an intense bombardment on (Siwsian) village, we saw heavy flames and when we arrived to one of the hills, the flames were heading toward us, the smell was detestable, we saw the inhabitants escaping and some of them injured, when I entered the village I saw one of my relatives named [NAME REDACTED] crying for loosing his wife and daughter, I saw among the corpses, the body of [NAME REDACTED] he was one of the village inhabitants, also an injured person named [NAME REDACTED] and he is mentally retarded, also the body of his wife and his two sons, I found corpses for 6 children, the corpse of my sister ([NAME REDACTED]), my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and his family were also martyred, when I went to the house of ([NAME REDACTED], I found 14 corpses because this house is occupied by two families, they were buried with the assistance of the neighboring village inhabitants, while these corpses had been transported by tractors; I am raising a complaint against Saddam Husayn, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in this crime.

    26- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1977
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Piramagrun Compound, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Dulaway) village, in 1988 our village had been bombarded by artillery and aircrafts, martyred one of our village's inhabitant named [NAME REDACTED], also injured my brother ([NAME REDACTED]), this what made us escape to Iran where we stayed for 10 days and after that we surrendered to the Iraqi authorities in (Suni) village, then we were moved to (Chuwar Qarna) village by military vehicles type (Iva), we were nine families, we stayed in the detention facility for 10 days and then moved to Irbil then to (Tupzawa) in which the soldiers' treatment was very bad, we were urinate in metal cans, then they separated the men away from women, they transported me, my parents and my brother (Muhammad) to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility where the rooms were very dirty, full of insects, the drinking water was not good and we were always sick with diarrhea and vomiting because of such dirty environment and as a result of that the majority was died, like my father[NAME REDACTED] who had been taken by some soldiers and after 15 minutes he came back deceased and there was a red spot on his forehead, my uncle buried his body. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Husayn, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated with them.

    27- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1952
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, Kurdistan

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Kanisan) village, during the springtime 1987, the army informed us about the necessity of leaving the village and move to the housing compounds, so we went to (Qupi Qara Dagh) village, while moving toward (Darbandi Khan) we were attacked by artillery; we reached (Al-Diwana) village and then to (Qara Dagh) village, in the 3rd month of the year 1988, the attack started in (Siwsinan) village by cannons and the attack was strong; a mountain separated between our village and (Siwsinan) village, one of this village's inhabitants informed me that their village was attacked by chemical weapons, in this time when we knew that the army is coming to our village, we escaped and left all our property, we ascended a mountain and we saw black flames coming out from (Balkhi and 'Alyawa) villages that were burned, then we reached (Barawkri) village and then left running away from the army that was coming after us, we arrived to (Kala Khal) village which is in (Kalar) County, where my brothers ran away afraid to be captured by the authorities; my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) was arrested and till now we do not know his fate, then we headed toward (Mila Sura) village, after that the authority transported us by cars and tractors to (Qara Tu) village. My father, brother ([NAME REDACTED]), husband ([NAME REDACTED]), the wife of my brother ([NAME REDACTED]), and five of her children, we still with me; then were transported to (Tupzawa) in Kirkuk, they placed us in a big yard while it was raining and they separated the men away from women. Until this moment I still did not see my husband or my brother ([NAME REDACTED]), and their fate remains unknown. A year ago, I was called for verifying my husband and my identity card because he was carrying it when they found him in the mass graves. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in this crime.

    28- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1932
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, Qara Dagh County, Siwsinan Village

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Siwsinan) village, on 23rd of March, I do not remember the year, it was springtime, at 06:30 o'clock, and two helicopters hovered above our village and bombarded us with 40 rockets from the side of (Darbandi Khan), when I went to My daughter's ([NAME REDACTED]) house, I found 14 corpses, 7 of them were members of ('[NAME REDACTED]) family, and the rest were my daughter ([NAME REDACTED]) and her children ([NAME REDACTED]) and I also saw two corpses. One of the vehicles of Pishmarga forces transported 40 injured persons; the inhabitants of the neighboring village buried the bodies. My husband and I took our deceased persons and buried them, whereas the total martyrs number in this attack was 81 persons, 70 of them died affected by the chemical weapons and the rest remain with an unknown fate. After that we went to Barzan village, we saw the helicopters bombarding the villages of this region then we headed towards (Qara Dagh) village. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Husayn, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in this crime.

    29- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1951
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Lower Astil, Qara Dagh County

    His ethnicity: Kurdish

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of Lower (Astil) village, Qara Dagh County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, in the 4th month of the year 1988, the army attachments attacked our region with the aircrafts and artillery; I escaped from (Sangaw) County with my family and some of my livestock, then we headed towards (Nazar Kani Village), in 1988, April 15 the army destroyed the village with shuffles, we stayed there for two days under the rains as the children condition was very bad, I left the village to (Barika) compound then I went with my children to ('Arbat) organization where the authorities detained us and transported us to (Al-Sumud) compound, they separated men away from women and sent us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman), my health was not good and some of us died because of the harsh conditions; one day I saw some dogs eating a head of a woman or a man that amputated. I was released. I left the detention facility but I do not know the fate of my family. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all who were participated Anfal operations.

    30- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1937
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Jafaran Village, Qara Dagh County, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Jafaran) village in (Qara Dagh) County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, in the 3rd month of the year 1986 the army attacked our village by artillery; one day a strong explosion occurred and I saw a big bomb dropping on the ground but it did not explode, and a black flame raised from, its smell was like spoiled apple, after that we started feeling bodies burning, breathing difficulties and eyes shedding tears. The inhabitants of the neighboring villages transported us, my daughter who is married to ([NAME REDACTED]) came to visit us, then we were transported by a tractor to (Sagirma) then to (Chamchamal) where we were in a very bad condition especially my daughter (Sabriyyah) due to the chemical attack, so she was taken to Saddam Hospital in Kirkuk but they did not treat us for 5 days and the doctor told us that my daughter ([NAME REDACTED]) does not need treatment because she will die, and she died right after that, then they took her, and I do not know where they buried her. During this time one of the soldiers told us that there is an officer named (Ramzi) who ordered the doctor not to give us any kind of treatment; we stayed in the hospital for 2 months and after that they transferred us to (Maysalun) prison in Kirkuk where my two daughters ([NAME REDACTED]) were with me; the prison was full of women and children; after issuing the amnesty, I returned to my village. 10 days after the commencement of Anfal operations, we faced a strong bombing and we escaped to Al-Sulaymaniyyah and left all our properties and livestock, and when my daughter ([NAME REDACTED]) and her husband ([NAME REDACTED]) came to visit us, they were arrested and we still do not know about their fate, also they arrested my relatives and we still do not know about their fate. Therefore, I am raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, the officer Ramzi and all who participated in this crime

    31- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1931
    Address: Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Lower Balkha

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of Lower Balkha which is related to Qara Dagh County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, in the night of 22nd /23rd March 1988 our village was attacked by chemical weapons, I saw flames rising from (Siwsinan) village. On the next day the army gathered in (Takya, Qara Dagh and Darbandi Khan) regions, we escaped from our village to (Qupi) village, then I and my nephew [NAME REDACTED], whom his fate remains unknown, we climbed the mountain and saw (Lower Balkha, Hasiwi, Diwana, Haji awa and Awaysi) villages burning and flames rising from them; after that we arrived at (Mila Sura) village while the army surrounded and arrested us, then transported us with vehicles type (Iva) to (Qura Tu) region then to (Tupzawa) where they separated men away from women. We were moved to (Naqrat Al-Salman) camp and stayed there for three days without food or water. Three to four thousand individuals were detained in that detention facility, including my wife [NAME REDACTED], my children ([NAME REDACTED]) and my relatives, and until now their fate remains unknown, because we were separated in (Tupzawa). I was released and returned to Al-Sulaymaniyyah. My wife, children and relatives remain with an unknown fate. Therefore, I'm raising a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all who participated in the crime.

    32- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1931
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Jafaran Village, Qara Dagh County

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of Jafran village, in Qara Dagh County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, in 1988, March 23, at 09:30 in the evening we heard an explosion in our village. The next morning my nephew ([NAME REDACTED]) and I went to (Jafran) village where all the livestock were killed, our eyes started shedding tears and also our mouths watered effected by chemical weapons. I started with my nephew ([NAME REDACTED]) (T.C: most probably Bistun) to take the rest of the cattle and walked towards Al-Sulaymaniyyah. We reached (Qaraman) valley and went to (Kala Zarda) mountain, then the army detained me and my relatives ([NAME REDACTED]), the army continued capturing civilians till their number reached 500. We were transferred by cars to the division belonging to the army in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, then to an emergency camp, in this camp we were starving and we remained there for one week. then we were transported to (Tupzawa) in Kirkuk, they separated men away from women and children; They transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman and they did not provide food for 24 hours that led to death of three of us, the detention facility was under the responsibility of the solider named (Hajjaj), he forced us to stand under the sun for half an hour daily and he tortured the detainees; moreover I saw a black dog disinterring the tombs and eating the corpses, after spending a period of time they released us in groups. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and against Hajjaj (unknown father's name).

    33- Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1927
    Profession: Handicapped

    Address: Chamchamal, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I was a resident in (Qashqa) village in (Qadir Karim) County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, in 1988, the army attachments started to proceed towards our village and aircrafts started shooting on the village, as a result of this shooting, my nephew ([NAME REDACTED]) was killed and also [NAME REDACTED]. My brother ([NAME REDACTED]) was killed by the Army; we were worried so we escaped from the village towards (Qadir Karam) the army isolated the youth from the elderly, then they took the youth to (Al Yadah) village by ZIL cars towards Kirkuk, we the elder individuals stayed in (Qadir Karam). The army destroyed our village; when they detained the youth in (Qadir Karam) and (Al-Yadah), I lost my children ([NAME REDACTED]) and also my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) who until now remain with an unknown fate. Therefore, I'm presenting a complaint against Saddam Husayn, 'Ali Hasan and all their assistants.

    34- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1963
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Chamchamal, Shurish, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Qashqa) village, in (Qadir Karam) County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, during the springtime of 1988, the army forces attacked our village several times, several residents, were killed, such as [NAME REDACTED]. The women, children and elderly citizens escaped toward (Qadir Karam) but (105) young men couldn't leave the village. I saw the army destroying our village; after issuing the amnesty, the elderly returned back and went to the place where the youth were hiding and extradited them to the governmental authorities. Then the authorities transferred them by governmental cars to an unknown destination and until now their fate remains unknown, including my brothers [NAME REDACTED] also my husband's son [NAME REDACTED] and some of my relatives. Thus, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all their assistants.

    35- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1941
    Profession: Handicapped

    Address: Chamchamal, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I was a resident of (Tup Khana) village in (Qadir Karam) County, on 1988, April 12 the Iraqi military forces proceeded from our village towards (Qadir Karam). Army attachments surrounded us with the support of helicopters; they detained us and took us to (Qadir Karam), they separated men away from women and elderly. Then they released the elderly and women and took the men to an unknown destination and their fate remains unknown; with them were my son ([NAME REDACTED]) and my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]). Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all their assistants.

    36- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1955
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Zandan Village, Sangaw County, Jam Jamal District, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I returned to Iraq on 1988 August 25, after I was captured by the Iranian authorities and after my return to Al-Sulaymaniyyah, my cousin ([NAME REDACTED]) informed me that all these villages are empty because the military forces attacked them and destroyed all the houses, they arrested its residents and detained them in (Tupzawa), when I arrived to my village I found it unoccupied and I did not find my wife [NAME REDACTED], and my kids [NAME REDACTED], I checked with the Party organization and Chamchamal Administrative District, and submitted three petition to the Presidential Diwan to know the fate of my family, they replied with an official letter that my family members were missing during Anfal operations in 1988. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein and all his assistants.

    37- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1967
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Shurish Compound, Qadir Karam County, Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I was a resident of (Gula Bakh) village in (Qadir Karam) County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, on 1988 April 11, the military attachments surrounded our village and detained all residents and transported us to (Sangaw) region and after one day they transported us to (Chamchamal) and (Tupzawa), three days later we were transported to (Dibs) region, we stayed there for 6 months where as our condition was very bad, I also delivered a baby girl and after 6 months we were transferred to Tikrit, then we were released according to an amnesty decision then we were transferred to ('Arbat) in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, and till now I do not know the fate of my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) and my husband ([NAME REDACTED]), my uncle [NAME REDACTED], my uncle's wife [NAME REDACTED] since they were arrested in our village. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein and all his lieutenants.

    38- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of birth: 1955
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Al-Ta'mim Governorate, Qadir Karam

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Qutalu) village in (Qadir Karam) County in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, in 1988, the villages was a daily exposed to bombardment from the Iraqi army in (Sinkaw and Chamchamal), after two days of artillery bombarding, the aircraft attacked our village, a number of citizens were killed, among these killed persons were my cousin ([NAME REDACTED]), we left the village escaping towards (Muhabaram) village which in (Singaw) County, my sister and I escaped towards (Chamchamal) by a tractor, when we reached (Qadatun), they isolated the men away from women and took men to an unknown place, three days later they transported us to (Chamchamal) then to (Khuyzawa); then the old men and women were isolated as well as the young men, then took the women to (Dibs) detention camp; the halls were not clean and our condition was very bad, three kids died in our hall, then they released us according to an amnesty decision and transported us to Al-Sulaymaniyyah; they arrested my brothers and sisters who are [NAME REDACTED], also detained my husband ([NAME REDACTED]) in (Qadir Karam), and from my family members ([NAME REDACTED]) all of them were arrested and still remain with an unknown therefore I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hassan, his lieutenants and counselors (Qasim Dari and Mu'tasim with an unknown father's name).

    39- Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1961
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Al-Sulmaniyyah,

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Gula Bakh) village which is part of (Qadir Karam) County, in 1988 April, members of the army landed on ('Imam Zanur) mountain. The army attacked our village by using artillery whereas the forces destroyed and burned the village and even though the army was there, we stayed in the village until night and then fled toward (Qadir Karam). The Army started arresting the men. Our relatives transported us to (Haft Taghar) village. My brothers, my husband ([NAME REDACTED]) and my relatives were arrested and until now their fate remains unknown, therefore I am presenting a complaint against Saddam, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and his lieutenants.

    40 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (1)

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    In 1988, members of my family traveled to (Mila Sura) village and then to (Qura Tu) camp. My mother and I stayed with the village residents in (Kutal). In one day the army entered the village with tanks and bulldozers, destroyed and burned the houses. Later on the same day the village was attacked by the artillery and two of its residents were killed ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]). Then we returned to our country we were arrested and moved to (Nawjul) sub district, then to Tikrit where we were put in a hall for five days and then moved to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) and stayed there for seven months, the diseases spread between us (typhoid, measles, diarrhea, fester in the face) and the halls were dirty, what caused the death of my mother's cousin ([NAME REDACTED]), ([NAME REDACTED]), ([NAME REDACTED]), her children that died in one night and others who I don't remember. There is also a person called ([NAME REDACTED]) he was an officer in the detention camp, he was torturing us as well as the citizens of (Halabja) village whenever he wanted. We were moved to (Al-Samawah) then to ('Arbat). We were released and until now my family's fate remains unknown. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and the other suspects.

    41 - [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1965
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Rizgari County-Kalar district-Al-Sulmaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Qulijan Sarhad) village which is part of (Tilaku) sub district, (Kalar) district and used to live with my family. On 1988 April 05, with the support of the National Defense Regiments, tanks and aircrafts the army attachments attacked our village, so we fled toward the nearest lands and valleys and reached (Qala Chulan) village and stayed there for three days. The army entered the village, arrested the citizens and placed them in military vehicles type ZIL (Soviet vehicles). After twenty days I went to visit my village (Qulijan), I found it destroyed and burned. After seven months, my mother-in-law ([NAME REDACTED]) was released, I asked her about my family and relatives, she told me that they took them to (Qura Tu) and then to (Tupzawa), and that they separated men form women and elderly, and she also told me that they were treated badly, they suffered form hunger, and my mother died from diarrhea and was buried. My family's fate remains unknown. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all who participated and cooperated in this crime.

    42 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1942
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Qulijan Sarhad Village-Kalar district-Al-Sulmaniyyah

    He gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Qulijan) village which consists of thirty families. On 1988 April 04, we were forced to leave the village as the army was attacking other villages. Our village was the highest village therefore, we witnessed other villages being burnt (Faqi Mustafa, Kurdi, Quljan Amin, Surusht, Khan Rustam, Kani 'Ubayd, Hawara Raqi, Iskandar, , Sarkal Najar, Hawara Barza, Turka and Chircha Qila), so we decided to escape using our tractors. While we were fleeing towards (Al-Sumud) complex, we were arrested by the army. We moved to (Qura Tu), then to (Tupzawa) camp where they separated women away from men and elderly. Since then my family's fate remains unknown because we were moved to (Nuqrat Al-Salman). The children's situation was very bad; they were infected with ulcer in their mouths and heads. Many of the arrested persons died. After six months of detention we were released. I am presenting a complaint against 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all who was responsible during that time.

    43 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (4)

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Mahmud Pariza) village, in 1988 April, we were working in our farms, when we were informed about the army moved towards our village, so we left the village and fled towards the nearest plain lands leaving our children with the citizens of (Mahmud Pariza) and (Zarda) villages. Later we returned to find all our houses destroyed and our children were missing, and then the army took us to the place were our children placed, at the brigade of (Chamchamal) then moved us by cars to (Tupzawa). Four days after, they separated the men away from women. My daughter ([NAME REDACTED]) and my nephew ([NAME REDACTED]) died due to a sever sickness. We stayed in the halls for six months. We were moved afterwards to ('Arbat) and then to (Chamchamal). I was released but my husband was paralyzed due to the detention in (Nakrat Salman). I lost my daughter in (Dibis) detention facility and my son ([NAME REDACTED]) was separated with the youth and taken to the mass graves. My son ([NAME REDACTED]) was arrested while he was grazing the sheep with my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and my brother-in-law ([NAME REDACTED]). Until now all of them remain with an unknown fate. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, his lieutenants and all who participated in Anfal operations.

    44 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (2)

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    At the end of April 1988, the Iraqi forces attacked our village, surrounded it, gathered the village citizens in one of the houses and burnt all houses, animals and birds. On the next day, we were moved by military cars type ZIL (Soviet vehicles) to (Tupzawa). The army was arresting and transporting any Kurdish person they encounter on their way. In (Tupzawa) men were separated from women, and there they took my son, father, and mother; they still remain with an unknown fate. I stayed with my grandfather and grandmother who died in the detention facility. We were badly treated in the detention facility. And once while we were standing in line waiting for food an officer named (Ja'far Al-Halawi) tore the clothes of a pretty girl and asked for the presence of her parents and raped her in front of her parents and the people, and killed her after that, by shouting her in the head and then we were taken to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility. We were treated very badly; they separated men away from women and young women away from elder ones. In (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility I was in a hall with six other girls, [NAME REDACTED]from (Kirkuk), ([NAME REDACTED]) from ( Hawraman), ([NAME REDACTED]) from (Kuysinjaq) and there were guards and officers who used to enter the room and assaulted all girls in the room and their names are (Hajjaj), (Shawqi) and (Sakhr) who were (Hajjaj) guards. (Hajjaj) used to rape the girls in front of the other girls. He raped me and raped (Sazan) we shouted and resisted, and once I put my nails in his face, he hit me in the face and until now the marks of the wounds are still on my face and then we were moved to (Tupzawa) camp. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, suspects and the officers who raped us.

    45- Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (1).

    She gave a statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Kura Mura) village in (Qadir Karam) County. In April 1988, our village was attacked by artillery during night, so we fled to the mountains where we were attacked by the army form three places (Qadir Karam, Chamchamal and Kirkuk). They took my husband and other village citizens by military vehicles (Type: Zil). They delivered us to the army in (Bariq) and moved us to (Khalid) camp, then to (Tupzawa). We were in a miserable situation and they did not provide food until the next day. Four days after, we were moved to (Dibis) camp, the halls were dirty and effected with diseases whooping cough, vomiting and number of kids died there. With me was my relative ([NAME REDACTED]) who gave a birth in detention facility after putting under tree leaves, the baby was wrapped with a piece of canvas which stuck with the baby body and the umbilical cord was cut by a piece of glass. After we were released, we were taken to (Bayinjan) then to (Chamchamal), then I knew that (14) of my family members, my husband and relatives were missing and their fate was unknown until now.

    I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in Anfal operations.

    46 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1951
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Kurdistan region

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    In April 1988, the army surrounded (Mahmud Pariza) village and the aircrafts were flying all over it. The citizens of (Mahmud Pariza) and (Zarda) villages were gathered and transported by military vehicles to (Chamchamal) brigade and then to (Tupzawa) detention facility. They were treated badly, men were separated from women, and they took all children for one night and on the next day and they returned some of them. We were left in the detention facility for a week. After moving us to (Dibis) detention for five months, many of the children and women died of hunger, thirst and diseases. My family members were (12), they took four of them [NAME REDACTED]. My father and mother died in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility, the dogs ate the bodies and I don't know the fate of my four family members until now. We were moved to (Tikrit) and then to ('Arbat) and released. When we were in (Dibis) detention facility, the officers used to take the girls to their rooms. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all who were involved in the crime.

    47 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1953
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Kurdistan Region

    She gave his statement after being sworn as the following:

    I am a resident of (Kani Qadir) village in (Qadir Karam) County. Our village is composed of (40) families. In April 1988, springtime, our village was attacked by artillery and aircrafts and as a result to this attack three citizens died; [NAME REDACTED] she was pregnant in her last month, she died with her baby, [NAME REDACTED] and the young girl ([NAME REDACTED]) lost one of her hands. There were also wounded individuals [NAME REDACTED] and others. We had to flee to (Rida Shaka) valley, the attack was still on and we heard the sound of a light bomb followed by seeing its smokes in the village, they asked the men to go to high places and cover their heads with wet blankets and we were told that it was a chemical bomb. ([NAME REDACTED]) arrived and his face was red and tears flowing out of his eyes. It started raining and then we moved to (Razyana) valley; all the village citizens were locating there and the attack was still on. Near (Ibrahim Kalam) village a helicopter landed and took (12) of our men we know 8 of them; they were farmers and poor people. Until now their fate remains unknown; then we moved toward (Qadir Karam) while planes were still flying around us boosted with a big crowd of the army, there my husband ([NAME REDACTED]) was arrested and my husband's relatives ([NAME REDACTED]), ([NAME REDACTED]), ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]) and till now their fate remains unknown. We entered (Qadir Karam) district, the army was calling people who did not have a place where to stay and who were hungry to give them food and as they approached they arrested them and until now they remain with unknown fate, among them was my husband's brother ([NAME REDACTED]). Then I moved with my husband's brother ([NAME REDACTED]) toward Kirkuk then to Kifri and did not go to anyplace and when they released the prisoners I returned with my bother's family to (Al-Sumud) complex. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all who collaborated in this crime.

    48 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1950
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Kurdistan Region

    She gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Wadi Lak) village in (Sangaw) sub district, (Chamchamal) district. in 1988 April, I saw the army surrounding our village so we went to (Awa Spi) village and stayed there for four days then we went to (Sar Qala) for three days, we got surrounded and arrested by the army and taken to Chamchamal then to (Tupzawa) camp. They separated elderly from youth and young girls form women and elderly and the soldiers treated us badly, then they took the men in vehicles to an unknown area and in the same day they transferred us to (Dibis) where we stayed six months. Diseases was all over the place, two of my kids died, [NAME REDACTED] two years old and [NAME REDACTED] five years old, they also took my son ([NAME REDACTED]) and till his fate remains unknown, and my husband disappeared ([NAME REDACTED]), his brothers [NAME REDACTED] and also they took my sister [NAME REDACTED] with her husband and five children. I want to inform the court that in Dibis detention facility, they used to take the girls in order to rape them and return them after midnight and after that, we were released in Chamchamal. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their lieutenants.

    49 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1956
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Darana Village, Nawjul County, Tuz region, Tikrit Governorate

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    On 1988 April 04, I used to live with my family in (Darana) village where the military forces attacked our village and (Dawda) region, so the people had to leave and flee to the valleys. In 1988, April 04 (Dawda) was attacked by the army and its people had to go to (Qulijan Sarhat) in (Zangana) region. The attack was from two sides which led the people to surrender to the army, but I didn't do that because I am a member of Pishmarga. My father, sister ([NAME REDACTED]) and brother [NAME REDACTED] fled toward (Mullah Surah) to surrender. In 1988 I turned myself and when I was going to (Tuz Khurmatu) I asked my father about my brother and sister, he told me that the Iraqi forces moved them to (Qura Tu) then to (Tupzawa) detention facility, where they separated the men from the elderly, and since then No one knows anything about them and my father told me that he was in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility for six months, I also had a brother [NAME REDACTED] turned himself over to (Ba'qubah) security and his fate remains unknown. I will give you two rosters of my family members and village citizens. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan and all who participated in the crime.

    50- Plaintiff / Razaw Baba Yaba
    Date of Birth: 1956
    Profession: Housewife

    Address: Kalar County, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate

    She gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Kani 'Ubayd) village, a part of Kalar district, in 1988 April we were surrounded by the army so we left the village and fled toward the mountains by trucks through the high way that joins between (Tilaku) and (Kalar) regions, and on our way we were arrested by the military forces. In the meantime, aircrafts were flying over us. They took us to (Tupzawa) and they separated women away from men there and put us in halls for one night and then we were transferred to (Dibis) camp. Our village consists of 40 families, fifteen of them did not return and remains with an unknown fate. We were moved to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility and stayed there for four months. One of my kids died ([NAME REDACTED]) four years old; I have another child [NAME REDACTED] who died on our way after the detention. One day, water tankers were brought to the detention facility, all the detainees who drank this water had diarrhea, cholera and started vomiting, the water tasted very bitter and poisoned, many people died, among them my son ([NAME REDACTED]), three of my children were effected and a women named [NAME REDACTED] with her son, and many others. There was an officer named (Hajjaj) used to rape women and I used to see him taking a girl named [NAME REDACTED] to his room rapping her constantly. There was a deaf woman that (Hajjaj) used to tie her hands and threw her among the two corpses and placed her between the dead bodies till late hours in the night. After that, we were released. I present the complaint against Saddam Hussein and his lieutenants. .

    51 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1964
    Profession: Housewife
    Address: Kifri Sub District region, Diyala Governorate

    She gave a statement after being sworn:

    I was a resident in (Sikhakaran) a part of (Kalar) district, in April 1988, our village was attacked and we moved toward (Mila Sura) village. We were arrested by the army and transported by tractors to (Qura Tu) and then to (Tupzawa) after one night. Men were separated away from women and aged women from young ones. Then we were transported to (Dibis) camp where we spent three months. We were suffering from the bad conditions and many kids died; we were then transported to Nuqrat Al-Salman detention facility where our situation was very bad. They brought a water tanker, and whoever drinks from it gets swelling in the head and dies later. The surnamed (Hajjaj) used to beat us by cables, and one day he hit my mother which caused diseases to her heart. I saw him once taking a girl to his room and tying another one to dead bodies. Many prisoners died, among them was my aunt [NAME REDACTED], and I will provide the court with a roster of 31 names of my relatives whose fate is remaining unknown. Then we were moved to (Al-Sumud) complex where my uncle picked me up. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, Officer (Hajjaj) and all who participated in Anfal operations.

    52 - Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1932
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Jalmurd Village, Aghjalar Sub District, Chamchamal region

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Jalmurd) village which used to be consisted of (112) families. In May 1988, one of our relatives whose name was [NAME REDACTED]and lived at (Mam Raysi) Village informed us that (Gup Tapa) Village was attacked by chemical weapons, and in that evening, all the left the village towards a deep valley called (Bayrasha) valley, wherein we stayed for four days, hiding away from the army; then we were attacked by the army attachments by all kinds of weapons where two citizens were killed[NAME REDACTED].

    We were all arrested and taken to (Taq Taq) area by military vehicles (Type ZIL) then to (Tupzawa) detention facility where they divided us into three groups, females and children, youth and elderly. My daughter ([NAME REDACTED]) was pregnant and she gave birth to hey infant in the vehicle. They moved us to (Al-Samawah) where we got separated from the vehicles carrying the ladies and babies and since then I know nothing about them or their fates; we reached (Nuqrat Al-Salman) where the conditions were very bad and people were dying of starvation, among them were my brother [NAME REDACTED] and his wife [NAME REDACTED].

    The next day, three other three died, and we saw their corpse eaten by dogs, and then we were released. I will provide the court with a list of 37 relatives, five of them only returned. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their lieutenants.

    53 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1932
    Profession: Handicapped

    Address: Jalmurd Village, Aghjalar Sub District, Chamchamal

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    In 1988 May 05, the residents of (Gup Tapa) escaped to our village after they were attacked, we panicked and headed towards (Bayrasha) Valley, which is located between (Jalmurd) and (Jaqbaja) villages where we were hiding for three days and on the fourth day, the army surrounded us from three directions and started attacking, then they took us out from the shelters and we walked to (Jalmurd) Village; when we reached our village we found it destroyed, after that we were transported by vehicles (Type: ZIL) to (Taq Taq) area where they placed us in a poultry farm. They separated men away from women, youth from elderly, and transported the youth to (Tupzawa). When we reached there, they divided us into three groups: young women, young men and elderly; and since then I know nothing about their fates. We stayed there for three days and then we were transferred to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility where the conditions were very bad, we were tortured by the surnamed (Hajjaj). Around three detainees were dying daily from starvation and water shortage. After that, I was released, and the names of my relatives that were missing during Anfal operations are: my wife [NAME REDACTED], my children [NAME REDACTED], my brothers ([NAME REDACTED]along with their wives and children) and my cousins. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, the surnamed Hajjaj and their lieutenants.

    54 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1935
    Profession: Farmer

    Address: Qasruk Village, Aghjalar Sub District, Chamchamal District

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Qasruk) Village, a part of (Aghjalar) Sub district. On 1955 May 05, we noticed smokes coming out of our village due to the bombardment, so we took our families to (Khalkhalan) mountain and after two nights, we moved to (Simaqa) mountain then to (Kanbank) Valley where the army captured us and took us to (Taq Taq) and placed us in a poultry farm. On the evening of that day, they transferred us to (Tupzawa) detention facility, where they divided us into three groups: youth, females, kids and the elderly.

    I saw two men that were handcuffed, and I was told that the youth were cuffed and transferred to an unknown location where after spending two nights in (Tupzawa) detention facility, wearing only underwear.

    And since then, I have not seen my family members and their fates remain unknown, mentioning that my family is composed of my wife... [NAME REDACTED] my children ([NAME REDACTED]along with three of her children), and also my brother [NAME REDACTED]family. Then we were moved to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility after we spent two nights at (Tupzawa) where we suffered from the bad treatment, starvation and the unhealthy water; mentioning that I spent for five months and a half in (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility where there were death cases. One of the detainees told me that the total number of dead individuals was 770 and I will provide the court with a roster of 194 individuals that were missing during Anfal operations. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and their lieutenants.

    55 - Plaintiff / [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1936
    Profession: Laborer

    Address: Takya Kaka Mad, Aghjalar Sub District, Chamchamal

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Chughlija) village in Chamchamal. In May 1988, the Iraqi forces attacked our village from three directions and the army burned (Qasruk, Kujina and Ju Ghulayjah) villages; three days after, the military attachments attacked (Chughlija) village and destroyed it by the bulldozers. They arrested the citizens and sent them to (Taq Taq), and then attacked (Bayusha) valley while I was hiding in a shelter with my wife who gave birth a day before. The army located us, I was afraid they will kill me and my family members, and then they took us back to our village which was completely destroyed.

    They transported us by the military bulldozers to (Karukhapa) village then to the organization in (Taq Taq) where we stayed for one night before being transferred to (Tupzawa) where we stayed for three days before, they then transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility where the conditions were bad, and my wife died from starvation. My brother [NAME REDACTED] and I went to a person named (Hajjaj) who beat us with a cable, then my 20-25 days old baby died from starvation, and then I was released. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, Ali Hasan Al-Majid, their lieutenants and the surnamed (Hajjaj).

    56 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: The name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (1).

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Khidir Rayhan) village in Qadir Karam Sub district. On 1988 April 09, there was an attack on the whole area and due to the heavy attacks and the military attachments presence, we moved towards Qadir Karam Sub district, on our way, we found an armored group, we didn't recognize if they were Pishmarga or a group of the National Defense Regiments; they transported us by SUV's (military color) to a police station where we were arrested then we were transferred to the Brigade Headquarters in Chamchamal, then to (Tupzawa).

    In one of days they divided us into two groups and moved us to Al-Mawsil then Al-Ramadi. We were suffering from thirst. I saw a group of military members in SUVs shooting at the people. In the vehicle, there were people I knew such as ([NAME REDACTED]) from (Qashqa) Village, [NAME REDACTED], [NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED]. Our vehicle was exposed to gun shots and people started to fall one after the other, and I got into a coma. They were shooting at us from a distance of one meter, two corpses were lying on, of them was ([NAME REDACTED]) and I don't remember the other one, I got out of the car and started running till I fall in a pit full of corpses, I saw a corpse of someone I know [NAME REDACTED].

    I was trying to escape by following the light; the whole area was full of covered pits. So I went to Al-Ramadi Complex then to Kirkuk through Al-Ramadi and Baghdad. I am presenting my complaint against Saddam Hussein, Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their lieutenants as well as the person who arrested us named (Qasim Agha Kuya).

    26- Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (2)

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Kani Qadir) village in Qadir Karam Sub district. On 1988 April 06, the army attachments attacked the region using all types of weapons. The attack was on the north side of our village and injured four individuals, mentioning that two young girls [NAME REDACTED], six years old and [NAME REDACTED] escaped to our village. We left the village to hide in the caves. The next day the army attachments attacked (Shazasha and Shaykh Hamid) villages, and I saw the army destroying these villages including ours, since we were located on a hill, then we left to (Qadir Karam) Sub district where the government loudspeakers were asking the people to surrender. I did surrender along with a person named [NAME REDACTED], we were transferred to ('Alyawa) area then to the Brigade Headquarters in (Chamchamal) by coasters without supplying water or food.

    In the evening, we were taken to (Tupzawa) detention facility where we were beaten right after entering the facility; there, I met my brother and spent two nights and one day without food or water, we were suffering from the bad conditions. They brought around 17 vehicles and started to call names, my name was one of the last names that were called. The cars started moving, the weather was very hot and we were thirsty, and after one hour of driving the vehicles stopped, and we heard shooting and sound of bulldozers, at that moment we knew that we are going to be killed, we were about 500 persons. Three soldiers approached our vehicle so we decided to attack them and when one of soldiers tried to approach one of us in order to cover his eyes and take him for execution, we attacked him and we were able to control him, but the other soldiers started shooting at us, I got injured in my waist and a number of detainees were killed among them were [NAME REDACTED]and others that I did not know. After I got injured, the other two soldiers were injured too, so I left the vehicle and I started running in the opposite way to the mass grave until I reached a house where, the hosts gave me food and cured my wound, and then they drove me to the garage in Al-Ramadi, then I went home. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and everyone who participate in Anfal operations.

    58- Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (1)

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Gup Tapa) village. On 1988 May 13, I was out of the village as I am working in the agriculture when I saw a squadron of four aircrafts moving ahead to ('Askar) village and other four were moving towards (Surqashan) village. They attacked both villages. The attack was carried from a low level of altitude and the wind direction was towards our village which brought the smell of the chemical weapons that smells like rotten apple. Some people were affected by the chemical weapon, after that we brought three agriculture vehicles and took the injured persons, females and kids to (Sutka and Mayla) villages.

    When we reached (Saruchawa) and (Gupala) areas, the army surrounded the vehicles and arrested the people who tried to escape back to our village.

    They gathered the people in three military vehicles (Type ZIL). The army escorted the people who were transported by agricultural vehicles to (Kirkuk-Chamchamal) Road, and then we moved towards (Qal'at Susi) Susi Castle where they transferred us to the Emergency Directorate in Al-Sulaymaniyyah then to (Tupzawa) detention facility. They divided us into three groups: females, males and children, and in the next morning I saw them taking the men to an unknown direction, and they transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility. We were suffering from starvation and thirst where many detainees died as a result to that, and I participated in burying 20 persons including [NAME REDACTED] that died because of the bad conditions in the detention facility. The total number of the death people was 1800 detainees. I was released after spending 4 months and 7 days in the detention facility. Therefore, I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, his lieutenants and against consultants (Majid Al-Shaykh Hasan), (Qasim Agha) and (Fattah Agha)

    59- Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (2)

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Jalmurd) village in (Aghjalar) Sub district. On 1988 May 05, we were informed that (Gup Tapa) village was chemically attacked and that half of its residents were killed. That night we left the village to (Baya rasha) Valley, we saw a smoke coming out from there and we stayed there for four day. After that the army attacked us with all kinds of weapons and killed two of us, my nephews [NAME REDACTED], then we moved back to our village (Jalmurd).When we reached there, the soldiers were destroying the village by bulldozers.

    After that, they transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention facility and divided us in halls where the situations were very bad. The cholera and diarrhea spread between us and we were suffering from starvation, after that we returned to (Tupzawa) then to (Chamchamal) and finally they took us to (Al-Sulaymaniyyah). I provided the court with a list of my family members that were missing and also a list of the persons that were detained.

    60- Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (1)

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    On 1987 April 16, I was with my family which is consisting of my father [NAME REDACTED], my mother [NAME REDACTED], my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and my sisters [NAME REDACTED] in (Tutma) village. Before the sunset, several aircrafts flew over Balisan area and attacked several villages using Balisan, Tutama and Khati), I heard about these villages but I witnessed my village.

    The next morning, the inhabitants' eyes were shading tears, and after ten minutes, we smelled something like garlic or rotten apples, mentioning that the number of citizens in our village ranged between 80-100 families. The citizens started vomiting and having difficulties inbreathing, among them was my cousin [NAME REDACTED] and my relative [NAME REDACTED] who were burned and the bubbles started to appear on their skin. Then, I left the village along with my family to (Wari) village, I had dyspnea and my eyes started shading tears. After five or six months, we went to the compulsory complexes in (Shikarta).

    On 1988 May 18, the aircrafts hovered over (Wari) and (Balisan) villages where I witnessed bombs falling on (Wari) village and neighboring areas. The wind direction was towards (Shikarta) complex, after ten minuets we started smelling a bad smell like rotten apples then the inhabitants of (Shikarta) Complex started vomiting and having dyspnea. Before entering the village I saw the corpse of my cousin [NAME REDACTED] who died from the chemical weapons. His nose was bleeding and foam was coming out of his mouth, also I saw the corpse of [NAME REDACTED] and more than 18-20 corpses, one of them was for a one and half year old baby, all died from the chemical weapons. They took me to (Burish) Hospital at (Khati) village, which belongs to the Pishmarga, there was a number injured individuals. When I entered the village I saw dead livestock and no one was there, after that I returned to (Shikarta).

    I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, their lieutenants and pilots who attacked my village and the organization who soled the weapons.

    61 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (2)

    He gave a statement after being sworn:

    I was living in (Wari) village and on 1988 May 18, I saw eight aircrafts, four of them hovered over (Balisan) village and four went to an unknown neighborhood, then they attacked the village using chemical weapons.

    I was out of the village and I went back to help my family and when I came close, I saw two corpses belonging to [NAME REDACTED] and his mother [NAME REDACTED].

    The wind direction was towards us and it was carrying chemical gas, I moved in another road where I saw an agricultural vehicle driven by [NAME REDACTED], he was transporting 15 wounded citizens, I knew some of them, the driver told me that he will take them to (Shurish) Hospital. I also saw[NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED] and I asked them to come with me to the village and when we entered the village we saw the dead livestock and two corpses, one on the street for [NAME REDACTED] and the other one in the mosque water basin for my cousin [NAME REDACTED], and other 18-20 corpses near the spring, I knew some of them. I saw the corpses thrown on each other, some of them were babies. I agreed with [NAME REDACTED]to gather the corpses in order to bury them and to transport them by the agricultural vehicle to (Shikarta) area. The total number of dead and injured persons was around 40. On our way to there, we were stopped by an army checkpoint where there were the National Defense Regiments, they prevented us from passing through, then we went to (Qashan) area and we left the corpses and the injured persons near a water spring. My eyes became red and I had dyspnea due to the transportation of corpses. Our relatives in (Saruchawa), (Chuwar Qurna) and Shikarta) were informed and they went to the [NAME REDACTED] to take his permission for help the injured persons and to bury the corpses.

    ([NAME REDACTED]) and the families came to the area and buried the corpses. I will provide the court with a list of the individuals that were buried in that cemetery, and their number is 35) persons, twenty of them are my relatives.

    The injured individuals were secretly transported to the neighboring villages to get treatment and two months after, five or six of them died. After two months, we returned to our village where we found dead livestock and some of the crops were still valid.

    On 1988 August 10, our village was again attacked by chemical weapons along with (Tutma) village, and after aircraft bombardment, the army attachments and the National Defense Regiments used all types of weapon in attacking the village. They were destroying the villages, stealing the livestock and destroying the mosques. I am presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their assistants.

    62 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiffs security), which had been given code No (3)

    She gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Tutma) village, which was constantly attacked, the thing that forced us to leave to (Wari) village, where we stayed for a year. The attacks on (Wari) village started on the last day of Ramadan where many civilians were injured and killed. During the aircrafts attack I heard my son calling me and when I approached him, he was lying on the ground and foam was coming out of his mouth where also a person named [NAME REDACTED] died, I fell beside him fainted, they moved me with the dead bodies thinking that I was dead, when I started vomiting they transferred me to an unknown place. They took my brother and my sister ([NAME REDACTED] to their house. My husband [NAME REDACTED] and my son's wife [NAME REDACTED] were injured and moved to (Khati) hospital. We stayed in (Shikarta) complex, my husband died after three years; I lost my vision and remained in constant pain as a result to the accident.

    I'm presenting a complaint against Saddam Hussein and his lieutenants.

    63 - Plaintiff "Protected" (TC: the name had been veiled for plaintiff's security), which had been given code No (4)

    She gave a statement after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Sartika) Village. In the beginning of 1988 autumn, we had left the village for being attacked by the aircrafts and artilleries, after going to (Irbil) we stayed there for eight or ten days; my husband had come back to the village and found it destroyed by bulldozers; he told us that we lost every thing and our farms were destroyed. After three days; my husband [NAME REDACTED]went back to the village and the army arrested him there. We were informed about that from (Kuri) Village, I did not get any more information, and his destiny is still unknown until now. I do request to file complain against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their affiliates.

    64- The Plaintiff ((Protected)) who indicated with number (1); he stated the following after being sworn:

    I am from (Tup Khana) Village, (Qadir Karam) Sub District. In the fourth month of the year 1988, the Army detachments attacked the area, our village, where tanks and helicopters supported them. As we were afraid of chemical weapons; we went to (Qadir Karam) Sub District and surrendered to the military forces there, to a unit named (Army of Bariq) (T.C: Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah was the Commander of the 66th Special Forces Brigade operation with the Oil Protection Forces). They moved us to ('Alyawa) area, then to (Chamchamal) Brigade headquarters, and then they took us to Tupzawa camp; where prisoners were tortured there. They put us, my cousin [NAME REDACTED]and me, in cars with a group of people. The cars moved, after that the car turned to a sandy road full of road humps, we were in starving from hunger and many of the prisoners got unconscious, because of hunger and thirst. I saw by my own eyes a prisoner who had urinated in his shoe and drank it; we heard a fire shot noises. After the car had stopped the two guards got down and left us inside the car then they came back and put two prisoners inside the car after they were handcuffed and blindfolded. Then they came back and took two prisoners and we were hearing shooting noises. The number reached to eight persons, at that time I sat beside my cousin, as I wish to be killed with him. They have tied my hands and blindfolded my eyes with a white cloth and one of them pulled me from my hand, as we walked to a short distance he told me to (Set down) and (Lay down) besides my cousin and he asked us to lie down on the ground together. The fire shooting started on us and I do not know the number of shots. I did not feel any pain and I pretended that I am dead, and then he pulled us on the ground. This process was repeated several times, the prisoners in the car were (35) prisoners. When I had untied my hands and removed the cloth over my eyes, I saw a big hole where they were throwing the killed prisoners inside it. I made use of their absence, I crawled to the hole, and I saw the dead bodies and a bulldozer. When they had gone away, I jumped out of the hole, ran for a distance, and continued walking until the morning where I reached Al-Ramadi and there, I went to one of the houses there, where I got some food and drink, after that I directed to Baghdad, Kirkuk and Tikrit. I request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the persons affiliated in Anfal Crime and the chemical attack.

    65- The Plaintiff ((Protected)) who indicated with number (2); after being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of (Khidir Rayhan) Village of Qadir Karam. In the fourth month of the year 1988, the Army detachments attacked us from two axes. The loudspeakers were announcing a general amnesty on us; so we decided to surrender to Qadir Karam Police Station, they brought a military vehicles type Zil and moved us to (Chamchamal) Police Station, after tying our eyes and hands. We stayed there for one night then they brought buses and moved us to (Tupzawa) where we stayed for two days. The arrested number was between (500 -1000) persons, in the morning they had brought (10 - 12) buses and they ridded us in the buses, where the bus turned away to a sandy road in a sandy area, where we heard noises of bulldozers and fire shooting. We had stopped in a wasteland, and then a guard holding a Kalashnikov brought down one prisoner from the bus and tied his eyes, where prisoners attacked the guard; during this, the guards started shooting us. I saw my friends falling dead, because of the shooting.

    I do remember some of their names [NAME REDACTED] and they were in the bus with me. I was saved from the execution and I do not remember how, I had reached to the city knocking the houses' doors, food and drink were provided to me, after that I reached to Kirkuk. I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the persons affiliated in Anfal Crime.

    66- The Plaintiff ((Protected)) who indicated with number (3); after being sworn, he stated the following:

    I was residing in (Hiran) Village; in the early morning of 1988 August 10, the aircrafts started attacking the village and because of that I lost my vision, I was moved to (Kani Maran) Village. At that time, I received no news about my husband [NAME REDACTED]and my son ([NAME REDACTED]). After that, they moved me to Irbil, with my mother and sister, who took me to my father's house. Where, they moved me to a private hospital in Irbil and made a surgery to me there. After the surgery, they took me to house of my uncle [NAME REDACTED]and when the amnesty was issued, my husband came back and told me that my son died as a martyr. I lost one of my eyes and there are slivers in my body. I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their affiliates.

    67- The Plaintiff ((Protected)) who indicated with number (4); after being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of (Qara Salim) Village of Qadir Karam. In the fifth month of the year 1988, the Military forces attacked our village and arrested some of its people. The arrested people were hidden (they were Anfalized), as part of Anfal operation. Some of those people could escape, including me, as I escaped to Irbil. After one month, we asked about our men who stayed in the village. They were hiding in the surrounded mountains; after a secret general amnesty was issued, my husband [NAME REDACTED] with his cousins [NAME REDACTED] whom are sons of [NAME REDACTED], surrender themselves to the Legal Advisor (Colonel Hamid). I heard that (Colonel Hamid) handed them over to the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid). Since that time, we received no news about them, and I still do not know their fate. Large number was "Anfalized" from my relatives and my village people. I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their affiliates.

    68- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1975
    Profession: Laborer

    Place of Residence: Raniya District, Hajiyawa Sub District, Sector 4, Near to the Sub District Directorate

    After being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of (Wari) Village. In the spring of the year 1988, the Army troops attacked (Balisan) Valley, and on 1988 May 18; I was living with my family in the village, where that day I was out of the village for irrigating the corps and when I came back to the village; four aircrafts intensively attacked our village. The explosion noise was low, I found ([NAME REDACTED] thrown in a pool of a Milky color-water and I saw people suffering of Eye-Redness, Dyspnea and Runny-Nose. I remember, some of them [NAME REDACTED], he is my cousin, [NAME REDACTED], he is my uncle, [NAME REDACTED], sons of [NAME REDACTED], and their young sister [NAME REDACTED]. Then I escaped with three of the village people and after 45-minute of walking, I had got the infection of the chemicals and found a difficulty in breathing; I fall down and got unconsciousness. Two shepherds found me and took me to Khati Village, after that they took me to my uncle's , [NAME REDACTED] house in Shikarta Complex and there I knew that (35) of my village people were killed by the chemical weapons; (20) persons of my family and (15) of the village people. I submit a names list for those people, whom were buried in Qashan Valley. There were some injured persons; I remember some of them, as my cousin [NAME REDACTED] who was two years old, he was died after that. In addition, my uncle's wife [NAME REDACTED], who was died after three days of being injured, and my uncle [NAME REDACTED]and his sons. After that, some injured were moved to Shurish Hospital (T.C: The Pishmarga Hospital). I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan, the pilots attacked the village and the party that sold the chemical weapon to Saddam Hussein.

    69- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1954
    Profession: Pishmarga personnel

    Place of Residence: Mangish Sub District-Duhuk Governorate stated the following after being sworn:

    I am a resident of (Kurimi) Village of (Mangish) Sub District; my village was destroyed several times by the former regime. On 1988 August 25 we tried to go to the Turkish border but we could not do that, because we were surrounded by the soldiers so we went back to our village and found the village was surrounded by the soldiers. Therefore, we all surrender ourselves to the army; who surrounded us and grouped men apart of women; they took the families to unknown destination and took the men for (150 - 200) Meters away of the village. They ordered us to set down, one officer ordered us to set down and another one ordered to start shooting us. We were thirty-three persons and when they had started shooting us, I ran for a distance of (200) Meters and I was shot by two bullets in my leg that was broken during my escapee. In the next day some persons wearing the Kurdish uniform came and moved me to Mangish village, they placed me in a secondary school and left me there for three days without any medicine. As the army was guarding that school, they moved me to (Nazarki) village, where they were torturing us there. My brother ([NAME REDACTED]), my nephews [NAME REDACTED]who are sons of [NAME REDACTED], usually they were taken to the hall, after being tortured. We stayed there for (21) days, I was seeing cars coming every night to take the people. After that, we were moved to (Bahirka) area, where I saw the visit of 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. We stayed there for three years then we went back to our villages, which we found completely destroyed. Now, I am a handicapped until this moment. I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the affiliates in this crime. A question asked by the court if all persons were killed in the execution process, or there are some survivors? He answered: We were six persons who stayed alive [NAME REDACTED].

    70- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1947
    Profession: Peasant

    Place of Residence: Nazari Village Zawita Sub District-Duhuk Governorate

    After being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of Nazari Village near to Barjini village. In the eighth month of the year 1988, in the morning, the aircrafts flied in village's sky, we heard noises of four or five explosions that were not loud; as a result, a yellow smoke was raised from it in (Barjini) village. I witnessed the attack operation by my own eyes. I had sent my brother ([NAME REDACTED]) to Bairjini village and he told me that village was attacked with chemical weapons. At that time, I took my family and there was no other way to escape, except through Bairjini village. There, I saw two dead bodies of [NAME REDACTED] and I saw a woman laid down on the ground named [NAME REDACTED], where she was intensively affected with the chemicals. We saw two dead bodies down on the ground beside one of the caves in [NAME REDACTED] that we could not bury them, so we put some grass on them and left them. We passed by (Takya) village near to our village, the people there told us that (15) persons were killed by the chemical weapons, after that we had gone to the Turkish border and crossed to the Turkish land; we stayed there for four years then came back to Duhuk City. When we had gone to our village, we found it destroyed and the gardens were destroyed too. I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein and his affiliates.

    71- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1967
    Profession: Employee

    Place of Residence: Duhuk - Karabay Subdivision,

    After being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of Kurimi Village. On 1988 August 25; we received news that the government will attack our village; so we had ran away with our families to the caves after that we went to the borders, there was no chance of survival because the army was surrounding all the main roads so we went back to the caves. In 5 o'clock morning of 1988 August 28, we knew that the army was surrounding us from all directions so we surrender ourselves to the army that moved us, about a hundred Meters far from our village. Then they took us in two groups to (Mangish) village; the men with the old people group, women and children group and only (33) men remained in our group. They took us south of the village about (Two hundred Meters) from our place, there were two officers that ordered us to stop and set down. Order issued to the soldiers to start shooting, the shooting started and I was in the middle of the row. When the shooting ended, I found myself under the dead bodies. After that, an order of shooting one bullet on each dead body was raised to soldiers, where the shoot injured my shoulder. I came out of the dead bodies after soldiers had gone away. I saw my clothes affected by many shots, but it did not affect my body. I saw ([NAME REDACTED], who survived from the execution and the four of us went towards the caves. In the next day, the National Defense Regiments moved us to the headquarters of the Party Command in (Mangish), where we heard about an amnesty. We saw families that surrender themselves to the brigade headquarters in (Batufa) area, where they were separated. They took the four of us to the Military Intelligence prison that belongs to the brigade, then they took us to (Nazarki) fort in (Duhuk), where the food and drinks were in so bad condition. We were moved by cars to (Bahirka) in a flat desert area, and there I saw my mother and father, so many children died there because of hunger and sickness. In 1991 we came back to our village; we found it ruined and without any mosques. I submit to the court a names roster for the people who were hidden as a part of Anfal operation (Anfalized). I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, all of the involved persons in this crime and the officers who shoot us.

    72- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1954
    Profession: Peasant

    Place of Residence: Kurimi Vilklage Mangish Sub District- Duhuk Governorate

    After being sworn, he stated the following:

    I am a resident of (Kurimi) Village. On the night of 1988 August 25-26; we knew form the close villages that the Iraqi forces will make Anfal operations. Therefore we had run away and reached to the street leading to (Kani Masi) but we could not cross it, the people had come back and hidden in the farms and craves that we were living in. In 5 o'clock morning of 1988 August 28; we were attacked and surrounded by the army from all the directions, therefore we surrender ourselves to them; they had taken us to our village and grouped men apart of women and children, they took the women and children to Mangish way. (33) Men of us remained, the officer asked us to get in one row, and they took us south of the village where I saw 16 soldiers, the two officers ordered an order to set down and another one to shoot us, the soldiers shot us and we all fall down. After that, the officer ordered to shoot one bullet on every one of us; and he wounded me in my forehead, and I show it to the court (And the court noticed a clear mark of that on it). When the soldiers had gone, I tired to get up and I saw my father, brothers [NAME REDACTED]and (18) of my relatives, and they were all dead. I saw my cousin ([NAME REDACTED]) wounded in his legs and I put him in a big hole, also I saw [NAME REDACTED] coming out of the dead bodies. I submit to the court a names roster of the people who were killed in the execution operation, and I saw my uncle named ([NAME REDACTED]) whose leg was broken. After that I went with the named ([NAME REDACTED]) to hide in the curves, ([NAME REDACTED]) reached there too, and we stayed there until 1988 September 07 without food or water, then we went to (Ni'lafa) Village where there was the national defense regiments who told us that there is an amnesty; so we went to them and they took us to the headquarters of the Ba'th Party in (Mangish) area. Then they moved us to the brigade headquarters where they beaten and humiliated us before moving us to Nazarki Camp in Dahuk. I saw thousands of men and women in the castle; and then they moved us to (Bahirka) desert area; children died there and I participated in their burial. Cars were coming and taking the Christians and Yezidis to unknown destination, and we do not know their fate until now. After the issue of the amnesty, I took my family to Duhuk. I do request to file a complaint against Saddam Hussein and his group.

    73- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1942
    Profession: Housewife

    Place of Residence: Kani Area-Al-'Imadiyyah District- Sarsanq Sub District

    After being sworn, he stated the following:

    I were residing in (Kizi) village; in August 1988, I went to (Sarki) village along with a woman and three men to bring a bride; and once we got there, we saw a squad of airplanes, so we hidden between the trees, and we heard heavy bombardments where the airplanes stroke twice. Moreover, when we got to (Sarki) village, we saw the bad situation of the people there and their noses was flowing with fluid. We started feeling the same symptoms, so we took the bride back to our village; and my health started recovering there. As we were afraid of attacking our village, we ran to the highway to Turkey, and the people there told us that all the cross points were blocked. Therefore, we turned toward (Kara) Mountain where we stayed in caves. The army moved forward toward (Kara) Mountain and they asked us to hand ourselves over, they grouped and transferred us to (Kani) area and picked us by the vehicles to (Nazarki) Castle, where the soldiers begun attacking us. The number of the arrestees was 96 men; and the next day they brought two windowless military vehicles; they got us in the vehicles including my husband ([NAME REDACTED]), my son ([NAME REDACTED]), and my brother ([NAME REDACTED]), my nephew ([NAME REDACTED]), my husband's nephew ([NAME REDACTED]) and my daughter's husband ([NAME REDACTED]). The vehicles took them to the west, we received no news about them until now, including these people there was (27) men of my cousins and they still missing until now. After that, they moved us to (Bahirka), the situations was so bad there, where (23 - 24) kids were died including ([NAME REDACTED]). I went to Duhuk after the amnesty was issued. I do request a complaint against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, all the persons affiliated in this crime.

    74- The Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Birth: 1949
    Profession: Handicapped

    Place of Residence: Duhuk Governorate

    After being sworn, stated the following:

    I was living in (Bairjini) village of (Zawita) Sub District in Duhuk. In the morning of the 1988 August 25 I heard noise of aircrafts, I saw eight aircrafts flying over our village on low height, it launched some rockets on the village, which resulted in low noises explosions with a white and yellow smoke of fruity-smelled, we got Dyspnea with Eye-Redness and Runny-Nose. I saw birds and flies falling down after the chemical attack, the attack process lasted for (30 - 35) minutes. We, the village people, had gone to the high areas where we found missing persons of the same family, they are ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]). I remember some persons whom were affected; who are '[NAME REDACTED] and my daughter [NAME REDACTED], also I witnessed the death of some persons, who I remember some of them ([NAME REDACTED], as we covered the bodies of the last two persons with tin and tree leaves. Then we all escaped to Turkey, as we passed by several abandoned villages, I was affected by the attack, I was shivering strongly with a terrible headache. When we had reached (Tuyka) village, we saw (15) Corpses in the village, including ([NAME REDACTED]), who is a citizen of Zakhu. After that, we crossed the Turkish borders and dwelled over there until 1991. At the time when we fled away, and during our march, a number of my family members died, including my daughter [NAME REDACTED], my nephew [NAME REDACTED], my cousin [NAME REDACTED] and my uncle [NAME REDACTED]. When I returned to my village, it was destroyed and unoccupied.

    I provide the court with a list of people, who were killed or missed during Anfal operations. I want to take legal actions against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan-al-Majid and all the individuals, who conducted the attack, including pilots and their commanders.

    75- Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1966
    Profession: Pishmarga

    Place of Residence: Kani Complex, Al-'Imadiyyah District.

    The plaintiff stated the following after he took on oath:

    In the morning of 1988 Aug 27, I was a member in Al-Pishmarga at Kizi village. We received orders to gather in our village and move toward Sarki village. When we stopped in front of the village, we saw an aircrafts squadron. I saw two aircrafts bombarding Sarki and Bari Kara villages. By my own binoculars I saw 18 missiles were being launched toward the village, they were emitting three types of smoke; White, Black and Green. After half an hour, we smelled a good scent like apple odor. Shortly there after, our eyes were tearing, our noses were runny and we had breath-shortness. We covered our face with our head dresses. Some members of our group vomited, including the [NAME REDACTED]. After one hour, we carried out the orders and moved toward Rawina village. We noticed that the smoke was still emitting from missiles. We arrived to Shirana Orchard and saw the corpse of [NAME REDACTED] inside it. We returned to our families and houses. After that, we started walking toward the Turkish and Iranian borders. My brother ([NAME REDACTED]) and I crossed the borders towards the Turkish territories, but my father, mother and my brother Sha'ban did not succeed crossing the borders.

    I arrived to the Turkish territories. I was transferred to Iran. I stayed in Iran until 1991; then I returned to my father, mother, uncle and his spouse and I inquired about my brother [NAME REDACTED], my uncle [NAME REDACTED], his sons [NAME REDACTED]. I was informed that they were missing since 1988. I returned to my village and found out that it was completely destroyed. I provide the court with a list of names of Kizi village citizens, who were killed or missing. I want to take legal actions against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all defendants.

    76- Plaintiff Tawfiq [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1957
    Profession: Pishmarga
    Place of Residence: Maqlabi Complex, Duhuk Governorate

    The plaintiff stated the following after he took on oath:

    On 08 August 1988, after the end of Iranian-Iraqi war; the Iraqi government launched a full attack on Bahdinan Area from two axes. In the night of 22-23 August 1988, we received news about a certain assault against our village, which will be carried out from two axles. All the village inhabitants escaped toward the Turkish borders. We returned in the night to our village because we could not cross the borders. Two aircrafts flied from Matin Mountain toward the village. The village was bombarded, and approximately four to five missiles were launched. We looked at the bombardment site and saw missiles emitting yellowish smoke. Our eyes became red, so we knew that it was a chemical weapon. I went back to the village to bring supplies, where I found a person named [NAME REDACTED], his eyes were tearing and his nose was runny. We found three burnt corpses inside in the house. The three corpses were for [NAME REDACTED], his spouse and [NAME REDACTED]. We buried the corpses without wrapping them with cloth.

    All families were going toward the Turkish borders. We succeeded in crossing the Turkish borders on 02 September 1988. We were transferred to Kithri Complex then to Mushya Complex. A lot of people died because they were exposed to chemical weapons, including [NAME REDACTED]. I have a list of my village people, who were infected.

    In 1991, we returned to our village. It was destroyed; all houses and orchards were destroyed. The livestock were killed. The remains still exist until now. I want to take legal actions against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and their collaborators.

    77- Plaintiff Taymur [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 01 January 1976
    Profession: Laborer
    Place of Residence: USA, Washington.

    The plaintiff stated the following after he took on oath:

    On April 1988, I was living in Kulaju village, Tilaku Sub district, Kalar District. We received news that the Iraqi troops were concentrating near our village. We left the village; we went to Mila Sur village and stayed there, for three years. We decided to return to our village, but the army and National Defense Regiments were moving forward toward our village. They detained us along with other villages' inhabitants. We were transferred by vehicles from Kalar to Qura Tu Area. The detention camp was extremely dirty and we were left out with out food or water for ten days. After that, we were transferred to Tupzawa detention camp. The conditions were very bad and we were treated brutally. After thirty days, they transported us, using closed vehicle that did not have any windows. Two little girls died because of the lack of ventilation. After driving for a while, all vehicles changed the route. We were taken into uneven unpaved road, when the vehicles stopped and their doors were opened, we saw a big hole full of women and children corpses. Bulldozers were removing the sand in order to bury the corpses. We were kicked brutally and forced to get out of vehicles. We were taken to the hole, which were surrounded by armed soldiers. One of the soldiers shot the people inside the hole. I was shot in my shoulder but I pretended that I was died. I saw a pregnant woman, which was shot in her head. I was with my mother [NAME REDACTED] and my sisters, in the hole. I will provide the court with a list of victims' names. I saw my mother and sisters getting shot. The shooting were intensive as rains drops and the hole was full of blood. After the firing stopped, the soldiers walked away from the hole. There was a little girl inside the hole, who survived from shooting. The hole was not big and the height was less than one meter. I was moving from one hole to another. I fled from the area. While I was walking, I saw a tent. The owner of the tent came out when his dogs attacked me. I asked him for help. He gave me clothes, food and water. He took me to an adjacent village, where I was provided with medical care.

    After that, I moved to Kalar Area, Al-Sumud Complex. I resided with my uncle [NAME REDACTED], but after that intelligence knew that I came back; one of my uncles ([NAME REDACTED] sent me to one of the destroyed villages. I resided there until 1991 then I came back to my uncle's house.

    I want to take legal actions against Saddam Hussein, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and every one, who participated in Anfal Campaign [T.C: His story was reported in the 1993 annual report of the Human right Watch and many local and international books were published on him such as (Cruelty and Silence by Kan'an Makkiya)] .

    (Summary of the prosecution witnesses' statements)

    1- Witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1969
    Profession: Laborer
    Place of Residence: USA, Virginia

    The witness stated the following after he took on oath:

    He stated that he surrendered after he informed by one of the Pishmarga men, about the amnesty. He was taken to the Northern Kurdish Affairs Organization. He was mistreated. After we were detained, we were transferred by vehicles. We were informed that we were being taken to Baghdad. After the vehicles started moving, they stopped and detainees were taken out of the vehicles. I was the seventh detainee, who was taken out of the vehicle. They took us far away from the vehicle. We were ordered to sit down. When I sat down, I saw a hole.

    When I sat down, I was hit on the back of my head, where I fall down inside the hole. I saw one of the guys inside the hole and I lost my consciousness. When I regained my consciousness, I found lower half of my body was buried under the sand, I saw the shovel went away in order to bring more sand. I tried to leave the hole, benefiting from the dark, dust, Where guards were busy in bringing detainees. I left the hole. I believe that they did not shot detainees, but they were put inside the hole and they were buried alive.

    2- Witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1970
    Profession: Laborer
    Place of Residence: USA, Virginia

    The witness stated the following after he took on oath:

    On May 1988, the Iraqi aircrafts bombarded our area (Balisan), particularly Warti village. The chemical weapons were used in bombardment and more than 300 persons were killed. I do not know their names because I did not reside in this village at that time, but I was a member in Pishmarga and our headquarters was near this village.

    3- Witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1948
    Profession: An Educational supervisor in the Ministry of Education
    Place of Residence: Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    The witness stated the following after he took on oath:

    I am a resident of Gup Tapa village. On 03 May 1988, I noticed the movements of the army, which raised my suspicions at that time. We felt that our lives in danger. In that day, I saw the aircrafts, which I cannot remember its number. They bombarded other villages. Our village was bombarded and the smoke was rising from it. The noise generated from the bombing was minor. The wind was still. I was standing opposite to the wind direction. I yelled and called the village inhabitants. I realized that the village was bombarded with chemical weapons because I served in the army, in the chemical classification unit. I was trained on the chemical weapons. At that time, I lost 25 of my family members; I remember my mother [NAME REDACTED], my wife [NAME REDACTED] and my kids [NAME REDACTED]. Only my daughter [NAME REDACTED] survived. I also lost my two brothers [NAME REDACTED]and [NAME REDACTED], their wives and all their kids, who killed in this incident. All of them resided in Gup Tapa village. After ten minutes from the bombarding, we went toward the village. I was accompanied by my brother in law and my friends. We were four people. I asked them to use their Kurdish textile belts as masks after soaked them in water. I covered my mouth, nose and my eyes with a cloth in order to protect them. In the middle of road, I met one girl, who told me "no one left for you", which means in Arabic "All your family members died".

    The village was bombarded from three sites, which form a geometrical shape of a triangle because the majority of houses are located there. The village was bombarded in Ramadan at the sunset time, because all people fast and they gather to eat food. In addition, the village was bombarded in the night time because people cannot be rescued easily and the army intended to cause many casualties. My family tried to reach the stream to use the water. I heard the moaning of a little kid. I had a portable electrical lamp with me. I was checking casualties, where I saw more than seventy persons of my family lied down on the ground within an area of 500 square meters. I could not count the number of casualties accurately. All of them were my family members. They were infected by chemical weapons. I saw a woman, who was laid down in the stream on her chest. I heard the moaning of her baby, who was laid down close to her. She was trying to protect her baby. I carried the baby and took him inside the house. I took his clothes off, washed him and covered him with a blanket, and then I left the house.

    I saw a woman laid down on her chest in the stream. When I turn her body around, I figured out that she was my mother. After I saw the rest of my family members, I left the village. After five days, I was starving and I did not know where to go. I was accompanied with five persons. I tried to return to the village but I realized that the army is gathering in the village. They were detaining the inhabitants and burning their villages. We walked away from the army and hid behind the big rocks. I saw the so called [NAME REDACTED], who is from Jalmur Village he was in a hurry. We asked him what he sea, he answered that a lot of military troops are combing the villages and arresting the inhabitants. He warned us that the army will come here; therefore, we have to run and save ourselves from them. I asked him about my father, he told me that all inhabitants were arrested.

    4- Witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1957
    Profession: Surgeon
    Place of Residence: Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    The witness stated the following after he took on oath:

    Since 04 April 1982 until 1989, I worked as a doctor in Pishmarga forces at Kurdistan Area. We had a hospital named "Shurish". Since I have started working in the hospital in 04 April 1982 until 17 April 1987, all the casualties I treated were caused by conventional weapons. In the night of 17-18 1987, I was in Birki village, which is considered as a part of Sar Chinar village. I was waken up and informed that we had a casualty caused by a chemical weapon. I saw the man, whose name was [NAME REDACTED], he was blind because his eyes were red, swollen and continuously tearing. His face was red and he was suffering from dyspnea. According to my medical knowledge, this person was infected by Mustard Gas. After two days, in the night of 19-20 April 1987, we left Birkli village and went to Bargalu village. We planned to go through Qizla village, but we took another route because it was contaminated with chemical weapons. On 21 April 1987, I arrived to Bargalu and started working in a hospital located inside the village. [NAME REDACTED] and I were treating affected people. There were a lot of people, who were infected by chemical weapons. I treated eight people out of the thirty, and I found out that they were infected by chemical weapons. There was a little kid, who was eight to nine years old; he was also infected by chemical weapons. During my work in the hospital, by the Walkie-Talkie device of the commander of Pishmarga forces, they informed me that Qara Dagh, Warin, Jafran Areas were bombarded by chemical weapons. After ten days, I returned from Bargalu to Qara Dagh. I was shocked when I saw casualties, whom were infected by chemical weapons. They were four individuals. One of them was called [NAME REDACTED]. All of them were infected in their eyes, as they were infected in Qara Dagh village, by chemical weapons. It is my duty to illustrate to the court that since 1985, we deserted our villages and established headquarters for Pishmarga forces. These headquarters were located far away from villages.

    As he Stated: On 1987 February 27, at 3:00 pm, a group of aircrafts flied over Qara Dagh. We felt that the aircrafts are going to bombard the area and in fact that what happened. The noise of explosions was minor. I left the shelter, which I was hiding inside. I saw a lot of smoke rising in the air. The smoke was around 700 meter far away from our location. I smelled a scent similar to the odor of rotten apple. I called all the people inside the shelter in order to leave it because the used weapon is a chemical weapon. I informed one of Al-Pishmarga members to go to Balk Jar village, in order to warn the inhabitants that chemical weapons are the weapon being used. After 30 minutes, I was informed that Balkha, Takya and Balk Jar were bombarded by chemical weapons and hundreds were infected by these weapons. The mustard gas was used in these weapons. This gas penetrates certain areas of the body (Eyes, skin and digestive system). This gas has a direct effect on the respiratory and digestive systems in addition to eyes. It also causes cancer after 12 years from the first infection; moreover, it weakens the immune system and causes blood cancer. In the night of 22-23 March 1988, I was at my house in Imam Hamzah listening to the radio. I heard an odd suspicious sound. I left the house and went to an elevated place. I was sure that the sound was coming from Siwsinan Area. It was winter time. It took place at the sunset time. I was able to see a light looks like fire coming from Siwsinan Area. There was a smoke rising in the sky. After 30 to 45 minutes, [NAME REDACTED] came to my house and told me that Siwsinan Area was bombarded by chemical weapons and I have to go to the hospital. There were around 70 casualties infected by the nerve gas. We gave them medicines and no body of them died. I recognized one of them, his name was [NAME REDACTED]but I do not know his father's name. His spouse and four kids died from the chemical bombardment. In addition, there was a person called [NAME REDACTED], whose spouse and all his family members died. I also recognized two persons, who are [NAME REDACTED]. We were informed at that night that 72 people died in Siwsinan Village. It is worth mentioning that all the inhabitants of this village work in agriculture and has nothing to do with politics.

    There was one member in Pishmarga forces, called [NAME REDACTED]. I can remember that his mother was always asking him to leave Pishmarga forces because she was worried that he gets killed. A missile targeted his house at that night and killed all his family members. He was the only survivor. In the same night, Dukan village was bombarded by chemical weapons. The bombardment on Qara Dagh Areas did not stop until 26 March 1988. The Katyusha missiles, which are provided with chemical weapons, were launched from Dirbandi Khan Area toward Qara Dagh, including Michu, Siburi, Takya, Bafran, Diwana, Balkha, Balak Jar and Bijar Riskur Villages.

    In addition, he stated: On 03 May 1988, around the 7 o'clock and 15 minutes (Summer time), the aircrafts flied over Quzlu and we heard the sound of explosions, which were minor. We knew that it was chemical weapons bombardments. After 30 minutes, I was informed that Kani Hanjir and Gup Tapa Villages, which are located with Agha Bilal District, were bombarded.

    Some other villages, which are located within the same district of (Agha Bilal), were also bombarded. I realized that from the casualties that were brought from these villages. After half an hour, 'Askar Area was bombarded by chemical weapons. The wind carried the chemical gases from 'Askar village to Quzlu Area. A group of my friends and I were infected by the chemical weapons. We suffered from cough, sore throat and itchy eyes. I went after that to a hospital located close to Khati village. I stayed there from 18 to 20 August 1988. I cannot remember the exact date when the aircrafts flied over our village. I was very happy because the aircrafts did not bombard the area and I did not hear any explosions. At 11:00 pm, some of the Pishmarga told me that some casualties, who were infected by chemical weapons, were brought to the hospital. When I went out the hospital, I found a military vehicle (Type Zil) in front of the hospital door. The vehicle was full of casualties. The number of casualties was around 30 persons.

    After I treated the casualties, I found out that they were infected by nerve gas. I worked all the night in order to provide them with medical care. Next day, around 30 casualties were brought from Wari Village by a truck to the hospital. I checked the casualties and found out that they were infected with nerve gas. I found an old women and a little kid among the casualties. I treated the little kid first, and then when I went back to the truck to bring the women inside the hospital, she was dead.

    I confirm to the court that all the villages mentioned in my statement were bombarded using Katyusha missiles or launchers, which was provided with chemical weapons. In addition, none of the Pishmarga forces headquarters were established in these villages and none of the battles took place in it, in particular Siwsinan, Gup Tapa and Gulan Villages.

    5- Witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1972
    Profession: Employee
    Place of Residence: Shurish Sub district, Jam Jamal District

    The witness stated the following after he took on oath:

    On 15 April 1987, I was living in (Sangaw) Sub District and under a decision from the Government that states that the inhabitants must evacuate the area within (15-20) days; otherwise they will destroy the house over our heads. I have no idea about the decision number. After that, we moved to (Chamchamal) District where we stayed around a month, there. Then, the Government informed us that we had to take a piece of land and some tents to live in. They also told us that they would build the (Shurish) modern city for us; on the contrary, we were living in tents and the military posts with no services like electricity or water surrounded us. In April 1988, the Government decided to evacuate the inhabitants from (Sangaw) area and the surrounding villages.

    6- The witness [NAME REDACTED]
    Date of Birth: 1972
    Profession: Employee

    Place of Residence: Chamchamal District, Shurish Sub District.

    He said by oath:

    In 1987, I was living in (Sangaw) and in 15 April 1987, the Government obliged us to leave (Sangaw) Sub District and to move to Chamchamal, informing us that they would destroy the houses in (15-20) days over our heads if we do not leave them. We went then to Chamchamal with a hope to find suitable houses to live in, some of us went at his relatives' and others sought for houses. I rented a house with my uncle's family in Chamchamal and after a period, the authorities ordered us to move to the Administrative District for receiving tents to live in (Shurish) Complex. The Authorities also informed us that we would be deprived from rights such as food and Civil Department services if we do not get tents and they will arrest us. When we were in (Sangaw) they told us that we will be moved to a modern complex, but unfortunately, we were transported to a wasteland with no electricity nor water in Shurish Complex.

    7- A ((protected)) witness said by oath:

    On 11 April 1987, I was a doctor in the (Bargalu) Hospital. This area was being continuously bombarded; but on that day, it was different because we did not hear the missile explosions as we used to. We were afraid and we thought that there were no casualties, but after (15) minutes, some patients came to the Hospital suffering from diseases such as: (redness of the eyes and skin). After checking them, I discussed the issue with the rest of Doctors in the Hospital and we found that these were symptoms caused by the use of chemical weapons, mainly, (Mustard Gas). The majority of the casualties were from the inhabitants of the Bargalu village, where the hospital is located.

    After a period from the first bombardment and while I was on duty in the external clinic, I heard the bombardment noises on the area. At that moment, a patient came in and told me that they were bombarding. I walked out with him and saw the smoke rising and going down and after that expanding on the ground. The sound was low and this is what distinguishes the chemical bombardment from the ordinary one, because the smoke of the regular bombardment was grey and goes up. I shouted saying that it was a chemical bombardment and we had to take the necessary protection measures. I left the hospital with the rest of the employees and went to the valley, which was safe..., and I saw some farmers of this area's inhabitants who were hurt while they were working on their lands. The attack was in the areas of (Sargalu, Bargalu, Duli and Jafayati) and it was an artillery bombardment.

    8- A ((protected)) witness said by oath:

    I am a doctor since 1981. I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 1979 and on 16 April 1987 I was on duty in (Khati) Dispensary in the (Balisan) Valley of the Khalifan District, which is one hour and the half drive from the city of Irbil and it is two hours drive from the Iranian Borders. We received information on military gatherings on the rivers of the (Khalifan) and (Chuwar Qarna) Valley and we took the necessary precautions. Before it got dark, I was standing on the Dispensary yard in Khati Village when I saw a huge number of helicopters and war aircrafts coming from (Irbil). I counted around ten helicopters flying on low height and counted the aircrafts that were about (6-8) flying higher than the helicopters, we did not understand that. The aircrafts hovered over the villages, on the valley and I saw them targeting (Balisan, Shaykh Wasanan). I also saw the helicopters throwing down the bombs on the roads that are leading to the valley and I saw an aircraft throwing down a bomb that made a low sound and released a dense smoke. This bomb fall onto roads leading to Khalifan. I saw the same type of bombs falling behind the mountain and we heard low noises coming from Balisan, Shaykh Wasanan villages. After ten or fifteen minutes, some quietness prevailed. I saw the aircrafts coming back to Irbil and the wind was blowing to the west where we were. There was a strange odor that filled the air, resembling the flowers odor. I went to Tutma village and saw with my eyes the aircrafts bombarding Balisan, Shaykh Wasanan and the road leading to Khlayfan. I wanted to go to the Pishmarga Command Headquarters because I affiliated to this Force as a doctor treating all the residents and the Pishmarga Personnel. When I arrived to the Command Headquarters, they assured to me that Balisan, Shaykh Wasanan was struck. I returned after that to the Khati Dispensary, it had got already dark, and we stayed until three o'clock am, as I waked up by the noise caused by some people and the sounds of the agricultural tractors were loud. I saw tens of people from the children, women and men; and they were walking towards the dispensary asking help. They had symptoms that I had neither seen nor heard about before. All of them lost the sight and stopped seeing anything, their eyes were swollen and reddish and their skins peeled off. I also remarked big bubbles on the bodies of some of them and several of them were vomiting out or coughing blood. At that time I knew some of them who were from the inhabitants of (Balisan, Shaykh Wasanan).. ..we had nothing we could do to cure such kind of symptoms. At four and the half o'clock; they began the land attack on the villages that we were in. In addition to the screaming of the wounded people, we could hear the tanks advancing on the street. There was an intense bombardment by the tanks and the artillery on us, which caused confusion among people. Some of them surrounded to the army, others ran away to the mountains. I ran to the mountains along with some of the medical staff taking with us some people who were able to walk and the situation was so difficult that we had to drag them because some of them lost their sight. We went to Shaykh Wasanan Villages, which was abandoned, everything in there was dead even animals, birds, plants and tress. I saw a lot of animals which lost the sight while they were grazing; and we saw holes caused by the air strike.. ..The attack was over after two days and the forces retreated after burning and destroying all the area. We returned to the villages and we saw the damage; all the houses were burned down in our village and we saw nobody, but some strayed animals that lost the sight.

    ((The documents relative to the Anfal Operatins))

    The Court has viewed several documents that were shown to them by the Prosecution during the trials sessions. The originals were attached with the Prosecution documents and considered as a part of the prosecution's evidence. The following is a briefed show of these documents related to Anfal case:

    After the Court has reviewed the documents of this prosecution that consist of these documents:

    The letter issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID) No. S3 / Q3/885 on 23 March 1987 addressed to the Presidency of the Republic-the Secretary-the subject is about the use of Special Ammunition which includes:-

    1. A study was made on the places where the Headquarters of the Iranian Agents are situated and the selection of the below mentioned targets, that should be according to the existence of the hostile party, and also the effect of this existence on the internal security in the Northern Area and according to the available facilities of the Special Ammunition:

    A- Headquarters of the Iranian Agents in the Balisan outskirts (Villages of Balisan, Tutama, Khati, Shaykh Wasanan) which are located near the main road of Chuwar Quna-Khalifan

    B- Headquarters of the Iranian Agents in the Villages of (Takya, Balak Jar and Siwsinan) that belong to Qara Dagh Sub District.

    2. The above mentioned targets are of significance for Iranian Agents Headquarters and Personnel of the Iranian enemy. In addition to the effect of this existence on the internal security in the Northern Area, for being far enough from our Sectors' sites (as Special Ammunition targets) which is considered more appropriate than others for the use of this ammunition. Because it is located in low areas, which helps the sedimentation of the smoke of the chemical factor and which could be treated with the available means (air force, tubular ejectors and helicopters by night)

    3. because of the limited quantity of special ammunition that is available at present, it is better to use one of the alternatives below:

    a- First alternative: striking the selected targets during this period, this way we should use two thirds of the available special ammunition (the Sarin factor) and one third of the special ammunition (the Mustard factor). The remaining quantity of these special ammunitions is to be kept for the emergency cases in the operation sectors.

    b- Second alternative: delaying the strike to the mid-April 1987 until enough amount of the special ammunition is available and the productivity gets better.

    4. We agree on the first alternative..

    This document contains the signature of the indicted (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri), the Director of the GMID at that time.

    In addition, the Court has reviewed the document issued by the Presidency of the Republic ((the Secretary)) No. 953/965/ K on 1987 March 29, addressed to the GMID. The subject was the use of the special ammunition ((it was agreed to carry out the strike... provided that the action should be invested.and the aim was not only to hurt the saboteurs. Please take the necessary action with the coordination with concerned Corps and inform us before starting the strike)). This document is signed by the Secretary of the President of the Republic, who was the accused Hamid Yusif Hammadi, at that time, according to statement of accused Sabir Al-Duri. The document also includes a marginal note written by the accused Sabir Al-Duri which is ((Yes, I suggest a coordination with the Chief of Army Staff, as considered the responsible Department)).

    Likewise, the Court reviewed the document issued by the Presidency of the Republic ((the Secretary)) No. 7/ J2/ K on 12 March 1987, addressed to the GMID. The subject was giving information ((the President ordered that your Directorate have to study, together with the specialists, Directing a sudden strike (on the Khomeini Guard Bases that located within the First Branch headquarters of Al-Barzani Group), with the special ammunition; and study the possibility of its implementation using any of the following means (Air Force, Army Aviation, and Artillery). The Secretary of the President of the Republic Hamid Yusif Hammadi, at that time, signed this document.

    The Court has similarly reviewed the document issued by the GMID No. M1/ Sh3/Q2/ 6414 on 15 March 1987, addressed to the Presidency of the Republic-the Secretary and the subject is the use of special ammunition. It includes-

    1. below are the options available for us, in order to use the special ammunition against the Khomeini Guard Bases in the party headquarters, the first branch of Al-Barzani Group:-

    a- The weather condition is not supporting the use of (Sarin) factor at this time, because the concerned targets are covered with snow, which leads to dissolution of the factor and its transformation to a non-poisoning material. This also applies on the (Tabun) factor.

    b- We have enough amounts of the (Mustard) factor, yet the expected effects are considerably weak, except in case we receive a concentrated dose, in addition to its slow evaporation in the snowing areas.

    c- It is possible to use the air force, the piped ejectors and the helicopters by night for this goal.

    2. we suggest the following:

    a- the strike on the Khomeini Guard Bases in Al-Barzani Groups Headquarters is to be delayed until the next month of June. Also, because the targets are situated in the Iraqi-Turkish borderline area, it is better to select the targets that are located out of the anticipated effect range on the Turkish border-sectors or Turkish villages.

    b- Start on making plans to carry out similar limited operations, against Iran agents' headquarters. This document is signed by the accused (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri). Moreover, the Court has reviewed the document issued by the Presidency of the Republic-the Secretary- in No. 7/ J3/ 177 on 19 March 1987, addressed to the GMID with the subject of "the use of the special ammunition" and which contains " in reference to the clause (2-A-B) of your letter No. M1/Sh3/Q2/6414 on 18 March 1987. It was agreed on the two suggestions imported in this letter". The Secretary of the President of the Republic, at that time Hamid Yusif Hammadi, signed this document.

    The Court has reviewed the document issued by the GMID No. 737 dated 31 March 1987, addressed to the Army Chief of Staff, including the subject of the use of the special ammunition and which contains:-

    1. The President has ordered that your Directorate have to study, together with the specialists, directing a sudden strike (on the Khomeini Guard Bases in the Party headquarters, the first branch of Al-Barzani Group), using the special ammunition; and to study the possibility of its implementation using any of the following mean (Air Force, Army Aviation, and Artillery).

    2. the President's recommendation was studied with specialists and we suggested the following:-

    a- The strike on the Khomeini Guard Bases in Al-Barzani Groups Headquarters is to be delayed until the next month of June. Also, because the targets are situated in the Iraqi-Turkish borderline area, it is better to select the targets that are located away from the anticipated effect on the Turkish border sectors or Turkish villages.

    b- Making plans to carry out similar limited operations, against Iranian agents

    3. It was agreed on the two (2) above-mentioned suggestions. Our Directorate has thereby studied locations of the Iran Agents' Headquarters and the elicited the below mentioned targets. This elicitation is according to the size of the hostile forces there, effect of their existence on the internal security in the Northern Area, suitability to the available facilities of the special ammunitions and its launching means:-

    a- Iran Agents' Headquarters in Balisan Outskirts Area, the villages of (Balisan, Khati, Shaykh Wasan), which are located on the main road near Chuwar Qurna-Khalifan.

    b- Iran Agents' Headquarters in the Outskirts of the villages of (Takya - Balak Jar- Siwsinan), which belong to Qara Dagh Sub District.

    4. The aforementioned targets in paragraphs (a, b) of the above-mentioned clause (3), are among the significant headquarters for Iran's Agents and the Iranian enemy Personnel. They are (as Special Ammunition targets) far enough from troops' sites and considered appropriate more than others targets, for using this ammunition. This is because it is located in low areas, which helps the sedimentation of the chemical factor's smoke. In addition, theses targets could be treated with the available means (air force, piped ejectors and the helicopters by night)

    5. our Directorate recommended a strike against the above-mentioned targets in (3) during this period, using two thirds of the available special ammunition (the Sarin factor) in addition to one third of the special ammunition (the Mustard factor); and keeping the rest of special ammunition for the emergency cases in the operation sectors.

    6. The Presidency of Republic Letter-the Secretary, which was marked Top Secret, Confidential and Urgent, numbered 953-962/K on 29 March 1987; it contains the following:- ((it was agreed to carry out the strike... provided that the action should be invested.and the aim was not only to hurt the saboteurs. Please take the necessary action with the coordination with concerned Corps and inform us before starting the strike)). Kindly, Acknowledge and issue your order to implement what was imported in the letter from the Presidency of the Republic-the Secretary. This document includes the accused Sabir Al-Duri's signature, of which he had admitted to the Court.

    The Court has reviewed the Army Chief of Staff Letter No. 3656 on 05 April 1987, addressed to the 1st and 5th Corps' Commands. The subject is about the use of special ammunition, which includes-

    1. It was decided to fight saboteurs, Iran's Agents and Khomeini Guard in your Sectors. And by using the special ammunition, as follows:-

    a- Iran's Agents Headquarters in the outskirts of Balisan (the villages of Balisan - Tutma -Khati - Shaykh Wasanan), which are located on the main road of Chuwarta-Khalifan (T.C: the correction is Chuwar Qurna which was mentioned in the rest of the file and it is the real town close to Khalifan, But Chuwarta is far and close to Al-Sulaymaniyyah)

    b- Iran's Agents Headquarters in the outskirts of the villages of (Takya - Balak Jjar-Siwsinan) that belong to the (Qara Dagh) Sub District

    2. in reference to the Conference held in our Presidency on 05 April 1987, we ordered the following:-

    a- The 1st Corps prepares the plan in what concerns the clause (b) of the Paragraph (1) above, and hand it over to us to be discussed during our visit to your Headquarters on Thursday 09 April 1987.

    b- Both of your Commands are to prepare the necessary joint plan for executing what was imported in the clause (a) of the Paragraph (1) mentioned above. In addition, send that plan in two copies to our Presidency, in custody of two commissioners, in order for us to approve it. This document is signed by the Staff General (Sa'd-al-Din 'Aziz Mustafa), who was the Army Chief of Staff Commander. The Court has also reviewed the document issued by the GMID/ First Deputy/ Third Section; which addressed to the Intelligence Deputy Director, who is responsible of the Iranian and Northern Affairs at that time, named (Wafiq 'Ajil Al-Samarra'i). The subject of the document, as notification, is about using the special ammunition. This document included the indication to issue that " According to the suggestion provided by the General Military Intelligence Directorate's (GMID); the Republican Presidency-Secretary approved on aiming a strike using the special ammunition, which is directed to the Iranian Agents headquarters, as they call it at that time. This is located in Takya basin- Balak Jar, which related to Qara Dagh Sub District and (Balisan) Outskirts at the main Road of Chuwar Qurna-Khlifan. This document signed by (Walid Nayif Shibib) the Director of the 3rd Section of the (GMID). In addition, accused Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri recognized signature of (Walid Nayif Shibib).

    Also the court reviewed the document that issued by the Chief of Army Staff, (Chief of Army Staff Office), number 5890 dated 11 June 1987, which addressed to the 5th Corps Command. The letter subject is about Air Strike, and includes the following: ( the (GMID) informed the Army Chief of Staff, reporting that at the end of 05 July 1987, an air strike (with the special ammunition) was directed to the 1st Branch Headquarter of Al-Barzani Group in (Ziwa) Area. (Ziwa) Area is located at the northeast of Al-'Imadiyyah district of Duhuk Governorate and it is close to the Northern Sector Headquarter (Badinan Sector Headquarter) of the Communist Party Group. This document signed by Staff Major General (Tariq Husayn Majid) the Senior Secretary of the Army Chief of Staff.

    And also the court reviewed the (GMID) letter No. 12703 dated 10 July 1987, addressed to the Command of the Northern Organization Office. The letter subject is about air strike and importing the following: At the dusk of 05 July 1987, an air strike with the special ammunition was directed to the 1st Branch Headquarter of Al-Barzani Group in (Ziwa) Area which located at the Northeast of Al-'Imadiyyah District-Duhuk Governorate And close to the Northern Sector Headquarter (Badinan Sector Headquarter) of the Communist Party Group. The document signed by the accused Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri and he admitted that at the court.

    And the court reviewed the Ministry of Defense Letter No. 1374 dated 01 May 1987, addressed to the Army Chief of Staff, which included the following issue" Minister of Defense reviewed the issues that were imported in the (GMID) letter No. 8357 on 24 April 1987. He instructed the following: - (Strike all of the Agents' headquarters with the Air Force's conventional, special weapons and all the weapons within the range). Staff Major General (Mahmud Shukr Shahin), who is Depute of the General Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, signed this document).

    And also the court reviewed the document issued by the Army Chief of Staff, numbered 15787 dated 12 May 1987, addressed to the (GMID). The letter includes the request of the Army Chief of Staff from the (GMID) to provide the Air Force Command and the Air Defense with locations and headquarters of the Agents. This is in order to destroy them. In addition, the court looked into the (GMID) reply letter No. 9819 dated 03 May 1987, which addressed to the Army Chief of Staff. The letter includes the following: Maps for Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Qal'at Diza Qara Dagh- Kuysinjaq 1/100000 In reference to your secret and confidential letter 15787 on 02 May 1987:1- We provided the Air Forces Command and the Air Defense with the locations and headquarters of the Iranian Agents to strike it with conventional ammunition which are:

    A- Hawara Barza (1283)
    B- Dula Bi (1278)
    C- Yakhiyan (1577)
    D- Guma Zal (1875)
    E- Sharistin (0882)
    F- Chalawa (1971)
    G- Sargalu (1569)
    H- Bargalu (SATTS G M)
    I- Yagh (2264)
    J- Qizlar (2657)
    K- Takya (4095)
    L- Balak Jar (4294)
    M- Siwsinan (4596)
    N- Warta (7838)
    O- Warta resort (7736)
    P- Qirnaqa (0134)
    Q- Pisht Ashan (0233)

    2- We suggest ordering the specialist committee to study the subject of striking the Iranian Agents' Headquarters with the special ammunition, kindly look into and inform us your orders.....With appreciation.

    The document signed by the Accused Military Intelligence Director (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri). The accused (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri) admitted about that document, when it was shown to him.

    And the court looked into the document issued by the Air Operations Directorate No. (: / Q X)/707 dated 12 May 1987, addressed to the (GMID) concerning striking the Iranian Agents' Headquarters as the following:-

    In reference to your secret and confidential letter M/S3/Q2/10319 dated 10 May 1987; the following are the names and grid coordinates of the Iranian Agents' Headquarters and locations which were confirmed by your representative Staff Lieutenant Colonel Walid...and were stroked by missiles and included is the kind of the ammunition used to each target,... kindly look into:-

    1- The targets were struck with the conventional ammunition.

    1- Hawara Barza 1283 04 May 1987
    2- Yakhiyan 1577 04 May 1987
    3- Yagh Samar 2264 04 May 1987
    4- Qizlar 2657 04 May 1987
    5- Dula Bi 1278 08 May 1987
    6- Guma Zal 1875 08 May 1987
    7- Sharistin 1882 08 May 1987
    8- Chalawa 1971 08 May 1987
    9- Sargalu 1569 08 May 1987
    10- Bargalu (SATTS M4) 08 May 1987

    2- The targets were treated with the special ammunition:-

    1- 635665 07 May 1997
    2- 5082 07 May 1997
    3- 5975 07 May 1997
    4- 665615 07 May 1997
    5- 665575 07 May 1987
    6- 865605 07 May 1987

    Providing that the document signed by the previous Staff Air Vice Marshall (Hasan Khidir Al-Hajj Ahmad) the Air Force Intelligence Director.

    And the court looked into the document issued by the (GMID) No. 19330 on 08 September 1987, addressed to the Northern Organization Office Command containing:-

    1- At 16,00 o'clock on 03 September 1987 a concentrated artillery strike (with special ammunition) was directed to three of the Iranian Agents' group Headquarters, which located at the East of the main road Dukan-Pira Magrun. This includes that headquarter of the group, in which criminal Jalal Al-Talabani and some of his group leaders are existing. Their casualties were two killed and twelve wounded Iranian Agents in additional to a number of killed and wounded saboteurs and villagers next to the headquarters.

    2- Dimension of the air strikes (with the special ammunition) which were directed to some of the Iranian Agents Group Headquarters, on April 1987……, and this document signed by the accused Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri and he admitted that.

    Also the court looked into the document issued by the 3rd Section of the 1st Directorate of the (GMID), addressed to the (GMID) Deputy Director. The letter subject is (Striking Headquarters).

    And this document consists of a report that was presented by the Third Section Director to the (GMID) Deputy Director. Its second paragraph containing:- the Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces -in-Chief and the Minister of Defense ordered the following about the mentioned subject:-

    The Ministry Diwan letter, at the paper (2), to be studied with the Military Intelligence for aiming a strike with the special ammunition to the villages where the saboteurs exist, at the end of the day if possible, and informing me the details before carrying out, and this document signed by the 3rd Section Director, and after it was shown to the accused Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri, he admitted that the signature for the Called Walid Nayif Shibib.

    Also the court looked into the telegram issued by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence Director to the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone containing your secret and confidential letter No. 11163 on 24 June 1987, the information mentioned in the 1st paragraph/ supported/ wherein some of the journalists who witnessed the bombarding of the areas with the chemical weapons, went to Sargalu, and there is possibility to distribute them on the areas were bombarded to show it to the international public opinion (the 2nd paragraph) there is no available information about the mentioned person because he is not known to our sources.

    Also the court looked into the Chief of Army Staff letter No. 322/127 on 08 March 1988, addressed to the Ministry of Defense Diwan and containing:-

    1- The orders of the Deputy of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defense were carried out by doing two strikes with the special ammunition to support Anfal Operation.

    2- The 1st Corps didn't find what can help to use another time for the currently bad weather conditions in the area, kindly look into, and this document signed by the Staff Major General (Nabil 'Abd-al-Qadir Husayn) on behalf of the Senior Secretary of the Chief of Army Staff.

    Also the court looked into the document issued by the Secretariat Office of the Armed Forces General Command No. 177 on 20 March 1988, addressed to the Deputy of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Army Staff and its subject is instructions and containing:

    On Saturday 19 March 1988, the president, the Armed Forced Commander-in-Chief (may God protect him) ordered during the Armed Forces General Command meeting the following:

    1- Must thinking from now about the required arrangements in (Anfal Operation) Sector at the beginning of the summer to prevent the saboteurs' existence there, and may be we will need more additional or alternate troops.

    2- At Darbandi Khan Sector and Anfal operation Sector, we must keep striking the enemy and the saboteurs with, Artillery and Air Force, and not giving them any chance for stability or recovery. And its better to strike the special ammunitions with artillery at night, suddenly or impregnating the ordinary artillery strikes with special ammunition strikes.

    3- Starting from tomorrow, every thing will be established after going the General Command Members to the 1st Corps Command and after reviewing the required plans.

    4- It's important to extract the lessons and warnings from this battle to prevent the dangerous' occurrence again.

    5- When the weather become bad, use the artillery in different ranges at the place which was specified to the Air Force, in order to not giving the enemy a chance for breathing , and this document singed by the Staff Lieutenant General ('Ala'-al-Din Kazim Hammad) the General Secretary of the General Command of the Armed forces at that time.

    And the court looked into the document issued by the Chief of Army Staff No. 154 on 22 May 1988, addressed to Ministry of Defense Diwan and its subject is Anfal Operation/5 and containing:-

    1- Article (1) of your above mentioned letter:-

    A- It was studied what came at the (GMID) secret and Confidential and urgent letter No. 9282 on 08 May 1988, and the required procedures was taken according to our secret and confidential letter No. 402 on 11 May 1988.

    B- One 15 May 1988, strikes with special ammunition were carried out at the sabotage groups' headquarters in the 5th Corps Sector, which mentioned at the letter of the above mentioned directorate.

    2- Article (2) of your above mentioned letter:-

    The operations of chasing and destroying the sabotage's groups at the 1st and 5th Corps Sectors is continuous according to the plan designed for this purpose (Anfal Operations) and Anfal Operation/5 at the 5th Corps Sector will be carried out in next stage. And this document signed by the Staff Major General (Nabil 'Abd-al-Qadir Husayn) and he signed it on behalf of the Senior Secretary of the Chief of Army Staff.

    And the court looked into the document released by the (GMID) No. 11325 on 10 Jun 1988, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff and its subject is Anfal Operation and containing at the 5th paragraph the following:

    The sabotage groups' losses which we counted until 08 June 1988 were as the following, and it’s the minimum level of losses:-

    A- 58 killed and 72 wounded saboteurs and their families and villagers due to the special strike.

    B- (42) Killed and a number of the wounded saboteurs due to the activities of our troops.

    Containing also the (GMID) suggestion to agree and order the branches with an operation to strike and destroy the headquarters and bases of the agents in Balisan Outskirts, and Al- Simaqulyat Area supporting the 5th Corps situation with suitable volume of the troops and artillery effort according to the situation. And this document signed by the (GMID) director at that time, the accused (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri) and he admitted that when it was shown to him in the court.

    And the court looked into the telegram sent from the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone to the 3rd Section of the (GMID), telegram No. 13613 on 06 August 1988 and containing: we known from our source (Sami) the following: on 06 August 1988 Balisan was bombed with the special ammunition......., and this document signed by the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone Director at that time, the accused Farhan Mutlak.

    And the court looked into the document issued by the Chief of Army Staff - (the Chief of Army Staff Office) No. 122 on 21 August 1988, addressed to the 1st and the 5th Corps Commanders and its subject is instructions and concerning the meeting with you which held in the 1st Corps Headquarter in (Kirkuk) on 20 August 1988 and the presence of the Deputy of the Chief of Army Staff, the Military Movements and Army Aviation Directors to discuss the plans of Anfal Operations, and ordered the following:

    1- Defining the concentrations of the population in the 5th Corps Sector and treating it with the intensive special strikes 48 hours prior to carrying out the operations, to create panic and prevent them to cooperate with the saboteurs and following their movements in the area, and be strongly careful of striking the housing villages at the Iraqi-Turkish borders, and this document signed by the Chief of Army Staff at that time, Staff Lieutenant General (Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji).

    And the court looked into the document issued by the Chief of Army Staff No. 349 on 27 April 1988, addressed to the 1st Corps Commander (Staff Major General Sultan Hashim Ahmad).

    And the 5th Corps Commander, Staff Major General (Ayad Khalil) and its subject is instructions and concerning the conference held in (Kirkuk) on 27 April 1988.

    2 E: Carrying out the 4th Anfal Operation in Shuwan-Chami Rizan Outskirts according to the suggested plan which was discussed at the Planning Directorate and the adjustments were made on the plan.....

    F: Using the special ammunition at the enemy concentrations whenever its possible whether with the Air force or with the Artillery / MRL (multiple rocket launcher -adjective) / before the enemy starting its operations against our troops, and also it can be striking the saboteurs headquarters with the special ammunition, and this document signed by Staff Lieutenant General (Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji) the Chief of Army Staff at that time.

    Also the court looked into the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone letter No. 384 on 02 November 1987, addressed to the 3rd Section of the (GMID) and its subject is eliminating villages, attached (1) a special list of the villages were eliminated in the range of our system from 15 October 1987 to 31 October 1987, which are nine villages. And this document signed by the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone Director, the accused Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi.

    Also the court looked into a document consisting of a telegram issued by the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone to the 3rd Section of the (GMID) No. 4122 on 01 March 1988 and containing at one of its paragraphs ((100-120) between killed and wounded of the saboteurs and the civilians living in the area, due to striking the Main Iranian Agents Headquarters with our plans with the special ammunition) and this telegram signed by Staff Colonel, the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone Director at that time, the accused (Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi).

    The court had reviewed the telegram that was issued by the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone sent to the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID)/ Third Branch, reference number 13613 on 1988 August 06, in which it contains in one of its parts dated 1988 July 28 that Balisan area was bombarded with the special munitions. Because of this, some were killed and (32) saboteurs were wounded. This telegram was signed by the Director of the Eastern Intelligence at that time which was Staff Colonel, Convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi.

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the command of the Northern Organization Office/Secretary Office number (5083) on 1987 July 22 and addressed to the First Corps Command. Its subject was regarding an execution of criminals and included your secret and personal letter (352) on 1987 July 08. Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, the head of the Northern Organization Office, gave a comment on the above-mentioned letter as follows

    (We do not have any objection on cutting the heads of the traitors, but it was better if they were sent to the security for further investigation; as more information they have might be useful before the execution), and this document is signed by the convict (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani)

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the Diwan (Bureau) of the Ministry of Defense, number 8574, dated 1988 April 26, and addressed to the Chief of Army Staff with a subject of (Procedures) mentioning that

    (The deputy of the General Commander of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense had reviewed the secret, personal and immediate letter of the General Military Intelligence Directorate dated 1985 April 23, and ordered the following:

    1- To make a greater psychological affect than the expected there is no objection to carry on an attack with the special ammunition, if there was a target that deserves the punishment.

    2- Continuing the operations is required, and I believe this point will be discussed today with comrade, ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid).

    This letter is signed by the Staff Vice Admiral ('Abd Muhammad 'Abdallah), the secretary of the Ministry of Defense.

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the Commander of the Air Operations Directorate addressed to the Diwan of the Ministry of Defense that includes the Iranian agent locations and stating:

    (Arial strikes were carried out by the usage of conventional weapons using 20 aircrafts and another 44 aircrafts using the special munitions against these locations mentioned in the letter of the General Military Intelligence Directorate) Knowing that the letter is referenced with the number 690, dated 1987 May 09, and signed by (Hamid Sha'ban).

    The court had reviewed the letter issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate with number 6414 dated 1987 March 18, and addressed to the Presidency of the Republic- The Secretary, regarding the usage of special ammunitions which also contains the following:

    1- The following are the available capabilities for using the special munitions against Khomeini Guard bases that are existed in the first branch of the saboteurs' headquarters for Al-Barzani Group:

    • The weather is not helping to use the current Sarin element since the snow is covering the targets, which lead the element to dissolve, and converting it into a non-toxic substance. This process is also applied for the Tabun factor.

    • We have a good amount of the Mustard element even though its expected effects is considered as a (Miracle) unless using a concentrated dosage of it, in addition that it evaporates slowly in snowy areas.

    C. Air force, multiple rocket launchers, as well as helicopters, can be used at night for such purpose.

    2- We suggest the following:

    A- The date of attack against Khomeini Guards bases existed within Al-Barzani group locations is to be postponed until next June. As the targets are located on the Iraqi-Turkish borderline, it will be better to choose targets that might not have an effect on the Turkish border's troops or the Turkish villages.

    B- Start planning to execute similar operations against the Iranian agent locations, please be acknowledged, and inform us with your advice, with appreciation. Knowing that this document is signed by the Military Intelligence Director, (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn Al-Duri)

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the Diwan of the Ministry of Defense with number 1374 dated 1987 May 01, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff for Operations, which states:

    The Deputy of the General Commander of the Armed Forces had acknowledged the letter's content of the General Military Intelligence Directorate and ordered the following: (All the locations of the agents must be attacked by conventional and special air force weapons and by the usage of all the weapons within the range). This document is signed by Staff Major General (Mahmud Shukr Shahin) Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of Defense.

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the Office of the Secretariat of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces with number 2057 dated 1988 April 05, addressed to the Presidential Diwan with a subject of (Honoring) stating:

    The President, the General Commander of the Armed Forces ordered to grant the two officers mentioned below Medals of Bravery for their great efforts in leading the first and the second Anfal operations in the First Corps Operation Sector

    1. Infantry Staff Major General Sultan Hashim Ahmad - the leader of the First Anfal Operation

    2- Armored Staff Major General, Ayad Ahmad Zaki - the leader of Second Anfal Operation This document is signed by Staff Major General, ('Ala'-al-Din Kazim Hamad Al-Janabi), General Secretary of the Armed Forces General Command.

    The court had reviewed the document issued by the Chief of Army Staff, number 1182 dated 1988 August 28, addressed to the command of the first and the fifth corps with a subject of (Directions) stating:

    The Deputy of General Commander of the Armed Forces (The Minister of Defense) released these instructions during discussing Anfal operations that is carried out in your sectors as follows:

    1- Eradicating all villages and houses within the one village, as it was noticed that a house or more had been left in the previous eradicated village, the air force will be assigned to control that process.

    2- Controlling the rations given to the National Defense Regiments and to make sure that they are not given but replaced with allowances, this document is signed by Staff Lieutenant General (Nizar 'Abd-Al-Karim Faysal Al-Khazraji), the Chief of Army Staff. It was mentioned at the end of this document that a copy must be sent to the Operation Department by mentioning "The General Commander of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defense had ordered updating the maps of all scales with the latest topographic information)

    The court also had reviewed the document issued by the disbanded Revolutionary Command Council number 674, dated 1986 August 19, which states "According to clause (A) of the article (Forty two) from the law, the Revolutionary Command Council had decided on 1986 August 19 the follows:

    1- Assignment of (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif), the advisor of the Public Organization Affairs Office as a Secretary of the Northern Affairs Committee

    2- The involved authorities will be responsible in applying this decision.

    This document was signed by the convict (Saddam Hussein); Chief of the Revolutionary Command Council at that time.

    The court also had reviewed the document issued by the disbanded Revolutionary Command Council, which is represented by the issuance of decision number 160 dated 1987 March 29, which contains:

    Decision:

    In reference to clause (A) of the article number (42) and clause (A) of the article number (43) from the constitution, and to implement what was decided in the joint meetings for the State Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party and the Revolutionary Command Council that was held on 1978 March 29, decided the following:

    First: 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, the state command member of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party will represent the state command for the Ba'th Party and the Revolutionary Command Council to implement their policies in the Northern Area including the Autonomous Kurdistan area to maintain security, discipline and stability and to implement the Self-Ruling law in the area.

    Second: To achieve this decision's goals; the comrade, State Command Member, will have the decision making authority and validity on all the state security, civil and military systems, especially the authorities related to the National Security Council and Northern Affairs Committee.

    Third: The below-listed entities are affiliated to the comrade, State Command Member in all the northern area, it should comply with the decisions and instructions issued by him and that must be implemented based on this decision:

    1- The Executive Board for Kurdistan Autonomous Area

    2- The governors and the heads of the administrative units that are related to the Ministry of Autonomous Ruling.

    3- The Intelligence Services, Internal Security Forces, and the Military Intelligence

    4- The Command of the People's Army

    Fourth: The military commands in the area are to comply with the orders of the State Command Member in all what is relating with (First) of this decision.

    Fifth: This decision should be implemented until further notice and suspending the appliance of legal laws that is in contradiction with the orders of this decision.

    This document is signed by convict (Saddam Hussein) then President of the disbanded Revolutionary Council

    Also, the court had reviewed the document issued by the Revolutionary Command Council which it is a decision issued by the Revolutionary Command Council numbered 244 dated 1987 April 20, which contains:

    Decision:

    According to clause (A), article number (42) of the constitution, the Revolutionary Command Council decided the below on 1987 April 20:

    1- 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid will have the authority to do whatever relates to the duties of the Northern Affairs Committee for the purpose of implementing the verdicts of the decision issued by the Revolutionary Command Council numbered 160 on 1987 March 29.

    2- Performing pursuant to this decision since the date of issuance

    This document is signed by the convict (Saddam Hussein), Chief of the (Disbanded) Revolutionary Command Council at that time.

    Additionally, the court had reviewed the document number 4151 on 1987 June 15, issued by the Revolutionary Command Council (Northern Affairs Committee), and addressed to the Chief of Army Staff with a subject of (Relocation) that includes: (An approval has been acquired upon the suggestion in your abovementioned letter and we confirm on relocating all the saboteurs' families to them, according to the rules applied before.)

    This document is signed by convict Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani, who occupied the post of Secretary of the Northern Affairs Committee

    Moreover, the court had reviewed the telegram issued by the Northern Organization Office Command, addressed to the First Corps Command, Second Corps Command, Fifth Corps Command, Chief of Army Staff and the General Military Intelligence Directorate No 4008, that includes:

    ((In regards to expiration of the official proclaimed period for gathering the security-prohibited villages; which will be ended on 1987 June 21, we decided to work starting from 1987 June 21 with the following:

    1. All the security-prohibited villages, which are not destroyed yet, are considered as whereabouts for saboteurs, agents of Iran, members of the Kurdish Democratic Party, and the traitors alike them from Iraq.

    2. The existence of any human or animal is completely prohibited, and this area is considered as a prohibited operation area, where conducting firing at, is permitted and not restricted to any instructions unless these instructions came from our headquarters.

    3. Traveling from and to these areas, farming or agricultural, industrial, or raising livestock investments, are completely prohibited, and it is the duty of the concerned authorities to follow-up on these matters seriously and within each of their specialty.

    4. The corps's commands are to carry out special strikes from time to time; during night and day, using artillery, helicopters, and airplanes, in order to kill the largest number of individuals possibly existed in these prohibited areas.

    5. All individuals arrested for being found in the villages of the prohibited area should be detained and interrogated by the security authorities, and a death sentence should be carried out against individuals aged between the years 15 and 70 after taking useful information from them, and inform us.

    6. The security authorities should interrogate with whoever surrenders himself to the governmental or Ba'th Party authorities for a maximum period of three days, and if the interrogation will take 10 days, we should be notified in that case, and if the interrogation will take more than this period, they should take our approval either by telephone or telegram, and through comrade (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani)

    Additionally, the court had reviewed the document numbered 79223 dated 1987 December 05, issued by the General Security Directorate including: According to the order of the respectful Secretary of the North Organization Office:-

    A- An execution order had been carried out against the below mentioned criminals, who participated in the riot incidents of Shaqlawa District on 22 May 1987 and a roster is prepared consisting of 29 names that starts with the name 1- Majid Hasan Wasu and ends with the serial number (29) Basim 'Abdallah Mustafa Wasu.

    B- The below mentioned individuals were released for not participating in the riot incidents and they are (11) persons, and the roster starts with the name Fakhriyyah Mustafa and ends with the name Basim Hamid Rashid Silaywah.

    Additionally, the court had reviewed document numbered 9914 issued by Al-Baldah Security Directorate on 1988 July 23 to all deputy directorates including (The respectful, Comrade, Secretary of the Northern Organization Office on 1988 July 18 ordered to gather crops belonging to the villages' inhabitants relocated by us, who cultivated it before their relocation.

    Additionally, the court had reviewed the telegram of number 13069 dated 1988 August 31, issued by Irbil Security Directorate to Divisions Security Directorates:

    1- There are members from Al-Shabak (TC: Name of a tribe) recruited in the civil defense, who changed their nationalism from Arab to Kurdish and resided in Ninawa governorate.

    2- Comrade, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, head of the Northern Organization Office ordered to demolish all the houses and relocate them in residence compounds without any compensation at all.

    This document is signed by the Deputy Director of Irbil Security.

    Furthermore, the court reviewed the telegram number 14636 issued on 1987 November 01 issued by Irbil Security Directorate to Autonomous Ruling Security including:

    1- Our sources and collaborators affiliated to this department had been directed to observe the cultivation and agriculture in the prohibited areas, whereas we did not notice this kind of situation.

    2- There are still fields of crops scattered around the villages in Irbil plains and the military sector had been notified about it, where it is responsible to eradicate it successively along with the villages. This document is signed by Director of Irbil Security.

    Also, the court had reviewed the letter number 19541 dated 1987 December 23, issued by Irbil Security Directorate addresses to all Divisions Security Directorates (According to directions of the Northern Organization Office that ordered to prohibit cultivation and agriculture of winter crops in the security-restricted areas Please direct your sources and collaborators to observe that, and in case of discovering; officially inform the security committees in your areas.

    And this document is signed by the Director of Irbil Security.

    Additionally, the court had reviewed the document number 4041 dated 1987 February 21, issued by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Directorate and addressed to the Head of the Hostile Activities Counter Committee including:

    1- Our special detachments and official bodies are arresting some people in the outskirts of the cities, sub districts and some other unidentified areas for being security-restricted. Who carry foodstuff or fuel, and some of them after investigation confessed that their intention was to reach some of the security-restricted areas and villages in order to move these materials and sell it or deliver them to the inhabitants of these security-restricted areas and villages. This document is signed by the Director of Irbil Security.

    Furthermore, the court had reviewed the telegram numbered 457 dated 16 March 1988, issued from the Hostile Activities Counter Committee to the First Corps / Internal Security Intelligence following the telegram and letters of the North Organization Office

    (Detention of the saboteurs' families, who resorted to our troops in special protected camps prepared for this purpose and under the supervision of intelligence agents from the first and fifth corps. This telegram is signed by (Ja'far 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Barzanji), Head of the Hostile Activities Counter Committee, in Sulaymaniyyah.

    Additionally, the court had reviewed the telegram number 1334, issued by the (Al-Tuz) Intelligence Center to the Eastern Intelligence System about eradicating (17) villages.

    Moreover, the court had reviewed letter numbered (1555) issued by the Eastern Intelligence System, which includes:

    1- Our center in (Al-Tuz) notified us that two families had been arrested from the one's who had escaped to Al-Tuz District from the security-restricted areas, during the period of general amnesty for Kurds.

    2- The two families were relocated from our center in (Al-Tuz) to Al-Tuz Security Deputy Directorate. This document is signed by Director of the Eastern Intelligence Directorate; Staff Colonel, Convict (Farhan Mutak Al-Juburi)

    Additionally, the court had reviewed telegram numbered 1181 dated 1987 May 10, issued by the Internal Security Section of the First Corps including a confirmation on expediting the relocation operation and demolishing of villages.

    In addition, the court had reviewed the letter numbered (1074) on 1987 July 04, issued by (Rawanduz) Division Command about circulating and transferring directions of the disbanded Ba'th Party to the party sections and divisions, which confirms the importance of returning the families fled from the residency compounds. And in case they did not return; necessary actions will be taken and they will be treated as traitorous and saboteurs. This letter holds signature of the Division's Secretary ('Abd-al-Wahid Husayn).

    Also, the court had reviewed letter number 1346 dated 1987 July 01, issued by the Eastern Intelligence System addressed to the Third Section of the Military Intelligence Directorate, which covered the subject of demolishing villages, it enclosing three rosters depicting (38) villages within their system's sector that had been demolished during the period from 1987 June 16 to 30. This letter is signed by (Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas)

    Furthermore, the court had reviewed document No 3170 dated 1988 Oct 28, issued by the Hostile Activities Counter Committee in Shaqlawa addressed to (Shaqlawa) district-administration, Shaqlawa Division, Shaqlawa Police Directorate and Shaqlawa Security Directorate. That is concerned with relocating villages which includes: An approval is acquired to eradicate the following villages of (Shaqlawa -Khalifan - Rawanduz - Qal'at Ziza) sectors and to locate its inhabitants in compounds existing in those areas because it became as a safe refuge for saboteurs for gathering information and getting rations from there that facilitates their sabotage acts. This document is signed by the Director of (Shaqlawa) Security

    Moreover, the court had reviewed the document numbered 363 dated 1987 June 10, issued by (Darbandi Khan) Intelligence Center and addressed to the Eastern Zone Intelligence Directorate, attaching names rosters of 18 demolished villages, with their coordinates, administrative boundaries and date of demolition. This rosters starts with the village (Chamchamal) belonging to (Zarayan) Sub District, date of demolishing 1987 May 25 and ends with the village (Yakhshi Haji Dara) belonging to (Zarayan) Sub District, date of demolishing 1987 Jun 05. This document is signed by the Deputy Commander of (Darbandi Khan) Intelligence Center.

    Besides, the court had reviewed the document numbered 1097 dated 1987 June 09, issued by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence Center and addressed to the Eastern Zone Intelligence System (Section 3), attaching a roster depicting names of the demolished and relocated villages within the Al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence Center's sector. This attached roster starts with the sequence number 1- (Nawjul) village and ends with sequence 38 - (Al-Nahrawan) village. This document is signed by the Commander of (Al-Sulaymaniyyah) Intelligence Center.

    Additionally, the court had viewed letter number 1487 dated 1987 July 17, issued by the Eastern Zone Intelligence System and addressed to the Third Section of the General Intelligence Military Directorate about demolishing villages that included: A special roster related to the 5 villages within our system's sector that had been demolished during the period 1987 July 01-15. This document is signed by the Staff Brigadier General, (Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas Al-Juburi), who was the Director of the Eastern Zone Intelligence System, during that period.

    Also, the court had reviewed the letter numbered 9922 dated 1987 June 04, issued by the Eastern Zone Intelligence System and addressed to the Third Section of the General Military Intelligence Directorate that includes destroying villages and relocating its inhabitants, there is an indication that the demolishment was done by the tanks. This document is signed by Staff Brigadier General Director of the Intelligence System of Eastern Area.

    The court had reviewed the letter issued by the Intelligence System of Southern Area of number 1598 dated 1987 July 30 to the GMID (Section 3) and addressed (Demolishing of villages) that included: (1) A list of 14 villages that had been demolished within our sector for the period 1987 July 15-30. This document was at that time signed by Staff Brigadier General Director of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Area (Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas Al-Juburi).

    The court also had reviewed the letter of Salah Al-Din Section Command of number 2116 dated 1987 July 31 sent to the commands of all divisions and offices that includes:

    The party system should increase the carefulness level at this period of time and to be alert and ready to hit back any sabotage incidents hardly with no mercy, to comply with the released orders of crushing the traitors and the agents of Khumayni and Zionism, and to destroy the saboteurs' houses with confiscating all their liquid and fixed assets. This document is signed by the Secretary of Salah Al-Din Section Command ('Ashur Shihab Ahmad) of the disbanded Ba'th Party at that time.

    Furthermore, the court had reviewed the telegram issued by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Directorate to the Autonomy Security Directorate, the Intelligence, the Governor (Head of the Security Committee), and to the Al-Sulaymaniyyah Branch Command of the Ba'th Party No 25484 dated 1981 September 08 that includes: Searching or burning all the villages by the army and destroying all the houses that were newly built

    Additionally the court had reviewed the telegram issued by (Dahuk) Security and addressed to the Autonomy Security numbered. 13075 dated 1987 September 15 that includes: According to the directions issued by the Command of the Northern Organization Office regarding deportation and detention of saboteurs', escapees' and deserters' families. We are listing below the daily status as on 1987 September 15 of the deported families who were detained within our governorate after taking pictures of them and taking away all the legal documents that prove their Iraqi nationality. The total number of deported families as shown in the lists attached to the telegram is (67) one of (Sarsang) sub district in (Al-'Imadiyyah) district residents.

    The court had reviewed too the telegram issued by Dahuk Security to the Autonomy Security Directorate of number 13094 dated 1987 September 16 that includes: Following up to our letter number 13075 dated 1987 September 15. We list below the daily status of 1987 September 16 for the families who were deported and detained within our district after taking pictures of them and taking away all legal documents that prove their Iraqi nationality. The telegram included, first: A list of the deported and the detained individuals, residents of (Sumil) district and they are four families, Second: A list of the deported individuals, residents of Al-'Imadiyyah District Center and they are fourteen families, Third: The deported of Zakhu District residents, and they are six families. Fourth: The deported from Al-Quds Compound belonging to Sarsang Sub District in Al-'Imadiyyah District and they are nine families, Fifth: The deported and detained, residents of Al-Duski precincts of Duhuk District and they are five families.

    Moreover, the court had reviewed the letter issued by the Eastern Intelligence Systems No 2022 dated 1987 September 18 to the General Military Intelligence Directorate/ 3rd section, that includes: (1) A list of villages that were demolished within our systems' sector from 1987 June 01 until 15 of the same month which are six villages, and this the document is signed by Staff Brigadier General (Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas Al-Juburi) Director of the Eastern Intelligence System at that time.

    The court had reviewed: was the letter issued by Salah Al-Din Section ref. no. 1271 on 25 May 1987 that is addressed to the Commands of all Divisions and that includes: Salah Al-Din Section Command decided in their meeting that took place on 15th of May 1987, the following:

    1. Cells of members and security committees are to take responsibility of the transported families from the security embargoed villages and transfer them to new compounds and in case these families refused to stay they will be compelled to stay and will be treated strictly according to the last decisions and directions.

    2. The Commands of the Parties Divisions are each doing accurate inventories of the families who were deported from the security embargoed villages and did not reside in the compounds that were made for them, to know where they live and force them to go back and live in the compounds that were especially created for them.

    This document was signed by the Secretary of Salah Al-Din Section Command ('Ashur Shihab Ahmad).

    The court had reviewed: was the telegram issued by the Southern Intelligence System that is addressed to the (3rd Section). Number of origin 9206 on 23rd May 1987 that includes: villages elimination, blowing buildings of Qara Chiwar Mosque and School, the removal of concrete buildings of 'Ilyawah mosque and the removal of the following villages: (Sulaymana, Miramar, Ashkawtan, and Huz Kawama). Their residents were relocated to Zarayan compound, Ghulam Kawa and Biya Rash villages were also removed, as also was noted in the telegram that Biwila, Barkh, and Daskara villages were removed as well.

    The court had reviewed: was the telegram issued by the Southern Intelligence System that is addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate/3rd section. No. of origin 9204 on 23rd May 1987 that includes the deportation of families according to the following schedule:

    Below are the families who were deported to Al-Nasr compound which is interrelated to Zarin Subdistrict and the name of their villages:

    Name of village Number of deported families
    Chinara 78
    Birki 40
    Qashti 8
    Bani 109
    Alan 65
    Hasil 71
    'Azaban 19
    Kani mard 426
    Daskara 1
    Ahmad birnaw 12
    Baraw Di 29
    Kani hamza 6
    Sufi 1
    Zala rash 4
    Bakhshi 42
    Dari Qalan 16
    Kani Kuchukh 30
    Qalbiza 46
    QiIlija 10
    Kani Kawa 5

    The court had reviewed: was the letter of Al-Ta'mim Governorate Health Department ref. no: 783 on 12th of June 1988 that is addressed to Al-Ta'mim Governorate - Interior Affairs Directorate its subject is, corpse and includes: below is the Emergency Hospital letter ref. no. 44 on 6th of June 1988 and at the end of the document is a text of the Emergency Hospital letter that includes: every now and then we receive corpses of dead individuals of Kurdish families that are detained in (Tupzawa and Dibis) except that the sent corpses that do not meet the legal requirements. So, we kindly request to the camps that in case of sending corpses, an official letter addressed to the Medical Justice of our Hospital should be attached clarifying about burying the corpse or handing them to their families or keeping them sealed with the cap's stamp until the investigation is completed, and the full name of the camp's commander or his official deputy to take necessary actions and prevent mistakes of happening regarding this subject. This document is signed by Doctor Mumtaz Faraj Hindi director of Emergency Hospital.

    The court had reviewed was some letters addressed to the Medical Justice that was issued from (Tub Zawa) and we mention for example ref no. (Non given) on 3rd of May 1988 and it included: We send you the corpse of the dead Sirwan 'Uthman Salih, kindly take necessary actions.

    Also, another letter numbered (without number) dated 1988 June 10, includes the following: We send you body of the deceased person (Muhammad 'Aziz), kindly to bury him and take necessary procedures.

    Also, another letter number (without number) dated 1988 June 20, which includes the following: We send you bodies of the deceased persons, their names listed bellow, kindly receive them, take necessary procedures to bury them and inform us.

    Names:

    1- Nasrin Muhammad
    2- Khatun Hamid
    3- Sarkawt Majid

    Also, the court reviewed the telegram issued by the Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in Al-Sulaymaniyyah governorate, sent to the Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in (Bazyan/ 'Arbat), reference number (Committee/ 92) that includes the following:

    1- Detain all families coming to the cities and compounds, those who emigrating from the security-restricted villages.

    2- Activate all of the Party, Military and Security Organizations. Inform us about their details with names. The Security Directorate is charged with detaining them.

    3- It is decided that Security, Military and Party organizations to carry out detention duty for them all and immediately hand them over to the Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Directorate. You must provide us with daily status report to take necessary action, the Subsidiary Committee held responsibility for any remaining family in the cities or compounds, for implementation. Chief of the Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in Central County of Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate is the one who signed this telegram.

    Also, the Court reviewed the telegram number 626 that issued from the Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate to the Subsidiary Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in (Jam-Jamal/ the center) county, which includes the following: There are large number of persons, who currently located in compounds near the Bazyan area, mainly the Allahy compound There is large number of persons, who are currently located in compounds near Bazban area, mainly the Allahy compound, Bayban-al-Jadidah (new Bazyan) city, Al-Salam city as well as Baynjan, Kani Shaytan, Darkazi and Hamawand villages. Kindly to take necessary actions in order to apprehend all of the infiltrated families and send them to the Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Governorate. This telegram is signed by the Chief of the Committee for Fighting Hostile Activity in Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, Ja'far 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Barzanji, dated on 1988 April 18.

    Also, the Court reviewed the document issued from the Armey Chief of Staff numbered 6545 dated on 1988 April 22, sent to the Ministry of Defense Diwan.

    A- We studied what we got of information that included in the letter from the Ministry of Defense and we take the necessary actions.

    B- We carried out strikes, using special munitions, dated on 1988 June 15 against the sites of the sabotage groups in the fifth sector.

    This document is signed by the Staff Major General, Nabil 'Abd-al-Qadir Husayn, on behalf of the Senior Secretariat of the Army Chief of Staff.

    The court also had a acknowledgment on the telegram issued from the Northern Intelligence System to the General Military Intelligence Directorate / 3rd Section, its number of origin 11356 on 1988 June 28 that includes the burning and demolishing the following villages: (Kani Layla, Umar Kand, Sikar Kan, Sikani, Shaytan Rahman, Umal Mirka and Binlaklar). The telegram also states that the force could burn the villages of Barda Si and Mirga and other separated houses in Shalghah valley.

    The Staff Colonel Director of the Northern Area Intelligence Organization to the Military Intelligence Directorate signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the document issued from the Eastern Area Intelligence Organization, numbered 1289 dated on 1988 August 05, sent to the Command of the North Organization, which included the following: To execute the death sentence At 10:00 on 1988 August 1988, the death sentence was executed by shooting against the criminals, who are the subject of your secret letter number 2927 on 20 June 1988.

    The Staff Colonel Director of the Northern Area Intelligence Organization to the Military Intelligence Directorate, convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the letter number 12207 dated 1988 August 15, sent from Irbil Security Directorate to Shaqlawa Security Directorate. The letter subject was relocating specified villages; as the approval issued for relocating the inhabitants of the following villages, as to be located in one of the new cities, then removing their villages. We instructed the Security Committee in Al-Siddiq and the Military entity, in order to take the necessary action. Villages names are: ( Bukran Shaykhan, Buyal, Diyana, Marsa Kada, Nazari Kulsi). Irbil Security Director signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the document that issued from the Military Intelligence Directorate, numbered 5940 dated on 1987 March 11, sent to the Eastern Area Intelligence Organization. The letter subject was relocating villages, that belong to the Qadir Karam subdivision, as represented in the attached list that includes (40) villages starting with Qalkhalu-al-Kubra village and ends with the Byanli village.

    Also, the court reviewed the document issued from the Eastern Intelligence Organization, number 643 dated on 1987 April 04, sent to the Al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence, about removing villages. The letter says that the approval is made on removal of the following villages:-

    1- Sargalu village
    2- Bargalu village
    3- Yagh-Samar village
    4- Ziwa village
    5- Haladan village
    6- Chalawa village
    7- Sharistin village
    8- Shadala village

    The Deputy of the Eastern Intelligence Organization Director signed this document.

    The Court reviewed a copy of the Northern Organization Office Command letter, number 2713/1 dated on 1987 April 1, which includes the following: Based on the authorization given to the Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, his Excellency instructed not to listen for lawsuits submitted by inhabitants of the security-restricted villages as well as lawsuits that concern saboteurs, whatever the case is. He also instructed to freeze processing lawsuits that were signed by the Comrade Radi Hasan Salman, the Deputy Secretary of the Northern Organization Office Command.

    Also, the court reviewed the Irbil Governorate letter number 995 dated 1987 April 14, sent to the Procedure Implementation Divisions in all of the Security Directorates.

    1- To intensify measures that applied for imposing commercial embargo on all of the security-restricted villages, in order to prevent essential nutrition materials from reaching these villages. Inform use with daily situation reports provided by the checkpoints and submitted at the end of each week, as the date you start applying these measures.

    2- Observing fuel stations, hawkers and concerned entities should supervise the selling processes, in order to prevent the fuel from reaching these security-restricted villages in anyway. Irbil Security Director signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the notification note from the Eastern Area Intelligence Organization/ Third Section that was sent to the Section Director. The letter subject is implementing a sentence, it's saying

    1- The Responsible Comrade for the North Organizations Office Command approved on implementing people's sentence on filed, against the listed criminals, according to the approvals recorded next to each criminal's name.

    3- Suggesting sentence filed implementation on Monday 1988 August 01, kindly for review and issue your instructions.

    The Captain Nasrat Sulayman Musa signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the letter from the Eastern Area Intelligence Organization, number 1289 dated on 1988 August 15. The letter subject is implementing sentence, as follows: On 1988 August 15 at 10:00, the death sentence by shooting was implemented against criminals who are the subject of your secret and personal letter number 2927 dated on 1988 May 20 and your both immediate secret letters number 1596 or 1733 dated on 18 and 21 July 1988.

    Staff Colonel, Director of the Eastern Area Intelligence Organization, the convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi, signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the letter from the Army Chief of Staff, number 5051 dated on 1987 May 16 that addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate, which includes the following: It was not approved to execute strikes, due to the shortage in the special munitions quantity, as a result of executing several strikes recently, directed against Iran Agent Headquarters. It is possible to make use of the available real munitions, in firing within available ranges, by artillery or air force.

    The Staff Major General Tariq Husayn Majid, who is the Senior Secretary of the Army Chief Staffs, is the one who signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the letter from the Presidency of Republic - Secretary that numbered 1016 dated 1987 April 02, which addressed to the Army Chief Staff. The letter subject is using the special munitions that includes the following: .. ..Do not carry out the strike, before informing us about how to invest its results. The convict Hamid Yusif Hammadi, who was the President's Secretary at that time, is the one who signed this document.

    Also, the Court reviewed the document that issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate, number 13002 dated 1987 June 15, which addressed to the Second Deputy. The letter subject is (air strike), which includes the following: .. .at end of day light on 1987 June 05; an air strike (using the special munitions) was directed against the First Branch Headquarter of the Barzani group and against the Northern Sector Headquarter in (Bahdinan Sector) of the traitor Iraqi Communist Party at Ziwa area that is located in the Northern-East for the Al-'Imadiyyah County.

    The Staff Brigadier General signed this document, as on behalf of the General Military Intelligence Director.

    Also, the Court reviewed the letter issued from the Military Intelligence Directorate, numbered 8859 dated 1988 April 03, which addressed to the Presidency of the Republic-Secretary. The letter includes the following:

    1- After Anfal operations, which our troops carried out recently for striking headquarters and bases of the sabotage groups and after special strikes that directed against these bases and headquarters; after that all sabotage groups in the Northern area became sensitive from these operations, and they expect that our troops may carry out another similar strikes.

    2- In the Iraq-Turkey border line; there are bases and headquarters for saboteurs of the first branch of the Sons of Treason and Treachery (T.C: Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP) -Barzani group. They became extremely sensitive to that our troops may (including the National Defense Regiments) attack their bases and headquarters, using special munitions, as the case in Anfal. Therefore, they took some measures for facing those possible attacks, as they evacuated part of their bases and headquarters going toward villages close to the Turkish lands. It was not confirmed that saboteurs are coming approaching our units in that area.

    And this document is signed by the Staff Major General Director of the General Military Intelligence, and which was in that time the convict Sabir Al-Duri.

    Also the court reviewed on the document which was issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate No. 9540 dated 12 May 1988, addressed to the Chief of the Army Staff, and contained the result of Anfal Campaign for the period from 26 February 1988 till 10 May 1988.

    Also the court reviewed on the letter of Irbil Security Directorate No. 19299 dated 17 December 1988, addressed to the Directors of Security Sections, and contained: ((...it was decided to give the letters which including information on the production of chemical weapons in a high importance of secrecy)).

    Also the court reviewed about the letter of the Chief of the Army Staff No. 1156 dated 24 August 1988, addressed to the Office of the Secretariat of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces, and contained: ....intended by villages among the prohibited areas, and where the saboteurs are present or what is called by popular resistance, and which were the armed men by the saboteurs from inhabitants of village.

    This document is signed by the Staff Lieutenant General Nizar 'Abd-al-Karim Chief of the Army Staff at that time.

    Also the court reviewed about the document issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate No. (7980) dated 29 June 1988 and addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate.

    1. In the beginning of the current June, a group of the General Security Emergency under the command of the fighter Sabir Bichkul left for inspection duty to the flattened Shaykh Tawil village, and which is affiliated to the cancelled (Pibaz) District.

    2. The above mentioned group arrested the named Fattah Muhammad Rasul who's from the inhabitants of the village mentioned, it is noteworthy that the above mentioned person is retarded, so they killed him, and behead him and take Them to the General Security Directorate, and left his corpse pretending that he is an agent from Iran, the family of the murdered entomb him in Pibaz Sub District. This document is signed by the Staff Colonel and then Director of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, the convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi.

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate no. 10497 dated 29 May 1988, addressed to the Ministry of Defense at that time and which was including:

    1. We received the following information which was practiced by the Staff Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah, the Commander of Protection Oil Forces.

    • On 12 May 1988, three saboteurs jumped from a plane, and in high altitude above Kuysinjaq Sector Command, and in front of the fighters of the National Defense Regiments.
    • On 11 May, they tied a man and woman by a rope, and putting them in a vehicle trunk.... The soldiers of the protection start beating them in front of the inhabitants.
    • A force ordered by him to inspect the houses of the National Defense Regiments' advisors, they captured all money, and jewelry:

    2. As mentioned.....We suggest approving forming an investigation council regarding the officer mentioned. in our Directorate according to the reasons referred to the first article.

    This document is signed by the Staff Major General the Director of the General Military Intelligence Directorate, and which was at that time the convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri).

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate No. 11144 dated 20 May 1987, addressed to the Diwan of the Ministry of Defense, and which was about Iran agent headquarters, and included:

    1) The headquarters of Iran agents which were attacked by air is (10) targets from total of (17)...and which was only treated by conventional munitions, and which are (Hawara, Barza, Yakhiyan, Yagh Samar, Qizlar, Dulabi, Guma Zal, Sharistin, Chalawa, Sargalu and Bargalu).

    2) For the other targets which were attacked by air and by (44) helicopters, by special munitions, are assemblies for Iranian sector in the region located in the North and the East of Chuwarta.

    3) And concerning the use of the special munitions to treat the headquarters of Iran Agent.

    Also the court reviewed the telegram issued by the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, and addressed to the General Intelligence Directorate (Third Section) No. 19579 dated 29 October 1987, and including that on 28 October 1987, a group of the First National Defense Command Forces went with an arranged force to pull down and remove the following villages: 'Ali Mansur, Qalal Injan, Chalka, Shura Awa, Maluma, Hanjira and Kani Sard. This telegram is signed by the Director of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, and who was at that time the convict Staff Brigadier General Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas Al-Juburi.

    Also the court reviewed about the document issued by the Chief of the Army Staff (Office of the Chief of the Army Staff) No. 183 dated 20 March 1988, and addressed to the First Corps Command and the subject was directions that includes in one of its paragraphs: ((Separation of requests for the special air attacks, and other attack to the committee composed according to our secret letter No. 646 dated 18 March 1988, and focusing on the choice of ditches which used by the enemy in Khurmal, Nawsud and Girdishkan)).

    This document is signed by the Staff Major General Nizar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji, the Chief of the Army Staff at that time, and a copy of this document was given to the Secretariat of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces, the Diwan of the Ministry of Defense, Operations Department and the General Military Intelligence Directorate.

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by the Chief of the Army Staff - Office of the Chief of the Army Staff No. 1076 dated 16 August 1988, and addressed to the Commander of the First Corps, the Commander of the Second Corps and the Commander of the Fifth Corps and which was about instructions, and including the meeting which was held with you on 14 August 1988 in the main Center of the General Command of the Armed Forces with a presence of the Deputy of Army Staff Operations and the Directors of the Military Movement, and Air Army in order to exchange views regarding the future plans for Anfal Campaign in your sectors, we confirm the following: a collection of instructions pertaining to the future operations of Anfal. This document is signed by the Chief of the Army Staff in that time the convict (Nizar Al-Khazraji).

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by Irbil Security Directorate no. (15067) dated 14 August 1987, and addressed to Shaqlawa Security Directorate, included the detention of the deceased member of the criminal (Sulayman 'Abd-al-Rahman), and their houses should be pulled down.

    Also the court reviewed the letter issued by the General Security of Irbil Governorate No. (4183) dated 12 March 1988, and addressed to Shaqlawa Security Directorate, and including the decision of money confiscation effectuation of the families belonging to the saboteurs mentioned below and which were ([NAME REDACTED]).

    Also the court reviewed the document which was issued by Shaqlawa Security no. (5114), dated 18 September 1988, and including that in this morning Ajnadin Division Command with the presence of the Security Committee in Al-Siddiq District started to deport and remove (Chula Mirg) village, according to the Northern Organization Bureau, and it was deported (48) families in this day to (Basirma) compound, and the rest of families will be deported next day, and this statement is signed by Shaqlawa Security Director.

    Also the court reviewed the document no. 12310 dated 28 September 1988, which was issued by Al-Baldah Security Directorate, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Directorate and addressed to all deputy directorates. The document includes the orders, which were sent to all checkpoints; regarding the prohibition of families to reside in compounds from transferring their furniture or relocating from one compound to another without obtaining an official permission. In addition to toughen the checking procedures in checkpoints of Dukan Sulaymaniyyah, and Chamchamal Sulaymaniyyah road, and do not give them permissions to control these cases, and for the sake of informing the command with exact way, and sending this document signed by the Director of Al-Baldah Security.

    Also the court reviewed the document which was issued by the committee in charge of counter-hostile activities no. 157 dated 30 September 1988, and addressed to Al-Ta'mim Branch Command of the Socialist Arab of Ba'th Party, enclosing a list of saboteurs' names, whose families are not included in an amnesty during the deportation to the locations of their sons. Please review it and order to the Section Command to control their houses, and arrest the persons from the mentioned families, this statement is signed by the Deputy of Al-Ta'mim Governor. The list attached with this document includes one hundred and twenty family names.

    Also the court reviewed about the document which was issued by the Intelligence System of the Northern Zone, and which is consisting of reviewing to the Director of the System on making statistic and includes:

    1. It was effectuated the execution verdict from our System on (18) saboteurs since the joining of the Office Secretary ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) and till now.

    2. The estimated number of Kurds who left to Turkey during the end of Anfal Operations was (50) thousand persons, and the estimated escapees to Iran (2000) families, and this document is signed by the Deputy Director of the Third Section.

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by Rawanduz Division Command no. 497 dated 30 May 1988, and addressed to all members and including:

    1. All the families coming to the cities or compound, and emigrate from the restricted villages should be detained.

    2. Energizing of all security, party and military authorities, the Security Directorate assume their detention, and this document is signed by Rawanduz Division Secretary named (Zidan 'Atiyyah).

    Also the court reviewed the telegram issued by Northern Organization Bureau, Secretary Office, and addressed to the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone numbered 1546 dated 18 July 1988, and including: it was approved to effectuate the population verdict concerning the subject of your letter mentioned above, and to confirm the arrest of his brother, and the destroy of his house because he gave him a refuge, and did not inform the authorities about it. This document is signed by the Secretary of the Northern Affairs Committee 'Abd-al-Rahman 'Aziz Husayn.

    Also the court reviewed the document issued by the General Military Intelligence Directorate numbered 10311 dated 10 May 1987, and addressed to the Air Force and Air Defense Command, and including their request of providing the names, and the assemblage presence and headquarters of Iran Agent which was attacked, the date of that, and name of used munitions for each target in the objective to specify the effect of our Air Force attacks.

    This statement is signed by the director of the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID); he was at that time the convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri).

    The court also reviewed the letter number (87), dated on 01 June 1987 of the Security Committee for Pishdar District, which addressed to all the committee members and included ((Specify the status of the four actions for accelerating the mission of deporting and destroying the villages and in its specific time as per the decision of Member of State Command ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid). and this statement is signed by the Security Committee of Pishdar District.

    The court also reviewed the telegram number (4067), dated on 08 July 1987, issued by Al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence Center and addressed to the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, which included ((......)) while number of journalists came to see the effects of the Iraqi chemical bombarding to (Sargalu) and probably they will distributed them among the regions which had been bombard, for transmitting these actions to the general international opinion))..

    The court also reviewed the document issued by Irbil Governorate Security Directorate numbered (5507), dated on 23 June 1987 and addressed to the security of the departments, districts and sub districts, in which included:

    The telegram of the Northern Organization Bureau on 20 June 1987, as the official announced period for assembling the security prohibited villages which its date will be finished on 21 June 1987, so we decided to work on the following started from 22 June 1987 and above:

    1- Considering all the security prohibited villages which still, till now the places for the Iran agent saboteurs, the KDP (sons of treason and treachery) and their fellows of Iraq traitors.

    2- Absolutely prohibition for any human or animal existence in it, this is considered as banned operations area and the shooting will be free without any instructions unless there's an order issued from our headquarters.

    3- The traveling to and from it, is banned as well as the agricultural, industrial and animal investment; for all the involved organizations should seriously follow up on this issue for each group according to its authority.

    4- The corps command should prepare from time to time special strikes by artillery, helicopters and aircrafts to kill the largest number as much as possible of whom who will be in this prohibited areas, during all the times day and night.

    5- Detaining all who will be arrested in the villages of this region and the security organizations will investigate him and execute those who will be above 15 years up to 70 years after extracting their information from them.

    6- The involved organizations will investigate those who surrendered themselves to the governmental or Party authorities for a period maximum of 3 days and if it is requested to be 10 days they should inform us about these cases, if the investigation should take more than this period they should request our approval or telegraphic and through the Comrade (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani).

    7- Considered all what obtained by the advisors of the National Defense Regiments or their fighters be in possession of them except the heavy, supported and mid weapons, but keep the light weapons and should inform us with the number of this weapons only.

    This statement is signed by the Deputy Security Director of Irbil Governorate.

    The court also reviewed the telegram issued by Kalar Intelligence Center and addressed to Al-Sulaymaniyyah intelligence System, Eastern Advanced Intelligence System and Al-Eastern intelligence System / 3rd Section/ origin number (2268), dated on 01 June 1987 which included:

    ((.... At 10:00 on 01 June destroyed the following villages by the tanks of Al-Hakam tank battalion, two artillery batteries and with guidance of air observation post: Dahang Kura, Kani Zad, Bawa, Du Khiran, Zariin, Zarda Mahmud Qadir, Talka Al-Sughra, Faraj Waysa, the estimated number for the families of the above villages is (96) family, who escaped with the saboteurs)).

    The court also reviewed the statement issued by the security committee in Irbil, number (2755) dated on 26 July 1987, which included: - according to the authorities given to us as per the Northern Organization Command Bureau number (2396) dated on 06 April 1987, it is decided confiscating the property of the saboteurs listed in the attached list and settlement for their money within one month started from the date of this letter. This statement is signed by (Irbil) governor, the director of the security committee and in this time (Ibrahim Muhammad Hasan). Attached with the statement is a list including 19 names of the persons who are applied for money confiscation. Also, the letter of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone number (1745) dated on 17 August 1987, addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID) which included:

    Attached is a list number (1) for the names of 21 villages which had been destroyed within our System Sector during 01 August 1987 till 15 August 1987; attached to this statement is a list of the destroyed villages' names.

    The court also reviewed the statement issued by Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone number (1863) dated on 31 August 1987, addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID) which included:

    Attached is a list number (1) for the names of 9 villages which had been destroyed within our System Sector during 15 August 1987 till 30 August 1987 and this statement is signed by The director of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, who is at that time Staff Brigadier General, the convict (Khalid Muhammad 'Abbas Al-Juburi); Attached to this statement is a list of the destroyed villages' names.

    The court also reviewed the telegram issued by the Northern Affair Committee, which included: The responsible director of the Northern Organization Bureau 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid confirmed on implementing the subject of our secret and urgent telegram number (4008) dated on 20 June 1987 for the violators. Knowing that the inspection will be took place by aircrafts to check the safety of implementation; in case of occurring any cultivating or winter agriculture works inside the lands of the security restricted villages, the involved security committee will be totally responsible in front of the comrade who is in charge of the Bureau, then the military sectors will implement the orders included in the above mentioned telegram; this statement is signed by the criminal (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani) the Secretary of Northern Affair Committee.

    The committee also listened to the vocal audio and video recordings which presented by the General Prosecution in the trial sessions, in which some criminals talked about the essential procedures that should be taken in the northern region and in Anfal campaigns; the following is copying for these tapes which they listened to it during the trial sessions :

    In the 34th session dated 09 January 2007 of the trail for the case number (1/ Second Criminal/ 2006) (Al-Anfal), the General Prosecution presented 16 parts form the vocal recording of the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid), as follows:

    The 1st Vocal Part: ((This what I submitted to you Sir and I said to him so many times this is from the support and I will bring to you the names which I have it, between you and the Mustashar we will disband them, I want you to know that, and this is the finance, but after we complete the deportation and we want to start the programmed military attacks in the harsh places, we will open and take from every party 1/3 of his land or half and if we repeated we will take 2/3, I will corner them in a place and strike them with chemicals and cause them huge damages; this will not be only for one day or even for 14 days but I will bombard them with chemical weapons till they come and surround themselves with their weapons, by the amnesty I will print a pamphlet and distribute it in the northern region by the Kurdish, Surani, Caldanian and Arabic languages and I will show them that it is from the Iraqi State, but will never let any state sheltering them, as I will tell them, any one who decide to return back is most welcomed but those who will not return I will bombard them again with the new eradicating chemical weapons, this is the only solution for me and I will continue in bombarding and threatening them with the chemical weapons and I will see them in this time, when any country could not talk or support them; I expect (God willing) that all who escaped will return back and I asked the specialized individuals to form gangsters, those good ones in Europe, in order to kill theme whenever they found))

    The 2nd Vocal Part: by the voice of the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid): ((then the turn comes to the other governorates, they was tendency towrds gathering in the compounds, in which every 4 or 5 families shared in one house)).

    The 3rd Vocal Part: by the voice of (Saddam Husayn) about the military law and beheadings. ((We apply the military law, in which this law concerns with the defense situation from the psychological side, not with if we fight or not, so if a committee came during the war and noticed that the defense posts was prepared although all the capabilities were provided, the responsible would be executed; we apply the military law to avoid any interpretation in this issue; if the commanders retreated from their sites during a critical situation, so we should beheaded them and they were already beheaded. So, when you say is this a saboteur or not, then the truth will be lost, so lets then return to the military law and apply without me.

    One of the leaders: when they arrested a person, they all stand up.

    The 4th Vocal part: by the voice of the convict Saddam Husayn) about the Kurdish ethnicity genocide

    • One of the leaders: Sir, pardon me, Rawah they had a suggestion
    • (Saddam Husayn): ((let them come to work in Tikrit, they came before and worked in it; I mean that, this meaning I heard it from the Kurdish who working in it, and with time we convert them to 'Arab, Isn't the family of [NAME REDACTED] became 'Arab?))
    • One of the leaders: You are right Sir
    • One of the leaders: the comrade 'Abd had a story about one from [NAME REDACTED] family was living in Tikrit for 40 years, and the people keep calling him [NAME REDACTED]; and after few days from the Revolution.

    The 5th Vocal part: the voice for one of the military leaders, where as he describes the peculiarities of the Kurdish (related to the convict Saddam Husayn).

    • One of the leaders: the factor of surprise was giving security... but indeed it is scary.
    • One of the leaders: all of them should have tribal name, from the age of two years, there is no body did not have the tribal name in his identity card, another point they totally believe in rumors, they are humble and like the tale bearing, they are immoderate, while the draftee sometimes assassinate the civilians, so they did not consider any compromises.
    • Convict (Saddam Husayn): This is the effect of hastiness.
    • One of the leaders: your nephew said that he was involved in three investigation councils finished by execution.
    • One of the leaders: your nephew said that he was involved in three investigation councils all finished by the right form

    The sixth vocal clip: (concern the convict Saddam Hussein) question addressed to the convict Saddam Hussein about using the chemical weapon.

    • One of the in charges: professor I have a military question
    • Convict Saddam Hussein: Go on.
    • One of the in charges: is the chemical weapon active as we the civilians imagining? -
    • Convict Saddam Hussein: yes active on the people who don't use the safety mask as we the civilian imagine
    • One of the in charges: you mean this weapon could kill thousands
    • The convict Saddam Hussein: yes kills thousands and make them not being able to drink or eat from the available so that they have to leave the city for long period until disinfect it totally, he will not be able to sleep, eat or drink, they go out naked.
    • The convict ('Izzat Al-Duri): I have a note on this, I agreed on everything but concerning the chemical weapon, in my opinion we can't save the quantities in the front lines because in the front its possible some doesn't hit within the active range for the weapon we imagine which Dr. Sa'dun had mentioned because...

    The seventh vocal clip: (concern the convict Saddam Hussein)

    • Convict ('Izzat Al-Duri): it is circumstantial but if production wasn't enough to aim a strategic hit when in need, then we better save this weapon to collect the required need, I rely on such attacks that no one in the world will ask us why you hit this kind of strikes.
    • Convict (Saddam Hussein): However Comrade ('Izzat) - I don't know if you know or not that using this chemical weapon must be based on an order from me.
    • Convict ('Izzat Al-Duri): yes, I know that
    • Convict (Saddam Hussein): I have all the vision of course showing the affection of quantity and quality to the end all that side for sure on my mind, how much we save, how much we spend, what kind we use, what kind we destroy and how.

    The 8th vocal clip (concerning convict Saddam Hussein)

    Saddam Hussein mentioned that the chemical weapon used against the Kurds during a meeting with the leaders

    • Convict (Saddam Hussein): Is this your new order?
    • One of the leaders: This is a common trial and also I will tell you the details of this idea we studied before and applicable to execute by supplying Yushin Aircraft (76) with gas bombs then compress it in containers, each container according to the dimensions by us then we fill it by firecracker phosphor to light the material, in each aircraft we put three containers until we reach the average between (99 - 120) containers then throw it on them, we still have another issue to modify the bombs they are working now to find a way concerning pull the fuse of the bomb.

    The ninth vocal clips (concerning convict Saddam Hussein) about the chemical weapons during a meeting with the leaders.

    • One of the leaders: It will spread in the air and will be visible to see it but we have to choose the suitable area to avoid harming anybody I mean aircrafts hold 120 bombs.
    • Convict (Saddam Hussein): In Al-Hashr Area, it might be good
    • One of the leaders: like the cluster bomb.
    • Another leader: maybe a military camp in the area I swear will harm them based on weapons (57) millimeter, and since they have it will be hit

    The tenth vocal clip (concerning convict Saddam Hussein) order the leaders to hit the Kurdish villages.

    • One of the leaders: North of the city there are three camps and on the road we are flying on low altitude there was people going and coming back but suddenly the road got empty because our troops caught them and those who entered the camp couldn't get out since we hit them by 9 bombs
    • One of the leaders: this terrified them
    • Convict (Saddam Hussein): it has a big psychological affection more than any other thing when they come to see the dig as size as the republican palace.
    • One of the leaders: Mr. President who want to make it on city or village will see the big affection of the sound, dig and trembling

    The eleventh vocal clip (concerning the convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn) talking to the convict (Saddam Hussein) describing the Kurds by saboteurs agents

    • The convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn): it becomes more important after the leadership relocated the villages and destruct it, it's exploited by the saboteurs have their agents who hid inside the towns and cities where also agents inside the national defense regiments, they exploited this case and they will take advantage of it in the coming operations worsen the security in the towns and cities specially (Al-Sulaymaniyyah) and Chuwarta which is the most important this period.

    The twelfth vocal clip (concerning the convict Saddam Hussein) mentioning the attack by chemical weapon

    • Comrade (Thabit): Mr. President, the commander of the 1st Corps before the events was (13) Brigades as our friend mentioned when some of our troops exposed to cutting and surrounding so that I suggest to re-evaluate the status of the first corps to discover where are the peaks that we need to leave or those we need to control, where to be strong at reinforcement and where as reserve, we need more troops, the chemical hits in the depth and wasn't useful, and also on (Qara Dagh) wasn't useful enough and didn't exploit well, I agree with you that we caused loss and fear but our production of (Mustard) which we count on the future is few although the quantity we sent to Kirkuk and the amount we left and other subjects such as the fire support 18 artillery battalions except the light strikes.

    The thirteenth vocal clip (for the convict Saddam Hussein) issue order to execute members in the local security.

    • One of the leaders: sometimes they not arrive sometimes or they stay at the same place and sometimes they jump from the car during transfer, we assigned Division Command Member at the checkpoints and we allow the vacations up to 10% this percent is not including vacations of the internal security, at the checkpoints the division command members will ask the soldier if he is in vacation or not, we expect to increase our troops by 2000 soldiers and 400 soldiers for the special forces.
    • • Convict (Saddam Hussein): you execute many bad members who joined the internal security through relations especially those who came during the war circumstances to avoid serving in the military, anyone you arrest relegate him to the military court and give him a chance but if he belongs to the internal security don't give a chance punish him without mercy cut his head because half of them don't deserve to be in the internal security and they employed according to their relations and relatives, who wants to be an officer in the internal security must be an opponent to Iran and concentrate how to fight the Iranian agents, now when they come to the front it is their mission to fight Iranian directly, tell them so fight.
    • One of the leaders: Mr. President - some of them are traffic police.
    • The accused (Saddam Hussein Al-Majid): Everyone enrolled after the war, especially anyone whom you see his enrolment deserves, even aging 15 years old, chop his head because he came to the traffic department, police and security after the war. Most of them came to avoid serving in the army; I know them and saying that according to my knowledge. They are giving bribes to accept their son in such jobs after the war.
    • One of the commanders: what I am saying, that some troops have good commanders that had the opportunity to make a good administrative re-organization.

    The 14th Audio Portion: ((Conversation between the accused Saddam Hussein and 'Amir Rashid regarding the hiding of chemical weapons))

    • 'Amir Rashid: Raw material of the chemicals in the previous activity, and based on what I believe in that we can deal with this issue and put an end to it.
    • The accused (Saddam Hussein): What's the financial budget?
    • 'Amir Rashid: For example Mr. President, we had imported this much of chemical materials and produced this much of chemical ammunitions, this means that the sum of the total should be accurate, and the results should be matching which means that if this plant receives such amount of materials then it should produces such amount of weapons and ammunition. So, from his point of view if there was a mistake with this sum, then it might be that Iraq is hiding part of the material and deliberately mistaken in the sum to hide parts for any prohibited activities in the future. Actually we have long experience with them and we can manage it. But still there was a marginal 8% mistakes; they backed off after our validation? But I do not want to bother you as well as the members of the Revolutionary Command Council, I would say that we want to comfort them on their next trip or after a week or two the chemical program, we are controlling in control Very good as well as the nuclear weapon but regarding the biological, we need to discuss it with your Excellency, could handle the biological issue within two months, more or less than that. We must settle on one way or another. In my opinion if we move......

    The 15th Audio Portion: ((Speech between the accused Saddam Hussein and 'Amir Rashid and Tariq 'Aziz concerning the biological weapons)).

    • The accused (Saddam Hussein): I do not think, O.K what is objecting? Now before your arrival comrade Tariq said that we produced biological, which means biological weapons, so if he looked for a real thing in our previous programs. I would say that your answers in the chemical weapons are not all accurate. You introduced him numbers to be convinced and it is apparently that he is convinced in the final out come.

    The 16th Audio Portion: ((Speech between the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and the accused Saddam Hussein))

    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: That is between Baghdad -Kirkuk day and night and between Baghdad -Al-Sulaymaniyyah day and night, while in the past some main roads that are located between Baghdad -Kirkuk - Al-Sulaymaniyyah were closed after 4 p.m. We have some main roads [Kirkuk (Irbil) Ninawa], in the next operations after we leave this meeting, we need your help in this case with three and four brigades in addition to the efforts of the 5th Corps when we will accomplish it with Gods will.
    • The accused (Saddam Hussein): But we will attack in the 2nd Corps (T.C: 2nd Corps) with 10 and attack in the 3rd (T.C: 3rd Corps) with 17 divisions that are outside the local reserve defenses not from the attacking sectors in the 1st Corps and the attacking sectors in the 5th Corps and also attacking sectors in the 1st Special Corps and also the attacking sectors in the 6th Corps. On the right wing, we will send you 10 divisions.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: The fact is Mr. President..........

    In the 35th session dated 2007 January 11 of the trial in the case numbered 1/2nd Criminal/2006, the prosecution presented an audio portions that the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid talks in it according to what's following:

    The 1st Audio portion:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is talking to Duhuk Governor" Governor of Duhuk:

    I want to inform you about Danaluk issue and the groups that Shilanzi Surik describes. Actually, the events that happened in Danaluk, of course you are aware of it, and regarding to what existed are four regiments all (Raykanis) [T.C: National Defense Regiments (Mustashars) from the Kurdish tribe of Rikani] and they were immoral. Short while ago, we held the security committee's meeting in this regard and we called upon the (Mustashars) and told them "you didn't resist during this period, and why you are trying to slow down", actually the area is very important and contains a large number, that is why they are collapsed, in fact till yesterday, some of them came to us and to the Ba'th Party, but we rejected them.

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: Four Regiments

    • Governor of Duhuk: Four regiments formed of the (Rikanis) as well as an addition of two other regiments from outside the area to protect them, as they said that "are bombed and we don't have the weapon to retaliate", in fact they are immoral. This point was debated in the meeting for three hours with them and there was no bombing.
    • One of the Commanders: from these thirteen, which one was not bombed?
    • 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: if they leave them, they will be dislocated. Why bombing them and run out of the ammunitions, the ammunition is very inadequate.
    • The governor of Duhuk: the area is so historically important to us. We know actually as well as my subordinates know about this area. So, we sent a letter to you regarding this issue.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: When did you write to us?
    • Governor of Duhuk: nearly about 10 days or 15 days.
    • The Accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: I saw the mail yesterday and did not come to me and today I did but I did not see it. What are your suggestions?
    • Governor of Duhuk: we suggested for example according to the army concerning some heavy weapon to be given to them for retaliation.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: they give these heavy weapons to the saboteurs.
    • Governor of Duhuk: Based on what Mr. 'Ala' said, to protect these weapons, the army will decide to forms one company, but they are as it and we didn't provide them yet.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: you need to give the list of the six regiments to Mr. (Tahir Al-'Ani). You and the branch secretariat bring them and tell them that today's punishment in this stage is a reduction of 25% of every regiment's personnel in the first day. If they said "We can't", their regiment will be dissolved. But this punishment is for you as you gave the saboteurs a success. The six regiments will be reduced by 25% punishment, for not retaliating against the saboteurs and their collapse in front of the saboteurs' rumors and not in front their bombs. Abu Muhammad, you write them the 25% reduction.
    • Governor of Duhuk: till yesterday, a part of them came to us and I expelled them saying it is shame on you. You disgraced us.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: tell him that, and if he tells you that we can't, put him in prison immediately. Anyway, work on that and after one week, tell them you make a reduction of 50% and after two weeks, tell them that the regiments are disbanded. You tell them after that this is the first time (25%) of your regiment. You are scared of the saboteur's mortars. Why you should be scared of the saboteurs taking your mortars? I need you to bring me some mortars from the saboteurs.
    • Governor of Duhuk: Their number is about 6000.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: these 22 (T.C: most probably the National Defense Regiment number 22) are Iraqis. Comrade Tahir these people because you were able to train them, but we haven't got a chance to train the others. Also, we were only able to recognize the fighters through their Mustashars. And in this meeting you meet with these fighters and replace those Mustashars with six honest Ba'th Division Party Members, and you will find out how you can liberate this place by them, because these are fighters but their Mustashars are cowards. So tell them that the punishment decision against you was because of your collapse in front of the saboteurs' propaganda. After that, if you could not bear, go ahead and every one says that he could not bear, put him in prison after meeting with in the Governor's office in the attendance of the Branch Secretariat.
    • Duhuk Governor: I told them that we are in a state of war, shame on you; you disgraced the tribes, are you fighters, what do they have (T.C: the saboteurs) they are only quarter of a quarter of your numbers

    The 2nd Audio Portion:

    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: in next summer, where will the saboteurs be after there are no villages here or there and every village is living on its own. You don't see the animals how they live. For example, the chicken is holding its eggs until it becomes big. We will not let the villages incubating the saboteurs and live inside them. We have two stages; building the complexes (T.C: Mujamma'at ie the concentration camps) and how to supervise them. I met with the oil products committee. I told them we need to approach in the opposite direction, today the migration is from the country side to the city in the northern area which should be beneficial from the village to the town. We are not giving the village anything in order to force them to move from the village. In the same time, when he immigrated to the town, I educate him patriotically. Therefore, why should I give him four bottles of kerosene weekly? I will give him one bottle only and let him use wood. The women are spoiled, they stopped collecting wood for heating, and we keep delivering fuel and gas during this tough time, while they fill the heaters with kerosene. How many villages are getting fuel for heating? There will be no heating by wood or else, swear to God we are looking forward for the shovels, and we will build fire places and enjoy burning wood in them. So where did the fuel go? The wood became past and we don't feel, what are we doing is a matter of destructing Iraq? We also don't give them wheat, sugar, oil and electricity. I let him stay beside me putting in his mind patriotic and national thoughts. Whey should I let him stay there not knowing any thing like a deaf, I work to deprive him with the full basins for 5 years. I don't need to export your wheat 5, 20 years, we have been importing wheat, lets add another 5 years, I will prevent the areas the large areas along with forbidding the existence in it from Qara Dagh and from Binin to Kifri to Diyala to Darbandi khan to Al-Sulaymaniyyah, I don't need them what are the supplies that we are getting from them?
    • One of the attendants: But it's dangerous.
    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: Let us be merchants and let us see how much we spend on it and how much we profit from it. Our people are all rotten here. Here is not big, tours in Qadir Karam? The precursor's of Prophet Muhammad, they are the relatives of Ja'far Al-Barzanji (T.C: he was the Governor of Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate) who is sitting in front of me, some of them are worse that the traitors. They were spoiled by the patriotic tendency and the time...etc. The citizen here needs to read God's book in order to understand this all and not to read atheism, they read God's book and then make sabotage acts. What is it; this is an introduction for praising (T.C: this sentence is not understandable) the sanctity of Iraq. Is there any sacred place except for Iraq?

    The 3rd audio portion:

    • The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: I remember Jalal Al-Talibani, and I sent you a message. He sent me one of his people and said that we are ready for negotiations, there were a lot of yields and was a chance to take advantage of, but under the main condition that we should stop demolishing the villages. After that, the officer went there.

      I the evening I was informed by Salah-al-Din Intelligence Directorate that wrote me a message through the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party "he said and I said". Then I asked him to document the letter. I gave that good answer but I know his inclination because this is not a personal issue but it is a political one. I informed Mr. President that I had received such a message and he gave a comment that made me glad. Mr. Abu 'Ali on God we depend, and some of the Corps Commanders were not serious and they asked in one of the General Command of the Armed Forces meetings that they attended to delay for one more month, I told him: not for a day, not for a day, not for a day. I frankly spoke to them and to all the attendants; told them: brothers, this is our stage, from now you consider the slogan of the end of Relocation and not Arabization, losses and minimization. (T.C: means that accomplishing the relocation is the fastest solution than Arabization). The ones, who can not go with this slogan, let me know personally and I will keep it secret, as well as the ones who can not bear their responsibility.

    Fourth audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: 300 armed individuals came and told me that they surrendered. I played the video film taken of the village and I said they owe the Arabs revenge. So that I feel strong (to punish and not to pardon them) and I would not be driven by the political seduction that a group of traitors would live and grow up in the Great Iraq. I worked faithfully and seriously in a race with myself. When the Amnesty Decree came, it nearly shocked me; but it was synchronous. This is our people, and who ever is useful, even though we did not find any one useful among them, let the best one just be useful for himself, and we will appreciate that. If you ask me now about the prominent Employees, except (Irbil) and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governors, I absolutely do not trust any Kurd.

    Fifth audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: Comrade Abu-'Ali the Mujamma'at (T.C: concentration camps) have increased in number. We thought in how to protect them, from the security aspects. Of course the camps are still, I said still I have to fence them all with fences (T.C: barbed wires) and prohibit entering or getting out from one or several doors. Based on that, I assigned one thousand and five hundred individuals from the army and volunteers from the security and police and one hundred and fifty volunteers. I assigned all these for fencing the Mujamma'at, but I see it now as illogical, immoral and inhumane to put an enemy in Mujamma'at, whereas they ask you for money, they do not comply if you put a fence, they break it, and break the law, the officers then will slaughter them. But when I provide them with means of living and they still deviate, that is intolerable and they deserve to be cut in 100 pieces or even more if they are big.

    Sixth audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: Four Rikani regiments can not protect themselves, yet we want them to protect others, isn't it.

    An attendant: yes.

    The indicted 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: good, you sentence him to (25), and you see what happens after fifteen. Tell him you won't get the (25%) back unless you proved an aptitude. If you prove it, then you'll get the (25%) back; you see that he will fight as you want him to do. Because the Mustashars loyalty is opportunist and not Iraqi patriotic; and has nothing to do with all this. So, Comrade s don't be surprised if there are some ones who belong to this group, who are opportunists. Because the ones who belong tie builders are opportunists, and this will change their doctrinal faith and they belong to the defense regiments; and change the faith of their doctrine. The notes that you stated I know them, and sometimes know even in details. The area needs such kind of strikes that make effect; but as the authorities, the army and enlightenment are absent since twenty or thirty years, they began to get used to. It is so wrong being afraid of telling the Mustashars that he has to go to jail, fearing that he will escape to the saboteur's side. I tell him go, go to your bodies, go to the saboteurs, Curse your mustache (T.C: a dishonor curse), nobody speak to him, let him till he goes, what made the saboteurs numerous, you don't scientifically calculate to see how the saboteurs increase in number. The saboteurs are a part of the finger, from 10 fingers.

    Seventh audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: we said that the saboteurs concentrate in the dispersed villages and there are sites where some of them are provided with ammunition and information, etc. therefore, all the villages that are securely restricted we re-gather them so that the saboteurs will be isolated. We did it on two stages, the first phase begins on 21 April and ends on 21 May, and the second begins on 21 May and ends on 21 June. Whoever passes the areas will be beheaded without question according to the instructions. These instructions are still and will remain in effect. They said such and such about robbing the weapons from it, but these villages are prohibited and will remain prohibited; we are free in prohibiting the area (S)

    Eighth audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: No, yesterday, it means that when I say a thread is not detailed information from the Islamic Movement. I asked them what they have, and they brought it to me yesterday. I signed against thirty five and I told them to hang (T.C: execute) them, and I want to carry on with the rest today and we will follow up on the rest.

    Ninth audio clip:

    The accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: There is a point we want to talk about it Sir regarding Kirkuk, when I came with the Comrade (Radi) to Kirkuk, we asked for the census in which Arabs and Turkmen were forming (51%). Their existence in Kirkuk is despite the circumstances and spending on them sixty million Dinars and the details now are clearer, what happened is clear providing that the incoming Arabs to Kirkuk make, in fact, the least proportion. But regarding those who reside there, I (extracted) them all (T.C: meaning the Kurds of Kirkuk). We issued instructions and they were still valid, not only that, I also prohibited work in Kirkuk, its outskirts and villages on those who are not from Kirkuk; I detained some of them, collected them together and beat them, they couldn't say why because they know why.

    In the 36th hearing dated 23 January 2007 of the trial of the case No. 1/ 2nd Criminal/2006, the General Prosecutor has presented recorded audio clips, which contain:

    First audio clip with the voice of the indicted (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif):

    (( I have a suggestion if you don't mind, Mr. Abu Hasan.. J see that the National Organizational Committee discusses the subject of the situation that the Organization faces with the diligence of the National Command Member when requires the formation of any permanent committee, because there is a way for the election of the Deputy official when you expect it is not flatter, when you expect a clear and confident organizational status. Which is based on interaction and love we don't need organization.now we can say.(not clear) (T.C: the audio sound is not clear).. .we don't argue with an official when you have substantiation that convince us or we can convince you.. .and as you said the charm of our journey and our greatness. (T.C: the audio sound is not clear), Mr. the President and your Excellency.. .great whatever you see of the tiny things is a natural status. When we compare our situation, thanks to God, with Europe in the World War 2 people don't believe.but the Deputy Official's mode.. .you know these situations...(T.C: the audio sound is not clear).. .sometimes they want to assign the Comrade X as a Deputy Official.. .they can make it during elections.. .i.e. present a Deputy Official...(T.C: the audio sound is not clear).. .this might not be prepared.the mode depends sometimes on the organization with the Comrade's diligence))

    Second audio clip:

    • An attendant in the meeting: Pardon me Comrade Abu-Hasan.In fact I deduced concerning those who are Arabs and they were registered in (77) (T.C: the census of the 1977) as Arabs and now they want to become Kurds. Thus, all of us persist on the (77) registration, because this situation has to be stable to preserve their ethnicity and because the today's issue in.
    • 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: the Yezidis are Arabs and the Christians are Arabs.. ..we start to teach and assure this matter.. .we have laws brother.. ..tomorrow if we find someone here, we'll tell him aren't you Arab?? He will say: no, I am Kurd.. .we say: you are a deserter from the army .. .you are a deserted.take him as a target, kill him and beat him.you have your law.two or three cases.and we totally put an end to this matter.

    Third audio clip, the voice of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid)

    We said that on the (X) day we begin the relocation.and I recommended my soul to God.. .all went.. .on the same say they occupied Qara Dagh... as a response.. .on the same day I received a phone call at around (11) in the morning. Dukan Regiment Commander wants your Excellency on the phone.I said put him through what does he want.he said.we have a captain...he was detained by Jalal (T.C: Jalal Talabani the PUKleader) and he has just arrived.before.a little bit.and he said he has to see you today.I said keep him don't send him to anybody.a plane will arrive and fly him.I called the Corps Commander I told him that any helicopter is returning.has to land on in Dukan.there is someone called X pick him and put him in the Corps Airport.. .not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear) .he came to me at lunch.I told him to stay for lunch.common stay for lunch.he recited for his story how he went till they caught him.he said they came at sunset.and yesterday in the afternoon.they told me that we want you in the leadership.and I went to the leadership .to X location and I don't know.we arrived to the location.and two came at three by night.told me to sit.he said I sat down.they said we want to take you to see Mr. X you salute him and tell him .. .('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) :To be in the whole picture.. .I told him (T.C: the freed Captain) continue.. .he said they spoke to me.. .I told them can I write notes on a paper so as not to forget, they said O.K . he said after I finished they said tell us (T.C: repeat to us the notes you took which you supposed to deliver to 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid after your release) .I told them and they brought a paper.the summary states the following: we lay the blame on the Authorities who led us to our coordination with the Iranians, because of the negotiation's discontinuance between us.. .this is on one hand.. .we have two claims: a truce or a negotiation.we have no any requests but negotiations that he knows (T.C: 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid).. .if there is neither truce nor negotiation we will increase our coordination with Iran......('Ali Hasan Al-Majid): I told him (T.C: the freed Captain) would not answer you on this, will not going to return back to them (T.C: as a liaison) said sir I am ready.. .if you want I will take back the answer...I told him, no I am going to take the response for them today.. J saw him too hopeful.. .where are your relatives?? He said in Al-Tuz.what is their telephone No.?? he said this is the No.I told the operator put me through his relatives.I spoke to his mother and sister I told them your son is coming back to you after a week by God willing.he spoke to them and they cried.... I said may be I will be rewarded for that.. .we brought a car to drive him back home.. .They (T.C: the PUK letter to 'Ali) if he approves the provisional truce.. .we will immediately stop the military operations.. .and if the army wants...we are ready to cooperate with the military against Iran to occupy any peak mountain they want...but you have to stop the relocation.I said this is good...curse your religion I caught you from where it is painful to you (T.C: the relocation) .. .look brother.. .they came humiliated as dogs.. .not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear) .I said here we are.no negotiations not truce and no relocation stoppage.at 7 o'clock evening.they told me the Brigadier General Walid in the Corps wants you.he told me sir.Mr. X from the Intelligence wants to talk to you while I was going out.I told him: no.I am going to the Military Divisions.I promised you to come on the basis of.and I didn't come that day.I will call you on the military phone.I will see what he got.I phoned him.he said: there are two men X and Y.the same men came to the Kurdistan-Iranian Democratic Party. They say such and such.I said what.remove the.not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear) .. .my brother.. .I can't understand you well.. .I said return back to the public line: say it again so that they hear it and you write the reply properly.I went to...not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear)... and now I spoke as I wanted.. J told him write down the reply.and I want it to be sent today.on the same day to the Iranian Democratic Party.tell them this is urgent to Jalal.and pass my greetings to Mr. X.tell him to send someone.and I know what to tell him.and write the following.I told him the reply with no back down .and while I was in the meeting even without telling the Command or his Excellency Mr. President..Immediately.. so that they know this.such decisions are not a minor thing.. .they believed that the Leadership is sitting and doing nothing.. J made decisions. Not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear). I told him they sent me a captain and he arrived at noon.you called me in the evening.I said: I sent someone to them.and you calling me in the evening.. .First no negotiation and no truce with the collaborators with Iran. Second: Regarding their increased coordination with Iran, it is not some thing new by the agents.we fought Iran in Al-Hasad Al-Akbar Battles with five hundred thousand.. .lets make it five hundred and twenty thousand.we will still fight them.Three: In the case they ask for coming back but as persons not as politicians, as simple persons.go ahead and open a bracket and write this phrase: (we might think in accepting them as Iraqis with a second priority (T.C: second class citizens) ..., and close the bracket.. .Four: The Kurdish nobles have to be isolated from the Kurdish agent in this way and we won't stop this.this is the reply. I wrote it to the President it is over.. .and I requested to circulate to you.. .not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear)...I forgot what I wanted to tell you.. .not clear.. .this is it...I told him this and that and replied to them and may be I replied well. He gave his good comment...I said to make it clearer this is our direction.they called me before the fourth or the fifth day.. .they said Jalal say.. ..he wanted a direct contact between him and me... between him and me only. I told them he should write to me officially.. .I don't act secretly.I replied on the following day by night.that I went to Al-Sulaymaniyyah.at seven and a half.. .struck them with the special ammunition. This is my answer.. .it was put into effect and we started the relocation.. .and now he wanted... between me and him. Without informing the Party...as he sent this officer (T.C: the captive captain) that the topic remains between the three.. Jalal, Mr. X and Mr. Y.. .and he knows that we are those people on basis not clear (T.C: the audio sound is not clear)... I had summoned the Mustashars of the National Defense Regiments, and I told them: Yesterday, Jalal sent me such message and I answered him like this...and completely explained it... he never called back. (Not clear)..I told them (T.C: his subordinates) go and tell them do not be embarrassed of the regiments and who tells you that our village will remain, you can tell them: My brother what do you mean that your village will remain. I cannot leave you; because I will strike with chemical weapons then you will die along with your people. You must leave, so that I will strike them with chemicals... leave with what... From now my brother leave ... No.... never, not even any human, (Unclear).. .tell them that they should leave because I will strike then... and I will strike them with chemicals and kill them all...What they will say? The International (TC: the International Community). curse the International along with the everybody who comes for help... stop this, ... see how wicked is this pimp Jalal...what happened to his mind and requested a truce for one day... he agrees even on one day truce.. .(Unclear)... then he would become the savior of all Kurds, because he stops relocation... then I swear by God...even if the war stops, I swear by Quran even if the war stops and Iran withdraws from the occupied lands.. .and at the same day, it stops... I will never stop, because Jalal would turn at the time a patriot.... That act will turn him from an agent to a patriot.... I rather be sent abroad or will leave no Kurdish speaking in Kurdish.. .and stop... no March (T.C: He will not honor the agreement of establishing the fictitious Autonomous rolling region issued in March 1974) nor the cries from the sky or anything

    The Fourth vocal phrase with the voice of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid)

    We complete the relocation.. .then we start striking with systematic military operations.. .into very harsh positions.. .where we break into.. .we take from every group the third of his occupied land or its half.. .and if we could we take the two thirds.. .surround them in a place... and when I strike them with the chemical I will cause them high casualties... and I will not strike them with chemical not only one day, but (15) days, two days, ten, five and so on .. .then I would come and offer amnesty for the one who lay his arm down and surrender.. .and I will tell them there is an amnesty. I will also type one million pamphlets in Kurdish, Surani, Bahdinian, and Arabic languages and spread it in the north... and I would never say it is from the Iraqi State. Which one of them is easier, and never let the state notice them.. .and I will tell them, the one who come back now, you are most welcome.. .and the one who does not, will be struck with another two rounds of the new fatal chemicals. I will not say: with the chemicals, because it is recorded.. .I would say with the new weapon that would wipe you by Gods welling.. .I will send and tell them... (Unclear).. .see my brother this time.. .all the vehicles of God will not be able to hold them.. .I am hoping for this with Gods welling.. .that means I swear by God... as I see you now.. .but the same as I have confident in myself.. .(Unclear)... this time when I went there I told the specialists... I told them I need gangsters... groups from these fine-men (Professionals) in Europe... and the place that they find them in, they kill them... we must do it by Gods welling... what are these fagots... we surround them.... Only in Iran... and in Iran I point on them Mujahidin Khalq.

    The Fifth vocal phrase with the voice of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    Since the relocation, removal, and the boarders decisions.... (Unclear).. .between us and the saboteurs and others... the first compliant was addressed before the President was from Comrade, Tali' Al-Duri. Moreover, the first one I was scared of is Tali' Al-Duri... and until now the impact of Tali' still remains concerning the villages that were not removed which I requested from him... since that time. (Unclear), the senior cadre of the Party in the Military Establishment, might convince others who are in lower rank than him and resolve the Kurdish issue and kill the saboteurs.. .(Unclear).. .they say show them on television. Those are the one who surrendered... brother; this means I will let them survive. In addition, if they showed them up on television... what would I do with them? (Another person speaks: they call them captives) and a telegram is then comes to me from this great man (The Father) (T.C: Saddam Hussein) mentioning to take care of the prisoners... taking care of the saboteurs families and etc from the General Command.. .they bring them... I told him it is easy, you just command me..., but there care would be by burying them with bulldozers... and some comes requesting names of the captives to publish them? I told them haven't you had enough with the newspapers? And with television? (Unclear).. .good ...Where alright.. .where I can put them..? all those people? I tried to distribute them among the governorates.. .I then will send Poclains (T.C: is a brand of Bulldozers) and shuffles to them.

    ((Accused Testimonial Summaries Through out the Investigation and Trial))

    ((Testimony of accused Tahir Tawfiq Yusif Al-'Ani during the investigation))

    The accused Tahir Tawfiq has stated before the investigative judge that in late 1986 or early 1987 he was appointed Secretary of the Northern Affairs Committee, announcing that he fulfilled his position until he was appointed Governor to (Ninawa) Governorate on September the15th 1987, declaring that he held this position until November the 15th 1991. Before the investigative judge he denied any relation to ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) or having been an attribute of thereof, also denying being dispatched on behalf of 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to commit any unlawful acts.

    • The Investigatory Judge asked: Who is in charge of (Ninawa) Governorate?
    • He Replied: In view of my duties in my job as Governor of (Ninawa), I am number one administrative figure for the (Ninawa) Governorate, the geographical patch within and all matters that occur within.
      He also mentioned that districts and sub districts interrelated to Al-Mawsil among which is Al-Hadar, are all within his specialty and fall into the administrative jurisdiction that he was assigned.
    • Before the Investigatory Judge, he denied acknowledgement or having heard of the existence of mass graves that were discovered in Al-Hadar that is interrelated to (Ninawa) Governorate, or any connection what so ever.
    • The Investigatory Judge stated that the fact of the graves indicates that whoever was responsible for it had government assistance in the governorate and required a long period of time and coordination with the side responsible for the arrest and burial of all those people who's numbers were between (1000-4000) which required means of transportation, machinery, bulldozers and means of security, as well as the fact at the site of the crime where empty cartridges were found indicate a number of individuals responsible for the killing process.
    • When the Accused was asked how he would explain the presence of empty cartridges at the scene of the crime and how he would explain this according to his knowledge?
    • He Replied I have no knowledge on this matter, I did not commit this crime, and I have no knowledge of this despite the fact that I am the governor of (Ninawa) and I was occupying the position of chief of the security committee in the governorate.
    • He was asked by the Investigatory Judge: in event of the occurrence of any emergency or security situation, is the governor informed?
    • He replied: Yes, the governor is informed in such situations.
    • The Investigatory Judge asked: who is responsible for the murders and dislocation in the northern area?
    • He replied: It is the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid according to his authorities by the ruling of the Revolutionary Command Council's decree no. (160)

    ((Testimony of accused Tahir Tawfiq Yusif Al-'Ani during the trial))

    • He sated before the court when he was asked by the court, who was responsible for the Northern Affairs Committee?
    • He replied: The Northern Affairs Committee is a government institution and not a party post, and it is headed by Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council ('Izzat Al-Duri) and its job was to take care of social figures and Sheikh's and occasionally request for formations of national defense regiments were submitted to the committee when there is a need by the army, then the matter is reviewed after the approval of the security authorities and then formations take place.
    • Questioned by the court: who was responsible for following up the procedures of formations of the national defense regiments?
    • He replied: The Secretary is responsible for following up on regiment formations since an application form exists for this purpose within the Secretariat.
    • With a question from the court: who are the members of the Northern Affairs Committee?
    • He replied: The Minister of Defense, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Planning, the Secretary of the Northern Organization Office, the Heads of both the legislative and Executive Councils in the Kurdistan area, heads of security systems, the Security Director, the General Intelligence System Director, the General Military Intelligence Director and the Army Chief of Staff is also a member of this committee.
    • The Court asked the accused: when the committee signs, gathers and reaches a decision at which stage its role end, it become the Secretary's role, in other words the Secretary will follow up executing the rulings of the committee?
    • He replied: Yes, and added that the committee did not meet during the period in which I was the Secretary, and that the committee met five times over a period of seven years.
    • The Court asked the accused: What are the jurisdictional duties of the Northern Affair's Secretary?
    • He replied: The execution of orders that emerge from the Northern Affair's committee, and he admitted before this court that he was responsible for the formation of one of the regiments which was (Rashid Al-Sindi's) regiment.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): In your role as Governor of (Ninawa), are you the foremost figure in command of Ninawa Governorate, keeping in mind this was your original statement?
    • He replied: Yes, I was an (open minded) Governor and I was informed of everything, anything that reached the residents, certainly reached me. My relationship with all Administrative officials was of a good nature.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): Is Al-Hadar part of Ninawa Governorate?
    • He replied: Yes, Al-Hadar is a district that belongs to Ninawa Governorate that lies (80) km away from the Governorate.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): In accordance to being the Governor of Ninawa and an official, this would put you in command of the Security Committee, Correct?
    • He replied: yes
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): Did Al-Mawsil municipality, belong to you?
    • He replied: Yes, including machinery (Bulldozers, Drillers and other machines)
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): You mentioned before this court that you participated in meetings held by the Northern Organization, right?
    • He replied: Yes, I did.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): In accordance to being the Governor of Ninawa, were you a member of the Northern Organization office?
    • He replied: Yes, for purpose of correlation.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): What do you mean ("yes, for purpose of correlation")
    • He replied: I am one of the members of the Northern Organization Committee and it was my duty to correlate between within Al-Mawsil branches and the Secretariat of the Northern Organization Office.
    • The Court asked the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yusif): Did you attend Northern Organization Office meetings?
    • He replied: Yes, I attended, yet I also missed them, for every meeting I attended I missed five.

    ((Statement of accused Farhan Mutlak Salih Al-Juburi during the investigation))

    The accused Farhan Mutlak Salih Al-Juburi stated before the court that in 1985 he was appointed the director of the Northern Zone Intelligence System that specialized in gathering Intel concerning the Iraq/Iran war and after the Northern area was divided between the Eastern Zone and Northern Zone, which specifically occurred in 1986, and it became the duty of the Northern Zone Intelligence System to gather Intel about Syria, Turkey and a part of Iran in addition to acts that they labeled as "Acts of Sabotage" by the Kurds.

    He also stated that the Northern System had ten intelligence stations spread out in the area that gathered information in accordance to sources, and before the Presiding Investigatory judge, it emerged that both organizations were correlated to the General Military Intelligence Directorate were both System duties were to gather Intel on what was called the "Enemy" and "Suspected Enemy" which was then sent to the Genral Military Intelligence Directorate.

    He Sated that correlation between the two System s and the General Military Intelligence Directorate continued until the issuance of decree no. (160) dated 1987 March 29th, from the so called the Disbanded Revolutionary Command Council and which empowered ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) with all the authorities of the President of the Republic and obeyed all Security and Intelligence systems to report to him.

    The accused Farhan Mutlak Stated before the Investigatory Judge that ((any order issued by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was implemented immediately as stated in the decree at the time as I remember from the General Military Intelligence Directorate that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is considered the ruler of both Systems, by both Systems I am referring to the Northern and Eastern Systems, and with this we were correlated to him yet still working in our previous work)) He continued on to say ( in the event of carrying out any orders issued by the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) we would comply and send a copy of the response to the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID) for review))

    The accused stated before the Investigatory Judge: after that another order was issued by the Military Intelligence Directorate changing the way of sending the accused individuals to the Northern Organization Office instead of the (GMID), that office was under the command of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid).

    And stated that there is no one can disobey an order issued by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and (the accused Farhan Mutlak) denied any role of the Two Intelligence Systems in Al-Anfal Operations, and he mentioned that Al-Anfal Operations are military operations and were carried out by the 1st, 2nd and the 5th Corps.

    And stated before the Investigating Magistrate that ((our system, he means the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, didn't receive or extradite any Kurdish family, whereas the operations orders issued by the Chief of Army Staff stated that these families to be sent to the Northern Organization Office))

    And also stated before the Investigating Magistrate that ((I saw those families driven in military convoys going towards the People's Army Commands in Kirkuk, where these families were collected there, and the Northern Organization Office was responsible for those families fate)). And he denied before the Investigating Magistrate any role of the Intelligence System which he was in charge of (Eastern System) in collecting the families and transferring them to the Northern Organization Office, and when he was asked about his response to what have been said by the accused (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri) before the Investigating Magistrate that the Accused Farhan Mutlak was in charge of receiving the families and sending them to the Northern Organization Office, he answered ((the Accused Sabir Al-Duri statement is not true regarding my responsibility for receiving the families, and I have no relation with that matter)).

    And the Accused Farhan Mutlak Salih stated before the Investigating Magistrate when he was questioned about the fates of those Kurdish Families who were transferred from their villages and disappeared during Al-Anfal Operation.

    ((Those families were transferred by the security systems in the area, in addition to our system, there are other security systems such as the security directorates, the Intelligence, the Northern Zone Intelligence System and Security Staff of the Corps and Divisions)).

    ((The Statement of the Accused Farhan Mutlak Salih Al-Juburi during the trial))

    The Accused Farhan Mutlak stated before the court that he was working as a Director of the Northern Zone Intelligence System from 29 March 1987 to 02 November 1987 and then a director of the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, and he continued occupying this position until November 1988.

    The court questioned the accused Farhan Mutlak about the nature of the intelligence work? He answered: The intelligence work is collecting the information about the enemy and potential enemy and the friends, fearing of becoming enemies one day. And also stated that the (GMID) consists of five directorates, and the fifth directorate of those directorates called Iran and North Deputy Directorate and its director at that time 1987-1988 was Staff Major General (Wafiq Al-Samarra'i) and according to his position, he was considered as the Deputy of the (GMID) director, and this Deputy includes the Third Section which is the Section of the North and its director was Major General (Walid Nayif), and he stated that the Third Section Director is the direct responsible on the Northern and Eastern Zone Intelligence Systems, and when the information become available to me, I send it to the Third Section, and the same to the Eastern Zone Intelligence System, when information become available it send it to the Third Section, and he mentioned that the Eastern Zone Intelligence System was containing nine centers connected with the system headquarter, and those centers were spreading over different areas where the Eastern System was covering.

    And the court questioned the accused: What is the duty that was imposed on the system? And he answered: The main duty is collecting the information, and the accused mentioned that Colonel (Fadil 'Ali Sulayman) and Captain ('Abd-al-Karim Salih Juwad) worked with him in the Intelligence System.

    And the court questioned the Accused: If Captain ('Abd-al-Karim Salih Juwad) is the specialist of the executions committee? And he answered: Definitely, because he is the only person in the Section of Kurds.

    And the court questioned the Accused: If the role of the Intelligence System is the same role of the (GMID)? And he answered: The main duty of the Intelligence System is collection the information about the enemies and potential enemies and the friends.

    And the court questioned the Accused: If the Intelligence System is working on transferring the information which comes from the (GMID) and asking if the results are true or fouls?

    The Accused answered: Yes. And he clarified to the court the way of work, whereas he clarified that he was meeting the individuals who were working with Pishmarga and then writing the reports with all the details that the source informed him.

    And the court questioned the Accused: Do you mention the grid coordination at the letters you are sending to the Military Intelligence? He answered: we mention the maps above the report we write, and we write the maps so that the responsible can drop the grind on the maps because its his guide in the operation chamber, when he drop the information on the map he knows that these locations are exist and where its position at the maps. And the court questioned: Did you send something like that before? He answered: Yes.

    And the court questioned: If the Accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) is considered the commander of the Eastern and Northern Zone Intelligence Systems? He answered: The connection of the Eastern and Northern Intelligence Systems passed with two eras, the first era was before issuing the Revolutionary Command Council Decree No. (160).

    The Two Intelligence Systems were connected to the Third Section which was connected to the (GMID) Director, but in the second era which I mean that after issuing Decree No. (160) on 29 March 1987 they became (The Eastern and Northern Zone Intelligence Systems) connected to the Northern Organization Office according to decree No. 160.

    And he stated before the court: according to the applied system in the army since 1968 until 1987 that the Intelligence System was conducting the interrogation with any arrested individual and transferring him to the Investigation Judge who validates his testimonies and then transfers him to the (GMID) where he would be trailed, but after issuing the decree No. 160 of year 1987, this system has changed and every arrested individual was transferred to the Northern Organization Office to carry out the field sentences against him, and by that, the applied systems in the army were disabled.

    And the court questioned the Accused (Farhan Mutliq Salih): What were the orders that were issued from ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) to you and within your specialization? He answered: I did not receive any thing except the subject of the accused individuals and we referred them to him, and they were counted on the fingers of one hand.

    And the court questioned: Considering that you are the director of the Intelligence System and you have all the information about Al-Anfal Operations, were there villages had been destroyed and eliminated?

    He answered: The villages were eliminated by the army.

    And the court questioned: were the inhabitants of the villages dislocated?

    He answered: They were dislocated and handed over to the Security Directorates in the Northern area according to the Northern Organization Office's Instructions.

    And the accused stated before the court: that the villagers of the eliminated villages were dislocated and forced to live in residential complexes.

    As he testified that it was confirmed at the operations Orders that every division prepared a camp for the inhabitants to transfer and extradite them to Security Directorates.

    The court questioned: Who are the Executions Committee's members and what are their names?

    He answered: A representative from the Intelligence System, Security Officer from Kirkuk Military Hospital, a Physician Officer and a representative from Northern Organization Office. The committee members are Ibrahim Shu'ayr Jibarah a physician residing Kirkuk Military Hospital, and the representative of Eastern Zone Intelligence System Captain 'Abd-al-Karim Salih Juwad.

    When the accused (Farhan Mutlaq Al-Juburi) was questioned by court: Did you carry out Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid's orders concerning the execution of suspects without trial, were you convinced with such punishment or you were not, but carried out orders fearfully? The convict answered: I didn't carry out orders because the Quadruple Committee is in charge of implementation, formed prior to my arrival.

    He was asked by court: But the Military Intelligence Representative is affiliated to you, he answered: yes, I agree with you but let's discuss it. This committee was formed before I come and this scheme was applied before I come. When I arrived [let any of you stand in my shoes], it was impossible to directly dismiss the committee or to state that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid orders will be denied. I mean is it logic, does any of you act in such manner? I said, I will continue with such scheme, the committee was already formed, and as you used to operate ... continue operating. The only difference is that officers bring me the report and I signed it, to refer it to Northern Organization Office. I'm facing orders which if disobeyed will cause my execution.

    The convict testified in front of court that Al-Sulaymaniyyah Military Intelligence Center is one of the centers under his command (Eastern Zone System) and this center's director takes orders from him directly and is one of Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate Security Committee's members.

    Convict Farhan Mutlik Salih testified when questioned: Where did the executions been carried out? He answered: At the Corps, specifically at Military Police Company Headquarter. I didn't witness that but what I know is they took them to the Corps.

    When the court showed the document that was issued by [GMID], from Eastern Zone Intelligence System, holding Ref No[15055] on 21 October 1988, containing "there are two Kurdish families who had been arrested by Al-Tuz Military Intelligence Center and transferred to Security Directorate despite their surrender after the amnesty, the convict testified, in front of court, that His work was transferring information ""whatever info I receive from the source, I refer it to the Directorate".

    ((Testimony of Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn Al-Duri within investigation))

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn testified before Chief of Investigative Judges that in 1987, as he was Staff Major General, he was assigned as GMID Director, and testified that the latter includes five Deputy Directorates, one of them called (Iran Deputy Directorate) headed by Staff Brigadier General Wafiq 'Ajil Al-Samarra'i, and a section known as (North Section) was attached to this Deputy.

    He testified as well that, as being GMID Director, he was Armed Forces General Command's member.

    The convict testified before Chief of Investigative Judges that from the basics of GMID tasks is collecting data on enemy, potential foe and friends, presenting suggestions or correspondences to Ministry of Defense and Chief of Army Staff, as well as suggestions to Armed Forces General Command, and sometimes Presidency of the Republic.

    He testified that Eastern and Northern Zones Military Intelligence Systems, after issuing Decree No. (160) ((Bygone Revolutionary Command Council's Decree)), were directly linked to North Organization Office, headed at the time by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. Both systems were directly getting orders from him as, in fact, the order was carried out.

    When he was questioned by Chief of Investigative Judges "As being Armed Forces General Command's member, how Al-Anfal Operations' decision had been taken?"

    The convict responded: The big plans correlated to big operations are prepared by appropriate parties within Chief of Army Staff, specifically at the Operation Directorate headed by Chief of Army Staff's Deputy for Operations at the time, Convict Husayn Rashid, to be approved by the Commander of Armed Forces General Command for requiring, sometimes, a huge forces deployment considering that Al-Anfal is one of the biggest operations. Hence, I believe that Al Anfal had been approved by the Commander of Armed Forces General Command.

    He testified as well before Chief of Investigative Judges about GMID role in Al-Anfal Operations. Convict said "our role was delivering Intel info in addition to suggestions relied on our secret sources". When he was questioned "Did you, as being Intelligence Director and directorate's higher official, referred any suggestion regarding the use of special ammunition [chemical weapons] in the Northern Zone?".

    The convict answered: Concerning the signatures submitted to me, at the interrogation's start, by Chief of Investigative Judges, I admit that they are true but I don't remember referring suggestions regarding the use of special ammunition in the Northern Zone. When document issued by GMID, holding No 5809 dated 10 March 1987, addressed to Chief of Army Staff, had been showed to him, he admitted his signature and pointed his deputies' including Deputy Wafiq 'Ajil Al-Samarra'i. The document contained an elaboration over the possibility of using special ammunition, as well as prior strikes which had very limited effects.

    When he was shown document issued by Presidency of the Republic - Secretary, holding No 808, dated 13 March 1987, containing "may your directorate study, along with experts, the possibility of directing unpredictable strikes with special ammunition, to be carried out via Air Force, Army Aviation, or artillery". The convict testified affirmatively: "The signature at the bottom of the document is mine, but I do not remember presenting such suggestion". The defendant admitted as well, in front of the chief judge that document No 6414, issued by his Military Intelligence Directorate on 18 March 1987, is issued by his directorate and holding his signature.

    Vis-a-vis a question by Chief of Investigative Judges "You submitted another suggestion on 25 March 1987, telling that special ammunition's usage over Northern area, and the possibility of its implementation or delay as per listed articles scanned in front of you and holding your signature.

    The defendant answered: ((I repeat my previous answer by confirming that the signature is mine, acknowledging that by being a general director, I represent the whole directorate, meaning these suggestions are the directorate's, reflecting it, and me as being the higher official within this directorate, I approve these suggestions. If there is any objection I reconsider the objection, analyze it and refer the issue to higher authorities. Signing on any letter means my approval on it".

    When he was shown document No 7371, addressed to Chief of Army Staff, regarding notifying it about Presidency of the Republic's approval on suggestions referred by GMID, regarding type of special ammunition that must be exploited and the mechanism of raids and targets.

    The defendant answered: ((I repeat my answer that the signature on the scanned document is mine)). Still, he denied in front of Chief of Investigative Judges giving any suggestions resulted to murdering civil inhabitants. He testified in front of Chief of Investigative Judges that he doesn't remember whether Al Anfal Operations had been discussed as a large scaled military operation, in Armed Forces General Command, before being carried out, or not acknowledging that such big-sized operations can't be implemented unless approved by Commander of Armed Forces General Commander, who was Convict Saddam Hussein.

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn testified that Armed Forces General Command's members jurisdictions is limited to attend meetings and discuss important matters related to Armed Forces.

    The convict answered when questioned by Chief of Investigative Judges about individuals' fates, those who were arrested during Al-Anfal operations: ((Our duty as Intelligence was to handle military captives. As for Al-Anfal Operations, Northern and Eastern Zones Intelligence Systems were directly responsible for arresting people. I don't remember any person relocated to Baghdad due to the fact that the aforementioned intelligence systems were correlated to Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, where they used to hand those families or individuals to Northern Affairs Committee - Secretary, where Convict Tahir Tawfiq Yusif was a member. The aforementioned committee was directly commanded by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    The defendant answered when questioned by Chief of Investigative Judges about the many times chemical weapons were exploited throughout Al-Anfal Operations: ((I do not remember the number of strikes, though I do remember one village which is still stuck in my memory, when the Kurds veered toward Turkish areas, as I feared such raid could have consequences on Turkish territories. However, I don't know the type of gas used as this is none of our expertise.

    When asked about who gave orders to use chemical weapons? He answered: These weapons are considered as strategic weapons. Only the armed forces commander or his deputy has the authority to issue orders of exploitation. At the time, he was (Saddam Hussein). When he was shown the document issued by Military Intelligence Directorate, numbered 8859, dated 30 April 1988, and addressed to Presidency of the Republic- The Secretary, regarding the use of special ammunitions in Al-Anfal Operations, he answered: The signature is mine as the proven documents are the same to those we use while corresponding with higher authorities.

    He testified as well, when asked by Chief of Investigative Judges about individuals' fates, those who were arrested by Army units. He answered: we did not inquire the officer (Director) of Eastern and Northern Zones Intelligence Systems about the fate of those detained people, as he did not provide lists of their names considering that the issue in none of our concern, acknowledging that both intelligence systems received direct orders from 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. Therefore, Southern and Eastern Intelligence Systems Officer, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and other systems were responsible for those internees.

    ((Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn Al-Duri Testimony at Court))

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Husayn Al-Duri testified in court that Intelligence had two main duties. The first is to provide the army, in particular the Chief of Army Staff, with information concerning enemy movements in all sectors. The second is to provide the military commanders with military operations' results.

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri testified an elaboration to court that all plans prepared by the Corps or any other parties, depend on the information gathered by Intelligence. When the Intelligence provides information, it does that when necessity calls. He testified that Intelligence's mission is to collect information, particularly military information relevant to enemies, possible foes, and sometimes other, by precaution facing any emergencies.

    In addition, Convict Sabir Al-Duri testified that Intelligence operated for seven years, supplying the Crops with information, and was invested upon due to the data base passed over by Military Intelligence. In case of upgrade, the latter supply accurate information to them.

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri testified that Intelligence System notifies Ministry of Defense and Chief of Army Staff as well as submitting a copy of intelligence reports to Presidency of the Republic.

    The convict continued that the dislocation of inhabitants from villages was not carried out by Intelligence, rather by military units, as per orders issued to them by their new reference 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, handing detained villagers to the Security directorates in the north or Northern Organization Office. Moreover, he revealed to court that Presidency of the Republic's secretary was at the time Hamid Yusif Hammadi.

    The convict also testified that Intelligence's duties are to provide grid coordinate on maps when defined targets are to be stroke by Air Force or whenever troops wanted to hit with artillery. Hence, when Intelligence representative attend the committee, he do not make a difference or influence decisions for the information had been already delivered.

    He testified as well that those in charge of implementation [executing strikes] are: Air force, Army aviation and artillery. Those are affiliated to Ministry of Defense and Chief of Army Staff, whereas the chemical classification is correlated to Chief of Army Staff Training Department.

    He testified to court ... (It is a study. This is the highest reference in government. And, in a state of war, I mean he did not order me to carry a mortar or use chemical weapons. He asked me to prepare a study, while an officer affiliated to the 3rd Section contributed, with them, in this study . Does any soldier, in state of war, argue military orders while the commander has the authority to do that?)

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri testified that . Actually, the appropriated committee held a meeting putting down a study, proposing its opinion which was lifted by Intelligence in its letter No. 6885, dated 15 March 1987, where strike's targets had been identified against enemy's gathering centers. The aforementioned targets were marked by Chief of Army Staff as per Intelligence submitted, including details over enemy's locations, size and grouping. The convict testified that Intelligence did not take part in special ammunitions' usage, other than an administrative mediator assigned to submit study results to Presidency of the Republic as well as to pass the highest reference's orders, under his supervision, regarding the issue [special ammunitions' usage]. This role is none but coordination status and link only. The convict testified that . The study, which was assigned to Intelligence, as well as all other documents, is not archived in the Military Intelligence archives, rather at Chief of Army Staff and Planning Directorates Only an Intelligence representative is in the appropriated committee as only a representative is to be sent.

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri mentioned to court that, as execution to of Ministry of Defense order, Army Staff's chairmanship required, as per its secret and urgent letter No. 15787 on 02 May 1987, the intelligence to provide information regarding enemy's headquarters whereabouts, telling Air force to carry out the mission.

    The Court asked the convict: ((You say in this letter, "our duty is to provide Air Force and Air Defense with headquarters (T.C: The concentration of the enemy) whereabouts. You mean its your [as individual] duty. He answered: ((Of course this is our duty. I mean, you Excellency Chief of Investigative Judges, is it possible to tell them we do not provide you, you are going to strike with special ammunition so we do not want to be involved. Orders will be issued and people will implement.))

    The convict testified to court that GMID responded, as per its letter No. 9819, on 03 May 1987, the Chief of Army Staff, that it [GMID] provided Air force and Air defense Commands with information about hostile headquarters, asking to be handled with conventional ammunitions, without identifying targets to be treated with special ammunitions. The GMID suggested an analysis of these targets by the specialized committee. For the Court's question "Do these numbers (mentioned in document 9819) means "Squaring". He answered: Yes, "Squaring" means precise targets.

    When Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri was asked by Court "Does the Intelligence gathers information and provides it to Army? The convict answered affirmatively. He mentioned as well, in front of court, that Sargalu and Bargalu areas were targeted with conventional ammunitions, rather than special ammunitions.

    The convict testified when asked by Chief of Investigative Judges judge about the period he stayed as GMID director. He answered: The period from May 1986 until 1991 March 3.

    By another court's question: Is GMID Director a member Armed Forces General Command? The convict answered: yes, as being a GMID director, I was member in Armed Forces General Command.

    He testified to court: We provide information concerning all fronts, including Northern zone. However, during Al-Anfal, we submitted the first important report. This was what we submitted, when new incidents occur we lift them from al fronts including Northern zone to appropriated authorities.

    He testified as well: We write down suggestions to Chief of the Army Staff and other references higher than Chief of Army Staff, including Armed Force General Command, Presidency of the Republic's Secretary, Ministry of Defense ... These are the followed procedures while submitting a report.

    When Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri was asked by court: You stated in front of Chief of Investigative Judges that large scaled military operations such as Al-Anfal cannot be initiated unless approved by General Commander of Armed Forces or another directly authorized by the latter. We, as general command members, our jurisdictions are limited to attend meetings and discuss some issues while the final decision is that of the General Commander of Armed Forces.

    The convict answered: Yes, the General Commander of Armed Forces has the authority to make decisions, but not necessary after a general command's meeting, maybe he gives his approval by mail and it will be submitted. I remember a number of plans which were discussed in Armed Forces General Command's meetings, such as Al-Faw Liberation operations. We discussed it for days but Al-Anfal Operations were not discussed at all.

    The convict Sabir Al-Duri testified to court: The intelligence actually lifted a report concerning the advantages and disadvantages of Al-Anfal Operations, as well as casualties. This report was submitted to the Presidency of the Republic.

    When the convict was shown document No. 6885, on 25 March 1987, issued by Military Intelligence Directorate, the court asked him whether the signature on the bottom of the document is his or not? The convict answered: I cannot remember, though this is my signature. It might be counterfeited but me, when I discussed any report, I assumed its originality.

    The convict admitted to court that the handwritten note on the original document No. 6885, dated 25 March 1987, which was issued by GMID regarding special ammunition's usage, belongs to him.

    When asked by Chief of Investigative Judges: Does this handwritten note belong to you? He answered: yes, I assume that these documents are not counterfeited. Via a question from court to Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri . The minister's ordered to provide Air Defense and Air Force with hostile agents' locations to be destroyed. He answered: Yes, they usually provide us with information and in return, the intelligence provides the Air force with information on the targets that are going to be bombarded using conventional weapons.

    The court asked the convict: as being an officer, I want to expose Ministry of Defense - Air force Command's letter to GMID, titled "In reference to your letter No. (M)/( O)3/( S)2/10319 on 10 May 1987", regarding Iranian agents' headquarters, which had been defined by your representative Staff Lieutenant Colonel Walid Nayif and was attacked and documented by date and the type of ammunition. This illustrates that there is cooperation between the intelligence and the Air force Command. Did the Intelligence representative act on his own, although you assigned him? He answered that: these are routine tasks, as for this letter's procedures, it is part . of the chain of command that I am trying to explain. The Minister of Defense issued orders as to initiate an attack and the Army Chief of Staff gave his orders to pass information to Air Force Command; they ordered to strike when getting the information. And now, if anyone was standing in my shoes, as a Director of Intelligence, even though it is a red-tape operation, would have acted the same way. Is there any Intelligence Director, in state of war, who would object passing on information, fearing to be a contributor? I am a contributor then, and did my duty as per right military procedures.

    Convict Sabir Al-Duri testified: The Intelligence is the one to give information and they act. When the Minister of Defense gives his orders to us requesting to pass on information, we have to do it because this is our job.

    The Chief of Investigative Judges asked Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri: Is the Intelligence considered part of the experts committee? In other words, does the Intelligence have representative in the committee? He answered: Of course, there is a representative from the 3rd Section. The intelligence contributes to all committees because we are in charge of passing on information.

    The Court asked Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri: Which parties are in charge of chemical weapon? He answered: There are people who analyze the case which are plan [Planning Directorate], others who execute and are Air forces and Army aviation, and thirds who produce and warehouse such as Military Industrialization Commission. This information can be found in the documents.

    Commenting this saying, the court asked convict: What was Military Intelligence role in this operation? He answered: The intelligence role is limited to gathering, so that when being asked about enemy and its whereabouts, it can answer back.

    Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri testified that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was in charge of framing military captives' fates, as he repeated that no prisoner was handed . To Baghdad and I add that, after my arrest I knew from a group of army commanders including (Sultan), that not a single soldier was captured. On the contrary, fifty seven families were transferred to the Intelligence System, who transferred them to the Northern Affairs Committee. They were handed over to the security not to the Intelligence System.

    The defendant Husayn Rashid stated in front of the Judge: In 1987, I was assigned as the deputy of Chief of Army Staff for Operations Affairs. At that time, I was a Staff Lieutenant General. In September 1990, I was promoted to the Chief of Army Staff. I worked for the Operation Affairs from 1987 until September 1990.

    He stated that the chief of Army Staff at that time was Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji, who had four deputies. I was one of them. The three others were, the Administrative deputy, Training deputy and Logistics' deputy.

    He was asked by the Judge: With regard to the fact that you were the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for Operations Affairs, were you a member in the General Command of Armed Forces? He answered: Yes, I was the deputy of Chief of Army Staff and I was a member in the General Command of Armed Forces.

    He stated that the Department of Operations is one of four departments, which work for the Chief of Army Staff. The Operations Department follows-up and implements the orders of the Chief of Army Staff. The Chief of Army Staff orders will be implemented if they are within his area of responsibilities. The accused added in front of the investigating Judge I would like to emphasize a very important subject regarding the Department of Operations. The Department of Operations prepares plans to confront regular armies not civilians or sabotage operations, and planning is only based on an Intelligence report to the Chiefs of Army Staff by GMID. Any threatened Corps is requested to submit a plan to Chief of Army Staff which in turn refers it to Department of Operations, in order to be revised and determine the type of support, guided by the need requested by appropriated corps, and the Directorate of Planning will be assigned to respond.

    The convict stated that the Directorates affiliated to Directorate of Operations are those of Planning, Mobilization, Armament and Supple, Cadastre, Signal, and Organization. The convict testified that if a Corps was in needs to redeploy a Division from a sector to another sector, and after analyzing the status in the given sector and taking the advice of Military Intelligence, as the latter representative is available, the order will be issued to deploy military troops. I would like to indicate that Chief of Army Staff jurisdiction is to deploy one brigade, if more than the order should be lift to Minister of Defense, as to deploy division or more, General Commander of Armed Forces must be called. Sometimes, in order to save time, the Directorate of Planning and other directorates send representatives to appropriated Corps to study the needs and plans in the headquarter and then refer them to Chief of Army Staff.

    The Convict testified: The Directorate of Operations is responsible of implementing and following up the orders issued by related authorities regarding the deployment of any military unit, on behalf of any party. The Directorate of Operations, which is a subsidiary directorate, gives a detailed report to the Department of Operations. We also notify the Chief of Armed Staff.

    The convict testified that Chief of Army Staffs Deputy for Operations attends Armed Forces General Command's meetings, giving technical opinion, advice and consultation to the Chief of Army Staff, who has jurisdictions to implement orders. Despite, the Chief of Army Staff doesn't issue orders related to military operations unless we submit our study, which might be approved or rejected, depending on available status at Operations Directorate. I other words, any order issued by Chief of Army Staff or General Commander of Armed Forces, as per jurisdictions, should be prioritized by Operations Directorate.

    When asked by Chief of Investigative Judges: as being Chief of Army Staffs Deputy, from 1987 until 1990, and Al-Anfal Operations occurred in 1988, tell me about Al-Anfal Operations preplans and who ordered? He answered: The First Corps prepared the study, following usual procedures, as the Chief of Army Staff (Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji at the time) referred the study to Operations Directorate. We, in turn, submitted the study to our aforementioned directorate in order to give our technical and military expertise regarding the availability of human and military resources. We submitted our study and comments to the Chief of Army Staff but the military operation's scale was bigger than jurisdictions granted to the Chief of Army Staff. Hence, the case was referred to Ministry of Defense, but since it was the General Commander of Armed Forces' jurisdictions who was at the time Convict Saddam Hussein it was lifted to him. The General Command of Armed Forces did not hold a meeting to discuss Al-Anfal Plan. The General Commander of Armed Forces approved the plan. He testified that in that time headquarters was established for al-Anfal Operation. Orders were given to Convict Sultan Hashim, Sixth Corps' commander at the time, to form the aforementioned headquarters and lead the operations. Indeed, this was what happened. The convict stated in front of Chief of Investigative Judges, as per 2nd Anfal Operation, that Operations Directorate sent a representative to the 1st Corps in order to fully study the plan. The representative of operations returns to the directorate before giving his military expertise. After the study was completed, it was submitted to Chief of Army Staff and General Commander of Armed Forces. No meeting was held ... The General Command of the Armed Forces or study the plan, but the approval was issued to carry out and it's actually carried out by the assigned headquarter that was leaded by the accused (Ayad Khalil Zaki).

    When the investigation judge questioned the accused what is the meaning of using the special amammunitions or special strikes? The accused answered saying: According to the military terms, the special amammunitions are the chemical weapons and the special strikes are the attacks by using the chemical weapons.

    In addition, the accused added that the chemical weapons are not allowed to be in use unless the president issued an order to use it because such weapons are considered as strategic weapons.

    The investigation judge addresses his speech to the accused "you mentioned that Anfal operations attacked the Armed Forces and Kurdish fighters, while the witnesses reported that no Iranian troops were existed and the operations targeted villages populated with civilians". The accused answered, "I would like to clarify before the tribunal that the department of operations prepares its report and study regarding Anfal based on the intelligence report that was submitted by Chief of Army Staff and we gave our opinion on that in details.

    The accused also stated that the Iranian Forces started withdrawal in July 1988 and no one left behind, but the presence in the Kurdish area was for the armed individuals around the mountains, however the last operation of Anfal started on 1988 August 28 and continued until 1988 September 6 to get rid of the sabotage.

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "according to the letter number 1122 dated 1988 August 21 that was addressed to the 1st Corps and the 5th Corps that was referring to the conference held in the 1st Corps and was signed by you dated 1988 August 20, in which the first paragraph indicates that (defining the population concentrations in the 5th Corps Sector, and to be treated by intensive special strikes 48 hours prior to the implementation to create panic among them and prevent them from collaborating with the saboteurs, and to observe their movements in the area (S). The accused answered, "I confess with the conference held on 1988 August 20 and with all the included instructions in the paragraph number (2) about the coordination with the Turkish side according to the Cooperation Protocol that was signed with them particularly by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, except for clause (1) that was talking about intensive special strikes which never exist and it was not discussed at all.

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "who was the military, Party and security supreme leader in the Northern Zone?" the accused answered, "according to the decree number (160), Ali Hasan Al-Majid is the Head of the Northern Organization Office who was given all authorizes of the president of the Republic. Consequently, the military forces in the area were under his command and obeyed his orders because he was the supreme leader in the area.

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "who issued the orders to destroy the villages, knowing that most of the villages were not border ones?" He answered if there are military necessities to destroy the villages, the orders will be issued by Chief of Army Staff, or Minister of Defense, or the supreme leader of the Kurdish Northern Zone (the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid).

    Furthermore, the accused stated to the investigation judge, "after the end of the Iraq- Iran war, Minister of Defense ('Adnan Khayrallah) ordered to destroy the rest of villages during his visit, the accused Chief of Army Staff (Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji then ordered the 1st and 5th Corps to destroy all the villages and the houses of each village. However, the army was destroying the villages during the Anfal operations which were the Corps Commander's authority".

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "you mentioned in the clause number (2) of the special plan of the last Anfal operations to use the extreme cruelty against the saboteurs and their collaborators. what you meant by the saboteurs and their collaborators, knowing that, you were playing a part in laying down this plan with the accused Nazar Al-Khazraji"? He answered that this order was issued by the Chief of Army Staff at that time, Nazar Al-Khazraji. In regards to the saboteurs, it means anyone who lifts arm against the state, or the collaborators who are related to the saboteur's family, his relatives or his village. However, this matter is not right and it is against the law, but we could not object this order according to the military procedure".

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "were you attending all special meetings that related to discussing Anfal operations with the accused Nazar Al-Khazraji and the field commanders, whereas you gave suggestions about the military plan starting with the first Anfal operations in February until September 1988? Moreover, is there any illegal orders were issued without legal justification? He answered yes, I was attending and fully playing my role in giving suggestions and opinions, but I couldn't disobey any order that was issued by the accused Nazar Al-Kazraji even if it was a violation of the law, and most of the villages were destroyed against the law?

    The investigation judge questioned the accused "who was in charge and the first responsible for all crimes that were committed in Al-Anfal, and did you issue orders for crimes during Anfal operations (murdering, destroying villages, killing the families after being relocated)?" He answered " the first responsible was the accused Saddam Hussein because he was President of the Republic and the General Commander of the Armed Forces, and he issued orders to carry out those operations. The orders were also issued by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid because he was a second responsible, in addition to other orders issued by the accused Chief of Army Staff Nazar Al-Khazraji about what happened in the Northern Zone, even the orders that were issued by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, were put out during or after the implementation and I don't have power to issue such orders to the authorities who carried the implementation.

    (The Statement of the accused Husayn Muhammad Rashid before the tribunal)

    The tribunal questioned the accused Husayn Rashid "what was the position that you occupied during (1987- 1988)"? He answered, "I was the deputy of Chief of Army Staff for Operations since July 1987 until September 1990".

    The tribunal questioned the accused "From 1987 March 29 till July 1987, what was your position?" He answered "during 1987 March 29 until July I was assigned as Chief of Army Staff, I was the Commander of the Republican Guards Forces, while the Chief of Army Staff at that time was Lieutenant General (Nazar Al-Khazraji)".

    In another question directed to the accused, were you the only deputy of Chief of Army Staff or were there other deputies? He answered, the Chief of Army Staff had four deputies and I was one of them where I was occupying the position of Chief of Army Staff for operations from 1987 to 1988.

    The tribunal questioned the accused (Husayn Rashid Muhammad) "what does the General Command of the Armed Forces mean? What are the authorities and the roles of this command? Who were the members of this command during 1987- 1988, and were you a member?" He answered "the General Command of the Armed Forces was formed after Iraq -Iran war and it was the middle headquarters between the Ministry of Defense and the General Commander of the Armed Forces (President of the Republic). Moreover, this command had no authorities but to discuss matters related to the war and the big operations with the General Commander of the Armed Forces in case of any war occurrence, in order to ask his opinion or his decision and he reviews the suggestions of commanders of the Naval, Air and Army Aviation Commander".

    He also stated before the tribunal, that the members of the Armed Command during 19871988 are the General Commander of the Armed Forces, the accused (Saddam Hussein) and the Deputy of the General Commander (Minister of Defense) ('Adnan Khayrallah), Chief of Army Staff (Nazar Al-Khazraji), the four deputies of Chief of Army Staff, Military Intelligence Director (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri), Air Force Commander (Hamid Sha'ban), Aviation Commander (Al-Hakam Hasan 'Ali), Air Force Commander (Gha'ib Hassun), General Command Secretary ('Ala' Kazim Al-Janabi), and I was Deputy of Chief of Army Staff for Operations".

    The tribunal questioned the convict "what are the authorities of the General Commander of the Armed Forces that he had?

    He answered, "There are many cases are to be discussed in the general command and is to be submitted to the general commander, however the secretary combine these all cases and topics then he invites the command members for a meeting and introduces these topics in attendance of the General Command of the Armed Forces who makes the decision". The tribunal questioned the convict "what was your role in the meetings of the General Command of the Armed Forces?

    He answered "if there was a time to speak I did, because my position is complementing with the position of Chief of Army Staff, while he recognizes my role more than other deputies and sometimes he issues orders then he discusses with me".

    The tribunal questioned the convict "as long as the a decision was made by Chief of Army Staff or by the General Commander of the Armed Forces, is it a must to be preceded with an opinion from the Operations Department?"

    He answered, "Yes it is, and if the Chief of Army Staff submits a prepared study by a Corps Commander to me, and the chief asked me about the sources I just give my opinion". The tribunal questioned the convict "if corps commander requests for military supplies in order to be prepared for a specific attack and he needs a plan, in this case do you discuss it with the Chief of Army staff?"

    He answered, "The corps commander refers to the Chief of Army Staff, and the chief of Army Staff refers to the operations department before taking a decision if these supplies are available or not".

    The tribunal questioned the convict Husayn Rashid "you mentioned to the investigation judge that the operations department is related to the Chief of Army Staff and receives the orders from him, and then this department carries out these orders, that means that this department were assigned to carry out the orders after coordinating with the corps, is this true? In addition, how they could coordinate and carry out operations"? He answered, "The corps reports the status while the deputy of operations holds the device. There are special directorates for planning and it has the same tasks of operations department, they follow and arrange the movements of troops then they locate that on maps and finally they discuss any study with planning department. However, the deputy of operations does not address to the corps, at the same time, the corps does not address to the deputy, and the daily status was to be sent to the operations departments".

    The tribunal questioned the convict Husayn Rashid "how many directorates are related to the operations department of the Chief of Army Staff?

    He answered, "Six directorates, which are (Planning, Operations, Arming and Supplying, Organizing, Communications, and Survey)"

    The tribunal questioned the convict "what are the tasks of the directorate of planning?" He answered, "The planning directorate has an operation room provided with maps, and this room contains all the assignment of troops, in addition to records for all the troops' arrangements around Iraq.

    Moreover, the discussions were executed within this room especially when we receive a study from the Chief of Army Staff or from Corps about availability of human and physical resources".

    The tribunal questioned the convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad "If the Chief of Army Staff requests the Planning Directorate to put a military plan, does the Planning Directorate abide by the request?"

    He answered, "The Chief of Army Staff has the power to issue orders for any unit even it was related to discussing corps' study".

    As he reported before the tribunal (...) "when I mention (participate) during my report, it means when the study is received by the planning directorate and it gives the opinion about the availability of sources, so this is the meaning of (participation)".

    The tribunal questioned the convict "if the military plans issued by the corps, does it go by the Chief of Army Staff then go by the planning and operations directorates"? He answered, "Yes it does, and the planning directorate notes down the technical opinion, and then submits the military plans to Chief of Army Staff, which puts forward these plans to the Presidential Diwan".

    The tribunal questioned the convict "who does undertake carrying out the order that issued by the Chief of Army Staff to assign brigades or divisions to take locations"? He answered "The operations".

    The convict added to the tribunal, "Following up the force operations means what time the operation started and where is the location to be informed with locations of the forces. After that, the status report comes and includes the brigades' commands; however, this status is to be circulated on all the departments that belong to the Ministry of Defense and not only the operations department".

    The tribunal questioned the convict "what are the assignments of Arming and Supplies Directorate?"

    He answered, "To be aware of the army's requirements such as importing the required war equipment and submitting a request to the Chief of Army Staff then to the Ministry of Defense to sign contracts with the suppliers. Finally, when the equipment is received, it was put in the Supply and Ordnance Storages".

    He also reported before the tribunal, "The Communication Directorate provides the connections via wireless devices".

    The tribunal questioned the accused "Did you study the plan during Anfal operations that was put by the 1st Corps"? He answered, "Yes, we did, and then we sent the study back to the Chief of Army Staff and after three or four days he got the approval and the corps was informed with that.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Was the plan of the 1st Anfal operation organized by the 1st Corps and was handed over to you later?

    He answered: the Chief of Staff handed it over and we gave our technical opinion as usual. The tribunal questioning the convict: It is not possible to transfer any military unit from one place to another if the Operation Directorate is not aware of it? He answered: of course they have to be informed because they have to know the status.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Did the Chief of Staff tell you that the approval on Anfal operation was given?

    He answered: a letter came to the Corps and a copy of it went to the Operation saying that the approval has been given.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Did the Operation have an opinion upon Anfal operation before the decision of the Chief of Staff and the general Commander was issued? He answered: Definitely I mentioned that any study of Chief of Staff of the Army cannot be presented to the Ministry of Defense Office unless the Operation Directorate is sure of his sources, and it is always according to the chain of administration.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Was the study of the 1st Anfal operation and that was laid down by the 1st Corps Commander sent to the Chief of Army Staff then it was presented to the Operation Directorate where it was studied and sent back to the 1st Corps? He answered: Yes.

    The convict also stated before Tribunal: We received Anfal operation study and we gave our remarks on the Human and financial sources but afterwards, it was sent according to the chain of administration.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Did the Operation Directorate provide the assigned Headquarter with maps? He answered: The Administrative Officer is handed document No. (102) and leaves. The Land survey Department is interrelated to me.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: When military units are being transferred to join the assigned Headquarter shouldn't they pass through the Operation Directorate?

    He answered: Yes if the transfer is from different sectors the Operation takes control of the transfer.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Who was the Commander of the assigned Headquarter?

    He answered: He is the Lieutenant General Sultan Hashim Ahmad for the 1st and 2nd Anfal operations.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: You mentioned in your testimony before the Judge that you sent a representative to the 1st Corps regarding the 2nd Anfal operation at the beginning of the operation to study it completely, and it is normal that the operation representative comes back to the Directorate before giving his military opinion, so after the study on the operation was completed, it was presented to the Chief of Army Staff and to the general Commander and the order was given to execute, so it was executed in the assigned Headquarter?

    He answered: This is an assigned Headquarter, and to save time, Lieutenant General Ayad Khalil Zaki asked me as well to send a representative if he has an opinion regarding if there are sources or not, and that representative was from the Planning Directorate who had the maps and documents of the sources.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: There is the letter No (1182) on the 28th of August 1988, issued from the Chief of Army Staff, addressed to the 1st and 5th Corps, and its subject is directions of removing all villages and houses within them, so is the status achieved by razing houses, removing villages and deporting citizens? Where a copy of this letter was sent to you?

    He answered: a copy of the letter was delivered to me to adjust and fix some of the military matters and maps.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Does the Operation Directorate know about the Divisions and their locations and positions in the Anfal operation?

    He answered: Yes.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: Were you at Kirkuk Conference on the 20th of August 1988?

    He answered: I usually attend all conferences with Chief of Army Staff especially the ones in Kirkuk, and I remember once that the minister of Defense was in one of them, but this date I cannot recall.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: There is a document issued by Chief of Army Staff No. 349 on the 27th of April 1988, addressed to 1st and 5th Corps, and the subject is directions of Kirkuk conference that was held on the 27th of April 1988 that includes:

    1. About the direction of the administrative work.

    2. Tactics of the coming work and it explains that during a period of July we have to defend in the northern area continuing limited attacks against targets of a tactical value.

    3. The execution of the 4th Anfal that pertains to (Shuwan) according to the suggested plan that was discussed in the Planning Directorate and after that the Anfal operation within the 5th corps sector will start.

    4. Using the special ammunitions against the enemy's gatherings whether by air force or artillery and strike their locations with special ammunitions.

    A copy of this letter was sent to the Operation Directorate, were you aware of this subject? And did you discuss theses issues in Kirkuk?

    He answered: We have discussed everything but the special ammunitions.

    The tribunal questioning the convict: (Husayn Rashid Muhammad) you were close to the Chief of Army Staff at that time, do you deny that the army at that time did not use the special ammunitions?

    He answered: there are documents signed by the Minister of Defense that say proves it, how can I deny that?

    The tribunal asks the accused: According to documents and testimonies of the ones who lodged a complaint it was clear that there were destruction villages and deportation of people?

    He answered: the Accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid).

    The tribunal asks the convict: which was the Directorate that was responsible of marking the villages? He answered: the marking, the map updates and sectors as comes from the Planning Directorate, when they print a map to the army they write the removed villages and towns. And the Planning Department is interrelated to the Operation Department.

    The tribunal asks the convict: there is a daily status report that is sent every morning by the Commander of the Corps, to whom is it addressed to? He answered: to the Operation Directorate.

    The tribunal asks the convict: It has been mentioned before the investigation judge in your testimonies during the investigation (if there was an order whether it is legal or illegal, we had to obey it)?

    He answered: Yes even if it was antitrust laws we could not complain we are soldiers.

    The tribunal asks the convict: Is the order given to the Operation as well? He answers: The execution is our job they just give us the status reports for example: they say destroy villages and say that they have destroyed this and this village, and then they record it with the status of the troops.

    The tribunal asks the convict: did you attend all the meetings that pertain to Anfal? He answered: yes.

    The tribunal asks the convict: Does your role start from here? He answered: If Chief of Army Staff is not present, in this case I should be present, but this is not the point because while I was attending the meetings and an order was issued even it was antitrust laws; I could not disobey this order, however, this matter is not related to my department, but if it was, of course I would have discussed it.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: what is your opinion regarding Anfal operation, did it go the way it was planned, did it achieve the goal and was it right?

    He answered: I have received orders from a higher reference with more legal authority and the subject is specified regarding my department, I believe that the order I received is legal, and Anfal operations have achieved their goals by driving the Iranian army out of Iraq along with the traitors and armed rebellions.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: Is it possible to execute Anfal operation without using the special ammunitions?

    He answered: The army is capable of doing every thing it has flexibility and it has alternatives.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: Is the Operations Directorate responsible of the army transportation considering it interrelated to Operation Department, and do you remember the orders that were issued regarding transferring troops and joined them with the 1st and 5th corps?

    He answered: the Chief of Army Staff is the one who gives orders regarding moving units, I remember that moving units took place but I cannot remember any of the divisions and who joined the 1st and 5th Corps and I don't know the number, and divisions (44) and (24) were transferred according to the documents.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: Did any enforcement of moving military units from other sectors to the 1st and 5th corps? He answered: Definitely it happened.

    The accused informed before the tribunal (...) Again I say, plans of Anfal Operations are available and it was studied, I did not say there were no studied plans, and the Operation Department assignments are based on the plan. However, I am not aware that the Northern Organization Office is issuing different orders and assigning duties to the troops, I am not aware of the plan or the study that includes the operations, and according to that I noted down my technical opinion regarding the plan, and it was issued to the Corps but there are two courses; the military and the organizing course, there might have been a confusion from another side. The accused also informed before the tribunal .. ."I attend the summit as long as it pertains to operations, I might give my opinion or not, but who ever approaches of my directorates for an opinion I would give it.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: What was the role that the summit played?

    He answered: The summit is a is a military effort to help instruct the troops for example "I want you to be alert, the enemy is before your lines, what are your capabilities, or for example I require you to penetrate deep into enemy territory".

    The tribunal questioned the convict: What is the meaning of the special strikes?

    He answered: Well if he had said with special ammunition, it would have been clearer than special strikes, for they might be programmed, as in programmed strikes when the army fires (annoying fire) by hurling a round of artillery on enemy army.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: Was the Directorate of Land Survey responsible of supplying the army with maps?

    He answered: Yes, the army receives maps from us.

    The tribunal questioned the convict: the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Chief of Army Staff are two independent departments that means, when the Military Intelligence wants to issue a correspondence, so it sends directly to the Head of Army Staff. Is that correct?

    He answered: That is correct, for example: the Head of Army Staff requires that we cooperate with the corps as the accused Husayn Rashid reported that the Chief of Army Staff was issuing an order to the crops to study a plan, which means that he was coordinating between the corps and us, and this subject is related to Anfal,

    ((Testimony of accused Sultan Hashim Ahmad according to the investigation))

    The investigation judge questioned the convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) "What was the position you occupied in the years 1987 and 1988?" He answered: In the year 1987, I was the commander of the 6th Corps in Maysan Governorate, and in year 1988 in February, I was summoned to the Armed Forces General Command, where I met the Chief of Army Staff (Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji) back then and he told me that I was assigned for the position of Anfal Operations Commander in addition to my duties, as he informed me after that of the mission assigned to me and asked me to head to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate in the north, where he put under my command three divisions: 33rd and 4th divisions, in addition to another force called: 1st Legion [T.C: Regrouped with (Jahfal)] Command it is a big number of division that are in Command of the National Defense regiments composed of Kurds, where a location was set for me along with a number of officers of the staff as I was informed to reorganize the forces, re-equip and train them according to the nature of the location, weather and duty, where the mission that was assigned to me was force out the saboteurs (all those who take arms against the Government that are both of our own Kurdish people and Khumayni Guards).

    The area north-east Al-Sulaymaniyyah which is east of Pira Magrun that has the following villages: (Bargalu, Sargalu, Haladan, Chukhmakh) and other villages in the direction of the borders with Iran.

    The investigation judge questioned the convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) "what was your role in the 1st Anfal operation and the other operations? Answer us in details". He answered: I would like to make clear some of the points that may help the investigation, one of the things that I would like to point out is the Regiments of National Defense, and those Regiments were formed and named in the days of the former Government and it stayed on its name as Regiments of National Defense in the year 1980 and was (200) Regiments, each Regiment consists of (300) up to (5,000) soldiers as they were supervised by their tribal Chief , but they military commanded by the corps they were joined with, where it was divided for two sectors, Al-Sulaymaniyyah sector.

    It's called the Command of the First Light Legion which is considered on the level of the Division Command and the Command of the 5th Light Legion which considered on the level of the Division Command in (Irbil) Sector and Duhuk.

    There is a matter I would like to clarify as a background of some issues which is as follows:

    In 1978, I was working as a regiment commander in (Pinjwin) Area and my military rank was Staff Lieutenant Colonel.

    And in that time the government deported the inhabitants of the villages along the borders line at Al-Sulaymaniyyah and the areas beyond the Iranian borders and they were gathered at complexes I added that the military declarations and orders were issued directly by the Chief of Army Staff; whereas the approval of the followed military plans is issued either by the Chief of Army Staff, specifically by the Operation Department in case the plan is related to military operations through the directorates of Operation and Planning where the General Husayn Rashid is the Deputy Chief of Army Staff.

    All the plans regardless if it was prepared by the interested corps or the Operation Directorate were not executed before the negotiation between the departments and an order by the Chief of Army Staff is to be issued before. These are the procedures used that time.

    The convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) reported before the investigation judge that all the details of these operations including Anfal were registered by reports and recorded and analyzed by the Military Movements and Planning Directorate, the Operations Directorate and the interested corps.

    I would like to clarify generally the fact of Anfal Operations which was started by the end of February 1988 and ended by Anfal final operation in 23 August 1988.

    Some of these operations executed as a special mission by a command that was prepared for a special mission and that was the 1st and 2nd Anfal Operations.

    Other operations were executed by the 1st and 5th Corps or the 1st and 2nd Corps or by one corps such as Anfal first Operation which was called the First after they wanted to execute the 2nd operation.

    I was assigned by the Chief of Army Staff and I was called immediately at the mid of January and I meet by.

    The Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff Deputy the General Husayn Rashid and he gave me a summary on this operation which was prepared earlier by the 1st Corps and the Operation Department.

    The Chief of the Army Staff asked me to receive the operation's file and to move immediately to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Area and to establish a command. For this operation they put the 4th Division and the 33rd Division under my commander along with the Command of the 1st Light Legion and between 70 and 80 National Defense Regiments.

    After two days I left to Al-Sulaymaniyyah as I was ordered to do.

    And the Chief of the Army Staff ordered me to study the military operation's file and to give my recommendations and my notes about it.

    The Chief of the Army Staff informed me that a staff officer was elected to organize headquarter for Anfal Operation and I was informed that the Chief of Army Staff deputies are supervising on the accomplishing the preparations and discussing the plan. The 4th and the 33rd Divisions were mobilized at (Susa) Area (Surdash) intersection and the Command of the 1st Light Legion was at (Dukan) Dam, while the 4th Division was mobilized at (Mawat) Area.

    A number of the National Defense Regiments were assigned under the commander of these divisions.

    The mission of these forces was located (10-15) Kilometers between Southeast Al-Sulaymaniyyah and left along to (Dukan) toward the Iranian depth.

    Mentioning that the center of the area and the operation was (Sargalu and Bargalu) Villages. After these sectors were brought to the area and trained for 15 days on the mountains war and increasing the physical capabilities of the fighters, we were informed that the execution of this operation must be at the 22nd or the 23r February 1988, while the snow was covering the mountains.

    I was assigned to this mission and it was the duty of the 5th Corps The fighting lasted for 20 days before occupying the mountains' tops to reach (Sargalu and Bargalu) Villages.

    Our forces reached to villages and we didn't find anyone in the area. After that we were assigned to open the roads for the area and that was after a month when the weather became better.

    The convict reported before the investigation judge that during that period between February and March, I didn't meet any official from the Northern Organization Office and I was only receiving or delivering orders between me and the Chief of the Army Staff and his Deputy. The convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad Al-Sayyid) also reported before the investigation judge: After I became the commander of the 1st Corps and after the execution of other Anfal Operations, the coordination between me and the Northern Organization Office was ruled by the order No. (4008) in 20 June 1987 and signed by the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) the Secretariat of the Northern Organization Office.

    The value of the coordination between me and the Office was about one subject which was that after occupying the villages which are aims of the Military Sectors of the 1st Corps. The residents of this area (Operation Area) will be moved by military vehicles. Mentioning that the ones who were in charge of this were militant and they took the residents to the Military Intelligence System in Kirkuk and after the organizing with the system they were moved to the Northern Organization Office and no one of the militant knows the fate of these people after being moved there.

    And I meant the females, kids and males along with there property, and I would like to mention that according to the order issued by the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) which was about dealing with the security restricted villages in case of finding any movement or appearance at that area and the military sectors are dealing with that movement directly by the fire shooting or by the gun shooting or by using the light weapon.

    And the order was clear and prohibiting the presence days or nights in the security prohibited area, mentioning that the orders authorized the execution of any arrested person from 15-70 years and the execution operations were not executed by the military forces.

    Mentioning that I don't have any contact with the security committees formed by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid but sometimes a representative from the Corps is requested, so an Internal Security Staff Officer or the Corps Intelligence Officer and in case of anything related to our work.

    They informed me to take the needed procedures.

    And regarding Anfal 2nd Operation, I was not assigned for it neither the 1st Corps because this corps was assigned to (Shimiran) Battle and the mission of Anfal 2nd Operation was including (Qara Dagh).

    And regarding the other Anfal Operations, all took place through the 1st Corps separately or by the support of the 2nd or the 5t Corps.

    Their duties were to expulse the saboteurs and purging the area and moving the persons and families from these security prohibited areas and delivered them to the Northern Organization Office through the Intelligence System and destroying their houses without any amount paid instead.

    Regarding Anfal Third Operation it was near (Qadir Karam) and ('Umar Bil) belongs to Kifri Sub District along to (Sankaw) area on the Iranian Borders.

    After execution of Anfal 5th and 6th Operations at the area between (Dukan, Kuysinjaq and Chamchamal) including (Cham Rizan) Village and the treatment in these villages was the same as before because it was considered as a security prohibited according to the government orders.

    Regarding Anfal Final Operation that took place at the end of August after the cease-fire and these operations were executed by the 1st and the 5th Corps and the maim aim of the 1st Corps at (Qal'at Diza) Area was to spread the government authority on the last part of the area and that was for political purposes.

    The mission was accomplished by destroying the houses and deporting the persons regardless the cease-fire.

    By a question from the investigation judge to the convict:

    Did the Air Force Command ask the command of the Corps the names of locations to be shelled?

    He answered:

    The Air Forces didn't ask but a support of the helicopters was requested in case the weather was good because they were attacking the mountains' views as a major target. By a question from the investigation judge, the convict (Sultan Hashim) was asked the following:

    As you occupied several positions, answer us about the methods of using the special ammunition and who was authorized for issuing the orders in using these ammunitions?

    He answered: I occupied many positions starting from an officer up to corps commander and the Deputy of the Chief of the Army Staff/Operations, then the Defense Minister and during that long period I don't know the authorized entity for using these special ammunitions and I didn't know that there are special weapons or ammunitions until the United Nation affiliates came.

    The Commands of the corps are receiving the orders from the Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff is receiving his orders from the Defense Minister or the General Command of the Armored Forces,

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    Is there any role for the General Military Intelligence Directorate in using the special ammunitions or any rule in Anfal Operations?

    He answered:

    The mission of this directorate is intelligence work and presenting information about everything related to the military operations and plans, also providing information on movements of the enemy and the land.

    All these information are presenting as intelligence reports to the Defense Minister or the Chief of Army Staff.

    We notice that the high importance information is to be referred to the General Command or the Defense Minister. These two persons are able to give suggestions but they are not the decision makers.

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    As you are the Commander of the 1st Corps and most the operations executed under your supervision, is there any information about the fate of these families or the place they were taken to?

    He answered:

    My responsibility was just to pass the orders then to transport the families and the kids of this area by vehicles to the Intelligence System then to the Northern Organization Office according to the orders of 'Ali Hasan al-Majid and we don't know anything about their fates after that

    The Northern Organization Office is directly responsible of dealing with these families in accordance with the privileges granted to the Office Secretary.

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    Mass graves were found at Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Al-Hadar Area at Al-Mawsil which include whole babies, males and females from The residents of Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate including (Sidar) Village, mentioning that these villages are included in Anfal Operations In despite of the attendance of the internal Security Staff Officer and the intelligence Officer, and these two are working under your supervision.

    Is it possible that they didn't know about these mass graves, is it possible that no one arranged with them regarding the graves?

    He answered:

    I don't know about these graves and I never heard about it.

    Mentioning that dealing with the families after delivering them to the Northern Organization Office is the responsibility of the office itself and no one of them informed me about these graves and I was hearing about it through the Kurdish broadcast and I never knew about it formally.

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    What were the orders issued to you regarding eliminating the villages and who issued these orders and how many villages you took action against?

    He answered:

    The orders were issued directly by the Chief of the Army Staff and this thing doesn't come in contradiction with the orders issued by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, which means that we execute any order received from the Chief or the Army Staff or from 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid

    And these orders were executed at the security prohibited areas which were including group of villages such as (Sarglu and Barglu, Haladan, Chukhmakh, and other villages)

    After receiving the orders we executed and after controlling the villages and in case of the present of civilians or families they were transferred by military vehicles to the Intelligence System of the Northern Area to be delivered to the Northern Organization Office and after that the Military Sectors Eliminate the village.

    The operations were assigned to my corps and under my supervision were limited between west (Sangaw and west Qadir Karam) along to Kifri Area.

    This operation was shared between the 1st Corps which was under my command and the 2nd Corps, while the other operation was limited between (Cham Rizan) along to (Sad Dukan) then to (Kuysinjaq) and this operation was under the supervision of the 1st Corps and under my command, mentioning that four divisions participated in this operation. While the final operation in September 1988, which was called (Khatimat Al-Anfal) Anfal Final Operation or Closure, which took place after the cease-fire between Iraq and Iran and this operation was including (Qal'at Diza) -Balisan) to the east, which was to inspect the borders line east (Qal'at Diza) and at that operation we didn't find civilians in the villages.

    While at the operations before we found civilians and we executed the order which was about transporting them by military vehicles to the Intelligence System of the Northern Zone in order to be received by the Northern Organization Office and this order was issued by the Northern Organization Office and the one who was in charge is ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) This was issued as instruction and spread over the corps and in my order I spread it to the divisions affiliated to it.

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    According to you, the orders issued for eliminating the villages and transporting the residents by military vehicles are legal or illegal?

    He answered:

    In case of war and when I receive a military order I don't think of it as legal or illegal because this order is issued from my higher source which I have to obey and I'm executing according to this or I 'm might be executing according to the military law.

    Question by the Investigation Judge:

    You are convicted of destructing the Kurdish villages during Anfal Operation and conducting forced evacuation operations of civilian as well as contributing with 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid by killing the Kurdish Civilians.

    ((Statement of the convicted Sultan Hashim at the Tribunal))

    A question from the tribunal to the convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad:

    What is the General Command of the Armored Forces? And what are the issues that discussed within it? And who are its members during (1987-1988)?

    He replied the General Command of the Armed Forces were utilized in the Iraqi-Iranian war and routinely replaced the Supreme Defense Council taking over its responsibilities and duties among which are the duties of discussing military tactics, administrative matters, planning / transportation matters and all military responsibilities that are primarily of four kinds (Operations, Administration, Supplies, Training) and these four responsibilities cover all Military responsibilities.

    When there is a time where the General Command requests a meeting in accordance to a work schedule they summon those individuals and discuss whether the training, operations, administration, supplies or anything else for that matter, with a purpose of taking suitable decisions.

    The convict also stated: The members of The General Command for the following two years (1987 and 1988) are, The General Commander of the Infantry Forces, Republican President (Saddam Hussein) - Deputy of the General Commander and Defense Minister ('Adnan Khayrallah) - Chief of Army Staff (Nazar Al-Khazraji).

    The assistants that attend the General Command of the Infantry Forces meeting are formed of four assistants: Administration Assistant Lieutenant Colonel ('Abd al-Sattar Al-Ma'ini), Supplies Assistant Lieutenant Colonel (Diya' Al-Din Jamal), Training Assistant (Ni'mah Faris Al-Muhayyawi) and Operations Assistant (Husayn Rashid), the Directors of Operations and Planning also attend all meetings.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: whether he was one of the members of the Infantry Forces General Command?

    He replied: Yes, I am a member of the Infantry Forces General Command.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: does the Corps Commander of the General Command attend the meetings or does he only attend when requested to attend?

    He replied: No, he is not a member and he does not attend, yet if his presence was requested, in a matter that concerned him, then he would attend and be included in the Infantry Forces General Command meetings.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: what are the jurisdictions of the Chief of Army Staff?

    He replied: The Chief of Army Staff is responsible for the army administration and he applies his jurisdictions on the Naval Forces too, and that all orders issued to the Naval Forces are issued by the Chief of Army Staff.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: what are the jurisdictions of the Chief of Army Staff Assistant in regards to operational matters?

    He replied: The Office of Chief of Army Staff consists of four departments: (Operations, Administrations, Supplies and Training) and I am able to say that each of the four assistants is an adviser to the Chief of Army Staff concerning matters within their department, for he hands-in his recommendations to the Chief of Army Staff.

    in every Department of these departments there are directorates that comply with their directorate, which are correlated to the Chief of Army Staff who is responsible for them, so when the Chief of Army Staff requests recommendations from any of the departments or from the Assistant then the assistant passes it in to the director of the specified directorate or if the Assistant is familiar with the questionable matter he responds and returns it to the Chief of Army Staff.

    Questioned by the Tribunal in regards to which Directorates are correlated with the Department of Intelligence?

    He replied that the Department of Intelligence is correlated to the following departments: (Operations, Planning, Arming, Supplying, Organization, and Military Surveillance along with the Intelligence Directorate).

    Questioned by the Tribunal in regards to what the Planning Departments' specialty was? He replied: Its title explains it more specifically, any task, Military Planning or any task that requires any planning. Military Planning in Military terms is recognition of situations where there are specified tasks that are discussed by the plotter who reaches a plan meaning that the plan is the substance for recognition of the situation.

    Questioned by the Tribunal in regards to the first circumstance the plan contravenes the Corps and is this is based on a request from Chief of Army Staff?

    He replied: It is presented to the Chief of Army Staff who is in charge of the decision; he then transfers it to the operations requesting a report with their opinion on the matter.

    The decision is in the hands of the Chief of Army Staff who either agrees, or not or may modify it. The decision will be issued by the Chief of Army Staff and no one else.

    Questioned by the Tribunal whether the National Defense Regiments are correlated with the first Corps, of around (60 to 70) Regiments?

    He replied: In this operation only (The 1st Anfal Operation) the National Defense Regiments' numbers in the country were (205) Regiments, and this estimated number includes (all) of the Northern Sector, the (Suran) Sector, the (Bahdinan Sector), and parts of (Irbil), Dahuk and Al-Mawsil. These Regiments led by Tribal leaders assign an advisor (T.C: MUstashar) for the Regiment. The Defense Regiments have supporters there with the first Corps, which is known as the 5th Light Legion (T.C: JahfalKhafif) Command. Every Command divides the numbers among them. All these Regiments belong to the Legion Command.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal to which they would belong in battle? He replied: In battles, they belong to the Command yet if this Command was part of the operation, they received their orders form the Corps Commander and if it was not part of the operation it received its orders from the Commander that is present amid the battle.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal if the National Defense Regiments participated in the 8th Anfal Operation? In addition, whether the National Defense Regiments were responsible for the first attack (who led before the army troops)

    He replied: It was one of the chief dependencies where the National Defense Regiments were spread throughout the 3 Corps (The 2nd, 5th and 1st) in all operations and the aim of the Chief of Army Staff to rely on them, and the troops advance and occupy targets, this was the goal.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal if the Military Intelligence Directorate provided you with reports with the location of villages and residential areas and Military targets that they used in Anfal operation?

    He replied: (The principle of the Intelligence Department is to provide intelligence to who requires it). Therefore, the reports are handed up to the Office of Chief of Army Staff or in the case where the reports are sent to the Chief of Army Staff transferred from the Ministry Diwan or even if the report comes directly to the Chief of Army Staff, where it is reviewed to find out what it is exactly that concerns certain Crop's which is then summarized in accordance to required Intelligence and is forwarded to the Corps's explaining what the report contained, and this is the coarse of work in Al-Anfal.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: How many Corps's were present in the Northern District in the years (1987-1988)?

    He replied: Three, the 1st, 2nd and 5th Corps.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: How many Divisions were affiliated with the 1st Corps at the time of Al-Anfal?

    He replied: The 1st Corps at that time had contained more than (10-11) Divisions, which I will state them commencing from the right, the (36th) Division that was responsible of Darbandi Khan, (28th) Division, (34th) Division, (27th) Division, (39th) Division, (44th) Division and the (10th) Division, however in regards to the Command of the 1st Legion, it was originally under the command of (Ayad Khalil Zaki) then handed over to Lieutenant General (Sa'd Shams-al-Din) and this Division was on the front line deep in battle against Iran.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Who is responsible for transferring a Division when required by your section, keeping in mind that you have stated that in an offensive situation the Corps is formed of 3 to 5 Divisions, who would have jurisdiction to order the transfer?

    He replied: The Corps are controlled from The Office of Chief of Army Staff.

    The accused was questioned by the tribunal: Which authority was responsible for giving the order to wipe out the villages and expel its residents?

    He replied: The orders were issued from The Office of Chief of Army Staff (Diwan of the Defense Ministry) and from the Northern Organization Office.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Quoted in your statement before the Investigatory Judge that the plans, whether prepared by the Corps, the Operations Office, or even a joint preparation by both, will not be executed until it has been discussed by the Operations Office, correct?

    He replied: They may discuss it among themselves being Operational Offices and then pass it on to The Office of Chief of Army Staff or The Planning Department and in some cases the file may be presented to the Operations Deputy, which he may forward in an official letter, where the Planning Department is in charge of discussions, meaning that it is the office responsible of reviewing the presented case, which is then forwarded to the Operations Deputy.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Are details of the Anfal operations or any for that matter illustrated in detailed reports within the Military Staff Directorate, Planning Directorate and Operations Department?

    He replied: It is obvious within army regulations that there exists a morning status report and an evening status report which daily state, nothing can be accomplished in the army if it is not stated on paper.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Do the Status reports mention the destruction of the villages and deportation of its residents?

    He replied: It is mentioned, for all activities are stated within this report, which is forwarded to the Office of Chief of Army Staff. If any activity is missing even of one day, a call is made questioning how and why the activity was not mentioned.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: At what precise time was a Commander coordinated for the 1st Corps?

    He replied: The order was issued on the 1st of April and the Corps was under the command of (Kamil Sajit) on the 2nd of April.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Anfal operations are formed of eight operations, Can you state to the tribunal, which operations you led and which troops participated?

    He replied: I would like the following taken into account: In the 1st Anfal I was in command of my assigned station and under my command were three divisions, which are: the 33rd Division, the 4th Division and the Light Legion Command that included (60 to 70) National Defense Regiments.

    As for the 3rd Anfal operation in which the 1st and 2nd corps participated within the area from (Sinjar to Kifri and Kalar), which was a sector under responsibility of the 2nd Corps. Also participating in some way or another were the Light Legion Command, the Oil Protection Command and the Artillery Directorate. As for the 4th Anfal operation, in which the 1st Corps led alone that also participated with the 10th Division I previously mentioned.

    I also participated in the 8th Anfal operation, which the 5th Corps also took part in.

    As a matter of fact, the sector was that of the 5th Corps sector, for my Corps and I were charged with assisting the 5th Corps in taking a sector of the 5th Corps's sectors and carrying out operations there, I was also charged to assist in planning and commanding its Military Units in order to expand their operational area.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Declared in your statement before the Investigatory Judge that you were summoned in mid January 1988 where you were met by the Chief of Army Staff (Nazar Al-Khazraji) and Chief of Army Staff Operations Assistant Lieutenant (Husayn Rashid) who briefed me on this operation, previously prepared by the 1st Corps and the Operations Agency, is this true?

    He replied: when I was summoned by the Chief of Army Staff, I met with him in the presence of the Operations Assistant, the Planning Director then greeted them and took a seat, at which time the Lieutenant told me this is the situation, and you have been charged by us to take part in the Anfal operation and this file (which was in his hand) take it and read it and return to your Corps today and tell them that you have been assigned a mission. Your group will be equipped in a day or two, you will go to Al-Sulaymaniyyah and open your headquarters, and this whole conversation was with The Army Chief of Staff.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Who is responsible for following up and executing orders in transferring a Corps once they have been issued by the Army Chief of Staff?

    He replied: (Corps activity is the responsibility of the Operations Department) that tracks its activity, therefore (the duty of the Military Operations Directorate).

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Did the assigned headquarters provide you with backing?

    He replied: The Headquarters assigned to the Operations Command fell under my command and once our duties were fulfilled, an order was issued that everyone was to return to their original unit.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Declared in your statement before the Investigatory Judge that during the 1st Anfal operation you claimed to have had no communication with this department and that you had never met with any of its affiliates, yet after assignment of Command of the 1st Corps, the coordination was the Northern Organization Office in accordance to order 4008 dated 1987 June the 20th, is this correct?

    He replied: I said that in the 1st Anfal I did not meet with anyone, the reason I never met with anyone and never had any relationship with the Northern Organization Office, was because we never found anyone in the 1st Anfal to take and send off to the Northern Organization Office, this is the reason we had nothing to do with it, yet in other operations families were present, therefore we carried out our orders (among which was letter No. (4008)).

    It was about sending the families that were found, to the appropriate authorities and the Northern Organization Office.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: Did the villages that were considered a prohibited zone contain only men of the (Pishmarga) Forces or did it also contain families?

    He replied: According to our Intelligence, it was inhabited, yet we had not actually witnessed the situation in detail until the Anfal operation was carried out.

    The operation was to begin by occupying its high grounds first and then work their way inside.

    Whenever this occurred, families were seen and I saw them on more than one occasion, people, families, I mean men, woman and children, I would tell them to transfer them by car , I swear neither shackled nor captive.

    The convict was questioned by the tribunal: What are the orders that were issued to the army sectors in regards to the treatment of families and their property within the prohibited villages? And did you carry out the issued orders?

    He answered: I had replied for two points, the first one regarding the people case; it is clear; if you find them, send them to the Northern Organization Office, that order has been issued by the Northern Organization Office. The convict was asked by the tribunal about the order's execution.

    He answered: yes, I had stated that this order was issued to the detachments and I informed the divisions that executed the order to do so, and took them to the Northern Organization Office of Kirkuk, the order was clear.

    The people took whatever they could load in the vehicles, and they gave him so many vehicles that I witnessed, weird things could be happened in everywhere. Concerning the houses, an order of demolishing all the houses in the security-prohibited area was issued. The divisions gave back the document that had received by telegram from the Chief of Army Staff, No. (1182) dated on 1988 August 28 and stated that; The General Commander of the Armed Forces-Minister of Defense- ordered to (A) Demolishing all the villages and houses of each village by leaving one house or more in the previously-demolished villages, the army's air-force is assigned to control that.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: It was mentioned in your statement before the investigating magistrate that you have no connection with any member of the security committees related to the convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    However, sometimes a representative of the corps is being called and either a corps's staff officer or intelligence officer is attending, and if there is any issue regarding our task, it would be informed to me and the necessary action will be taken regarding it, is it true? He answered: it is true, yes, sometimes if there is any issue related to our corps', a representative will go to the security committee.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: about who is your corps' representative and do you know him?

    He answered: that there is no permanent one and that one of the corps' internal security representatives will attend.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: do you remember, for instance, one or two of the villages that been demolished in the Anfal operation?

    He answered: for example there were many villages in (Simaqulyat) sector that been demolished by the army in the Eighth Anfal Operation, and that he mentioned its names in his statement.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: It was mentioned in your statement before of the investigating magistrate that due to the bad weather and snow and rainfall; the air force was not used, but helicopters were called for support, it means that the weather was convenient?

    He answered: what you said is right, but the helicopters cannot fly in the deep areas to avoid falling, it was flying over our detachments attacking the tops and it cannot reach the deep and the villages because it will be brought down if it reached there.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: you said that you had received orders of moving the individuals found in the security-prohibited area by vehicles to the system, after that the vehicles started moving them to the Northern Organization Office where our relation with them will be finished there and when the cycle and the related documents is completed.

    Therefore, do you mean that the army had arrested the individuals and handed them over to the Northern Organization Office; who is in its turn submitting them to the security authorities? So some individuals will be died during the investigations, some will be sent to mass graves, and others will be released, do not you think that the whole process is like a cycle starting from the army and arresting the people, and ending with the security?.

    He answered: my answer concerning this point that; if I knew that those people will be treated in that way and I sent them; I will be an associate in the crime. But; I knew that they were moving them from the fight and the military operations areas to Kirkuk for saving their lives, that what I has been informed and I has not been informed about any thing else.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: Was the transferring process by force or willingly?

    He answered with a question, is there any one leaves his house willingly?

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: When you had submitted them to the Northern Organization Office, did you inquire about them and their fate? I never ask about them or ask any one who can answer me about them. If I asked, and I know nothing about them, but if you ask me whether I heard in the radio any news about them? Yes, I was listening daily to the Radio of Democratic Party and Patriotic Union, and I heard much news about the mass graves, but I have no idea whether those people, buried in the mass graves, were the same who we moved to Kirkuk.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: After the end of Anfal operation, had you been honored by the government at that time?

    He answered: in the First Anfal Operation (One Medal of Bravery) as I am a corps commander that was assigned in a mission, if I success it, I will be honored, and if I fail it, my head will be cut. This is what I meant by the honoring, so when I said that they honored me, it would be against my efforts in accomplishing the mission assigned to me without any diligence, objection or negligence.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: Did the orders of demolishing the villages and moving the people by the military vehicles, which was assigned to you, were legal in your point of view?

    He answered: I think that you already read my answer to the investigating magistrate; I am receiving the orders from the deputy commander, the chief of army staff will inform the corps to order the division. I cannot ask him about the legality of that order especially that the country is in a war, it is a military order that to be executed.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: If you were asked about your evaluation of the Anfal operation, are you satisfied about what happened in it?

    He answered: For me as a soldier in that day of Anfal operation; the situation in the front was attack from two sides on the Iraqi front from (Mawat) and (Shimiran) sides, the evaluation of the Anfal operation for the soldiers was success, this is my answer, I'm a military soldiers who was assigned to a mission.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: There is a correspondence numbered (349) dated on 1988 April 27 that was issued from the chief of army staff addressed to Staff Major General Sultan Hashim and Major General Ayad Khalil, its subject was the directions of the conference held in Kirkuk on 1988 April 27 including article (F) of using the special ammunitions on the enemy's assemblies, also about the possibility of attacking the saboteurs headquarters by special ammunitions attacks, you are saying that you have no idea about that, but that correspondence was addressed to you?

    He answered: It was addressed to me, but there were copies of it that sent to the others; some were sent to the Fifth Corps, to the First Corps, to the Fifth Corps Sector, to the First Corps Sector, and to all the other concerned parties.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: A mass grave was found later in Al-Sulaymaniyyah area in the sector that was under your command during Anfal operations, bodies' remains and skeletons of Kurdish citizens of Anfal victims were found there. The grave included too; infant' toys and house plates, but you claim that you do not know about that, how do you explain it? He answered: I have no idea about the mass grave, and if I do, I will not keep silent.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: And if you know this matter, it will be under the orders assigned to you, and you had mentioned before that if you have received an order, you have to execute it; either it is legal or illegal?

    He answered: that differs; there is an order to kill the infants and one to attack the enemy.

    A question was raised by the tribunal to the convict: How many artillery battalions under your control? He answered: three; each division has four battalions, but the light group does not have so we provide them from the other divisions, it means two divisions and each division contains four battalions so the total will be eight battalions.

    The convict Sultan Hashim also stated to the tribunal: I am the Anfal commander within five commanders associated in Anfal operation and a commander in each part of it, I do admit my responsibility since the first day of the trial, and I said that in front of your Excellency. The second point; each action I had done is documented and I do not deny any of it, but during the time limits that I had mentioned from date to date in Anfal operations, and all the orders issued by the chief of army staff during that time either of demolishing houses or moving people to Kirkuk, and I really do not any idea on any other orders.

    ((Convict statement of 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid before the tribunal))

    A question was raised by the investigating magistrate to the convict: When you were nominated to be in-charge of the Northern Organization Office?

    He answered: I do not remember the exact date but it was in the beginning of the year 1987. After that the decree 160 had been issued by the Revolutionary Command Council on 1987 March 29 by which I was been granted the area's command in Kurdistan that is; the command of the security and military services and the state services, which means; the authorities of the National Security Council and the Northern Affairs Committee. In addition, I was in charge of the cities; (Duhuk, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, (Irbil), Al-Mawsil and Al-Ta'mim); my headquarters was in Al-Ta'mim governorate, my duty, at that time, was the Party Organization in the area and ensuring the public security in these governorates. I stayed in that position until April 1989, and during that time; I was controlling directly the security committees that was managing the security affairs in these governorates. Concerning what had been happened in the Anfal operations; the military detachments were responsible, in addition to the national defense regiments that were receiving orders from the General Command of the Armed Forces.

    The convict Sultan Hashim was commanding the operations in Al-Sulaymaniyyah.

    My relation with these military forces was only in housing the people who were moved from the security-prohibited areas and the borderlines to the housing complexes.

    In effect; the villages residents been deported and housed in the housing complexes, which been arranged for that, and the families that been settled in it were deported unwillingly by the military detachments, the national defense regiments, and the security committees according to the orders issued by me, also orders and other instructions regarding demolishing the remaining of the village's houses in the area were issued by the army to the military detachments, and it was executed by them and it was became bare ground. After the deportation of the villages' residents, instructions been issued according to correspondence (4008) on 1987 June 20; that banned completely any human or animal existence there, and that area been considered a restricted one. I believed in these orders when I had issued it, in spite of its toughness. A question was raised by the investigating magistrate to the convict: Tell us when was the deportation operation of the Kurdish villages' families been started?

    He answered that regarding the deportation; the states' plan had been started in 1978 and was continued, and the people were got the compensations. During the period that I was in-charge of the North Organization Office; housing complexes were constructed by the Ministry of Housing of which individuals and families were moved to by the army and National Defense Regiments through the security committees.

    A question was raised by the investigating magistrate to the convict: It was mentioned in the convict Sultan Hashim's statement that after controlling the villages during the Anfal operations, the families-that were living there of men, women, and infants- were moved to the Northern Organization Office, give us details about that? He answered: At that time, an order was issued by the General Command of the Army Forces to hand over these families to the security committees that in its turn and for its responsibilities; had issued an order to the security committees to receive the families. A question was raised by the investigating magistrate to the convict: Concerning the demolishing of the Kurdish villages, who was the authority that issued these orders? He answered that the army was responsible for demolishing the villages located outside the cities, but the ones close to the cities; it was under the responsibility of the army and the national defense regiments, and I don't know the demolished village's numbers.

    Question addressed by the investigating magistrate to the accused: - according to vocal record for you during one of the meetings showed that you scattered families of women and children to different governorates then buried them in mass graves by bulldozers. He answered: - I was saying that just for purpose of terrifying and psychological affection.

    The investigating magistrate asked the accused: - you issued the order (4008) in 20 June 1987 to the 1st, 5th and 2nd Corps includes clear order to arrest anybody available in the security restricted area especially those ages between (15 - 70) what you say?

    He answered: yes I issued this order not to restore the destroyed villages that they were compensated.

    The investigation magistrate asked the accused: could you specify the range of the area was under your authority?

    The accused answered: Based on my positions as a responsible for the Northern Organization Office my I'm responsible for five governorates Ninawa, Al-Ta'mim, Duhuk, Irbil and Al-Sulaymaniyyah in addition after execute the order concerns the security restricted Kurdish Villages I issued another order to empower the security committees in the above-mentioned governorates stating exploit the agricultural lands, the security committees was within my authority which means I was the direct In Charge to follow up these villages, my secretary in this committee Tahir Tawfiq Yusif.

    Question addressed by the investigating magistrate to the accused: did you receive any instructions from the central government at that period in your authority area within Kurdistan region?

    The accused answered:- according to appointment decision I was fully authorized to execute any operation in addition all the instructions issued that period were issued by me directly not by any other central side I have plenipotentiary.

    Question from the investigating magistrate to the accused: - what was your plan rather than relocate the Kurdish families from the north?

    He answered: our plan was gathering the families in compounds and after the 8 operations of Al-Nafal, the plan was To destroy the villages, kill saboteurs, kill anybody resist or refuse the orders and destroy the Kurdish armed forces, according to the families we found in the region they sent compulsory by the army to deliver them to the security committees.

    The investigating magistrate asked the accused: during some of your private meetings you mentioned that you were planning for confine the Kurds at limited areas to simplify attacking them by special weapons

    The accused answered: I used to use these terms just for terrifying and I didn't use the chemical weapons in any area of Kurdistan region.

    Question by the investigating magistrate to the accused: - through the documents we have it's indicate that you issued execution orders against some people were arrested in the restricted area, why you issued such these orders?

    He answered: - I didn't issue any execution order except the order number (4008) concerning kill who was available in the limited area by the letter addressed to the 1st, 2nd and 5th Corps which was amended after that.

    Question from the investigating magistrate to the accused: - according to the witness testimony ('Umar Fattah) reported that during one of the meetings and through negotiations you inquired about the destiny of the Kurdish families who disappeared after year 1988 while you were occupying position of In Charge for the Northern Organization Office, what you say beside that?

    He answered: this subject wasn't mentioned in these negotiations and I'm not responsible for Anfal events.

    ((Testimony of the Accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid in the Tribunal))

    Question addressed from the tribunal to the accused 'Ali Hasan Majid: - what was your last position?

    He answered: member in Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council and member of State Command in Ba'th Party

    Question addressed from the tribunal to the accused: - the tribunal has received two terms the first Northern Organization Office, the second Northern Affairs Committee, what do you mean by the Northern Organization Office?

    He answered: Ba'th Party Office responsible for five governorates its Al-Ta'mim, Ninawa, Duhuk, Irbil and Al-Sulaymaniyyah

    The tribunal asked the accused: - what is the Northern Affairs Committee? He answered: the Northern Affairs Committee formed in 1970 presided by the Deputy of Secretary State Command, the Deputy of President of Revolutionary Command Council who occupy this position is the director of Northern Affairs Committee the members are Interior Minister, Defense Minister and the directors of security organizations such as the Intelligence and General Security, and when I entrusted to duty the In Charge of Northern Organization Office the committee's activity has suspended but its secretariat continue working by order from the Northern Organization Office and this is the Northern Affairs Committee Question addressed from the tribunal to the accused: - in 29 March 1987 this committed suspended and the secretariat office became connected with the Northern Organization Office.

    He answered: it's suspended but not dissolved because the decision 160 grants constitutional competences to the Revolutionary Command Council, Northern Affairs Committee and the National Security Council and granted to the In Charge of Northern Organization Office. The tribunal asked the accused: - according to the documents the secretary of Northern Affairs Committee is the accused (Tahir Tawfiq Yousif) the secretariat became practice its work with Northern Organization Office.

    He answered: after this decision the secretariat connected with issued supplementary instructions stating that the secretariat office connected with the Northern Organization Office and Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani is the secretary.

    The tribunal asked the accused: by decision 160 what are the competences entrusted to you according to the decision number 160 issued by the dissolved Revolutionary Command Council for the year 1987.

    He answered: all that mentioned in the decision is within my competences and I was working through these competences when I issued Order dealing with the northern area by special way according to the exceptional circumstances in this area such as the internal rebellion of mutiny and the outer danger so that I was a must to declare the emergency state.

    The tribunal asked the accused: - according to the decision 160 what was the authorities connected with you?

    He answered: in the north all the authorities connected to me whether they were military or civilian such as (the Legislative and Executive Council, Governors, Corps Commanders, Security Directors, Intelligence Directors, Education Directors and others military and civilian organizations) all these are competences granted from decision issued by Revolutionary Command Council.

    The tribunal asked the accused: what is the meaning by this paragraph (Member of State Command the comrade 'Ali Hasan Majid representing the state command of Ba'th Party and Revolutionary Command Council through execute its policy), what is the meaning by execute its policy?

    He answered: any thing decided by the council or the leadership toward execute the new or old policies, I'm the one who responsible for executing this policy

    The tribunal asked the accused: did you really execute the policy of the party and Revolutionary Command Council in the region?

    He answered: if I wasn't the right leader I wouldn't be in my position that time.

    The tribunal asked the accused: are convinced that what you preformed was during the competences entrusted to you by Revolutionary Command Council and Ba'th Party?

    He answered: I already informed the tribunal by yes I'm convinced according to the circumstances were facing Iraq that period and I'm not regretted ever on all what I did, I apologize for anybody harmed because my intention wasn't to harm anyone but to defend upon Iraq.

    The tribunal asked the accused: the Eastern and Northern Intelligence Organization was under your authority?

    He answered: yes and receiving orders from me, the two organizations as any governmental department in the northern area belong to the Northern Organization Office. The tribunal asked the accused: what was the reason of coercive relocation for the villagers? He answered: the relocation was based on two methods, it wasn't a relocation but gathering the villages which includes two directions the borderline villages and security prohibited villages, the borderline villages include all the borderline governorates such as: (Al-Mawsil, Duhuk, Irbil, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Diyala, Wasit, Al-'Amarah and Al-Basrah), the security prohibited villages are each village becomes security prohibited by the leadership. The tribunal asked the accused: which year the villages had been relocated on the borderline? He answered: villages' relocation started since 1975 and continued until I came and realized that my responsibility is to end the saboteurs in the north and this is the country's policy whether it was set by Ba'th Party or by Revolutionary Command Council, I have to distinguish between who working for the country and others those working against it then relocation matter was necessary and based on this operation the government constructed compounds to start the relocation from Al-Sulaymaniyyah first before Irbil Governorate then Duhuk Governorate.

    The tribunal asked the accused: as a secretary for the Northern Organization Office where you receive the orders and instructions?

    He answered: all the in charges of party offices in Iraq connected to the secretariat of sate command of Ba'th Party where we receive the orders when there is an order sent from the Director of Sate Command Secretariat.

    The tribunal asked the accused: - national defense regiments receive the orders and instructions from the army to participate with the army in Anfal operations; did you participate in the army? He answered: yes

    The tribunal asked the accused: did the Command of the Legion [T.C: Regrouped with (Jahfal)] Command connect to you?

    He answered: I confirm that all the employees whether they were civilians, militaries or security officers belong to the Northern Organization Office and if have any instructions I will direct it according to the functional sequence.

    The tribunal asked the accused: through the plaintiffs testimonies and the documents exposed front of the tribunal what is the meaning of (Security Committees)?

    He answered: in each governorate in Iraq there is a security committee consists of chief and members, the chief is the governor and members are Ba'th Party members, security director, intelligence director and police director, the committee is responsible for fighting the security activity in the governorate where its belong as well as responsible for all the security events which cause security violation, its available in each part of Iraq with subcommittees. The tribunal asked the accused: these security committees were belonging to you also? He answered: each employee or director represents these committees receive the orders from the official of Northern Organization Office.

    A question from the court to the defendant: the security had detainees in custody, so if one of the detainees died during the investigation or released, would you be notified about it or not?

    He replied: of course, it is a must; for I am the one who issued the detention order on the first place.

    A question from the court to the defendant: was there any means of communication between you and the troops that were stationed in the geographic area covering your jurisdiction, and did you exchange views on the military situation or gave them orders?

    He replied: I did not issue any order, except in the Eighth Anfal, the 5th Corps Commander asked me about the way he should handle the civilians, I told him to deal with them according to the orders given during previous operations, as to hand over any detainee to the security.

    Additionally; the defendant stated before the court: I was present at the Kirkuk meeting and I remember that the 5th corps commander, Yunis Al-Dharb, and the Army Chief of Staff Nazar Al-Khazraji were present too.

    A question from the court to the defendant: what decisions did you take in the meeting?

    He replied: as for the civilians, it is exactly as I mentioned to you earlier, however I was not involved with the military aspect.

    A question from the court to the defendant: as for the villages within the parameter prohibited zones for security reasons, were they inhabited at the time by its residents (women, children, elderly and men) and had they been deported?

    He replied: these villages were inhabited by its residents who were all assembled and then transported to housing complexes.

    A question from the court: had the residential complexes open and easily accessible or were they manned by guards or the army?

    He replied; there was no such a thing as a town without guards in the northern part of Iraq. Every town and every complex is within a jurisdiction of all branches of the security services following a plan drawn out by the security committees on the governorate level. The families move freely except in the case when they are transferred to other complexes

    At such time they should get an approval, and if otherwise an approval was not secured, they will be held responsible, detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    A question from the court to the defendant: you stated before the investigating judge that you issued other orders and instructions to the army troops to raze the remnants of the buildings of these villages in the area, were these orders to raze the buildings so that to prevent them from becoming hiding places? He replied: I issued those orders so that to eliminate any possibility for people to hide or weapons to be stored.

    A question from the court to the defendant: did you issue memorandum number 4008 of 1987 June 20 in which you gave directives and orders outlawing the presence of the residents in these area? He answered: yes I did issue this memorandum.

    A question from the court to the defendant: in this memorandum there are clear and direct orders as to kill anyone caught in this area between 15 to70 years old, so what is your take on this? He replied: I reiterate to the court that this memorandum is issued by me, and I corroborate its contents, furthermore; I stick by my orders as we speak under similar circumstances prevalent at the time and should the situation warrant now, under wartime conditions, I would do the same as a result as I did in the past.

    A question from the court to the defendant: were the orders and instructions, in the very beginning, designed for the army to attack the village, put it under control and if there were any individuals present, they would be deported and handed over to the Intelligence Service (TC: the Eastern Zone Intelligence System) for a month? He replied: at the end of the specified period, the army stepped in to carry out the orders by moving to the prohibited zones to quell any resistance, if any, this is (their job), should there was no resistance or they would then have them transferred for detention in the complexes; for they did not comply with the orders. The intelligence Service was at the receiving end from the Army. Later on, the army's responsibilities expanded and we did not foresee the number of civilians to be much higher than anticipated; we decided that the security committees would take over directly from the Army; this way we took the intelligence out of the process and passed this responsibility to the security committees.

    A question from the court to the defendant: where did you detain the individuals who did not obey the orders and remained in the prohibited security zones? He replied: yes, the security would interrogate them, and if one did something that calls for a punishment to be handed down; if he, for instance, followed the saboteurs path; he would be detained, and if he was proven innocent, he will be set free to live inside the complex.

    A question from the court to the defendant: who gave the orders to the army as to flatten the villages in the area? He replied: The Northern Organization Office gave an order; not for the villages to be destroyed, but once the residents are moved along with whatever they chose of their belongings, the remnants of those villages would have been demolished. I gave that order, I reiterated that in the past and do affirm it now; the decision was mine and we took it as a last resort.

    A question from the court to the defendant: did you issue the document of reference number 4008 and had those individuals been arrested and executed? He replied: yes, the order was put into action whereby any individual came into sight would have been killed I do not remember the exact number of persons were killed but I would like to confirm to the court that the order was carried out in such a way that they would be interrogated. A judge would preside over the process and if it was proven that the individual had been caught with the intent to commit subversive acts. This process was established in accordance with the emergency laws that I talked with you earlier. It stipulates that the death sentence would be carried out without having to go through court system process. This has been widely publicized, it is not a secret and the public is cognizant of it.

    In addition, the defendant stated before the court......Tahir Tawfiq was the Secretary of the Committee. When decree number (160) was issued, incorporating the secretariat with the Northern Organization Office, he became Secretary of the Northern Organization Office; he sometimes comes by, whenever something comes up, I would write to the Secretariat who would put it into action.

    A question from the court to the defendant: who was the chief of the security committee in Al-Mawsil Governorate, was he the governor and were the security committees reporting to the Head of the Northern Organization Office? He replied: all security committees in the governorates reported to the Head of the Northern Organization Office and each security committee in a governorate is headed by the governor.

    A question from the court to the defendant: as evidenced by the documents presented to the court that include cases of field execution for those individuals branded as saboteurs; which required your approval and following an investigation presided by a judge as you claimed, so what was the entity which had been entrusted with carrying out these executions, was it the security committees in the governorates or the Intelligence Service? He replied: there was a committee overseeing the responsibility of the execution, burial according to Sharia Law and the issuance of the death certificate. I am not familiar with that committee. I gave my order to the competent authorities whose responsibility was to follow it through.

    A question from the court to the defendant: there is a document addressed to you, in which there is a reference to the fact that they had carried out executions following which they reported the action to you. Document number 1289, addressed to the Northern Organization Office, contains information on executions of criminals by a firing squad. You know that when you give an order to some authority, it becomes a solemn duty to see it through, do you remember this incident or not? He replied: I can not deny it but whom did you say wrote to me. (TC: no question mark).

    The defendant testified before the court: I am solely responsible for executing decree number 160 and all civilian, military and security government authorities in the Northern Region were reporting directly to me and I did not deny that.

    A question from the court to the defendant: you listened to the audio tape-recording in which you threatened to launch chemical strikes, so what is your comment on this? He replied: most of the tape-recording carries my voice and now I reiterate before you that it was only for scare tactics and for the purpose of psychological warfare in an attempt to keep casualties to a minimum, therefore I have never used chemical weapons.

    A question from the court to the defendant: In document number 4008, paragraph four, there is a reference to the killing of a large number of individuals, so what did you mean by this sentence? He replied: had they been present, special attacks were designed to kill the largest number of individuals present in the prohibited zones and this directive is clear.

    A question from the court to the defendant: did you issue orders restricting on the conditions on the families of the so called saboteurs? He replied: yes.

    A question from the court to the defendant: you had been granted broader powers as a result of decree (160), did you or the Revolutionary Command Council have authority to execute persons without due process? He replied: I have the authority of the Revolutionary Command Council and the Revolutionary Command Council has the authority to act should domestic security situations warrant an action, therefore; the Revolutionary Command Council has the authority to hand down the death sentence in two situations, in the case when there is a conspiracy to overthrow the regime or a conspiracy to carry out subversive acts against the country.

    A question from the court to the defendant: did you give directives and orders as to confiscate funds and detain families? He replied: yes, I detained families and confiscated their funds so that to ward off others from daring to act similarly, and to stem the tide of subversive attacks; this way I would rather lose (10) than a (1000).

    An Abstract of the Illustrative Brief Presented by the Defense Attorneys on Behalf of the Victims; Acting as Empowered Proxy for the Plaintiffs Pursuing Rights in Personam and the Lawyers' Requests as Shown herein:

    1. Attorney Mustafa 'Askari - Al-Sulaymaniyyah
    2. Attorney Muahmmad Salih Amidi - Duhuk
    3. Attorney 'Abd-al-Rahman Zibari - Arbil
    4. Attorney Mustafa 'Ali Ahmad - Arbil
    5. Attorney Guran Adham Ibrahim - Al-Sulaymaniyyah
    6. Attorney Hidar Zubayr Barzani - Arbil
    7. Attorney Ayad Isma'il Kakayyi

    Stated in public during session (51) on 2007 March 26 by Attorney (Mustafa 'Askari) on behalf of the attorneys referred to above; comprising of (115) pages in addition to (14) pages for illustrations and maps portraying Al-Anfal campaigns together with charts depicting the military and security apparatuses involved in Al-Anfal campaigns.

    Page (15) carries the attorneys' signatures. The brief contains the following:

    Pages (2 and 3) point to the decision of referral and the names of the defendants who would stand trial for the crimes they are charged with which have been referred to in the decision of referral; appended as follows:

    1. Genocide; pursuant to the provisions of clauses (A, C and E) of article (11) of the Iraqi High Tribunal Law No. (10) for the year 2005.

    2. Crimes against Humanity, pursuant to clauses (A, C and E) of article 12 of the same code.

    3. War Crimes, pursuant to clauses (A, D and L) of article 13 of the same code.

    4. All legal proceedings will be, conclusively, dropped against defendant (Saddam Hussein Al-Majid), pursuant to articles (300 and 304) of the amended law on criminal proceedings number (23) for the year 1971 in light of the death sentence that was carried out on 2006 December 30.

    The brief outlined, in pages (3, 4, 5, 6), a history synopsis of the Kurdish people, the minorities living in the country, the former regime's uncompromising view of having them blended into the Pan-Arab Nationalism; considering the theory of national superiority and ethnic disintegration; pursuing all ruthless practices against these ethnic groups, in the process, to deny them even their basic rights. Mass graves number (2 and 9) in Al-Hadar district represent the clearest evidence of such brutal practices purported by the former regime against the Kurds who were accused of defiance and pledging allegiance to Iran. The brief also touches on the formal objections and challenges filed by the defendants and their legal counsels; ranging from the illegality of the court going, through the irrelevance of the criminal code when it is applied retrospectively, to the immunity the defendants claim for themselves and its' rebuttals with an emphasis on the cassation ruling number (24/ (T)/ 2006) of 2007 September 7 pertaining to the Iraqi High Tribunal and that the ruling realized legal credence.

    The brief continued, in pages (7-16), articulating historical events as of the founding of the state of Iraq up to the 1970 March 11 Agreement and the positions the successive Iraqi governments had taken towards the cause as well as the emergence of the armed movements in Kurdistan starting from 1918 under the leadership of Al-Shaykh (Mahmud Al-Hafid) and the calamities and afflictions that beset their villages and towns; ranging from burning to destroying to displacement of residents and the fact that all governments were incapable of quashing these revolts despite the brutality of the repression. The brief referred to the 1970 March 11 Agreement, following the Ba'this regime's taking control of Baghdad on the heels of the 1968 July 17 Coup and the ensuing unjust economic siege imposed on Kurdistan with all the media blitz that surrounded the 1970 March 11 Agreement, however the clandestine and surreptitious practices on the ground were targeting the agreement by knocking down its provisions. Later on, it became abundantly clear that the agreement was considered as a ruse to buy enough time for the regime to regain control and strengthen its oppressive apparatus the likes of the (Intelligence and the Security Services) and then unleash an assault at the so called Kurdish rebellion that culminated in the revocation of the Iraqi citizenship, the displacement and the confiscation of property of more than half a million Kurdish Faylees on the pretext of their Iranian descent. On the other hand, the campaign of Arabization took off in (Kirkuk, Sinjar, Shaykhan and Khanaqin among other Kurdish areas). Then along came the assassination attempt at the life of Al-Mala (Mustafa Al-Barzani) in his residence in Haji 'Umran by a delegation of clerics, who were unaware of being booby-trapped. Although, the bomb was detonated remotely, nevertheless it was miraculous for Al-Mala (Mustafa) to narrowly escape that attempt on his life. When the Kurds sensed that the regime was procrastinating and dragging its feet in order to rid itself of its commitment as far as the agreement is concerned, the fighting resumed in Kurdistan and it intensified more than ever after the 1975 Agreement, when (Saddam Hussein) relinquished half of Shatt Al-'Arab to Iran. The Kurds demanded a few basic rights under the banner of (Democracy for Iraq and real autonomy for Kurdistan) that would have served Iraq as a whole. Here we ask ourselves a question, would not have been much better, more appropriate and beneficial for the Iraqi people, (Saddam Hussein) himself and the Ba'th Party to reach out and come together; not to go as far as calling on the Kurdish revolution, led by the late (Mala Mustafa Al-Barzani), to surrender but rather to resolve the differences between the two sides and settle their disagreements peacefully in search of a solution for the cause to remain above the fray, away from the battlefield clatter and foreign intervention. Doesn't the ceding of Iraqi soil to a foreign power, in itself, constitute a crime of a grand scale pursuant to the provisions of the repealed provisional constitution and article (156) of the penal code; stipulating that (It is a crime punishable by execution for any individual who, deliberately, commits an act that adversely affects the independence of the country, its unity or its territorial integrity whereby that very act may lead to such end result). With this illicit agreement the Kurdish Revolution suffered a setback and most of the Kurdish armed men surrendered their weapons to the Iraqi regime and some of the Kurdish leadership took refuge somewhere overseas, nevertheless the Iraqi regime under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, who was the Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council and head of the Military Office, instead of embracing, treating the returning Kurds kindly or fulfilling his promises, to say the least, he set out to launch a vengeful (chauvinistic) campaign against the Kurdish people; outlined as follows:

    1. To transfer and exile all returning citizens along with their families to the southern governorates and set strict surveillance measures on their movements around the clock, pursuant to Presidential Decree number (24) promulgated on 1975 April 23.

    2. To set about displacing the residents of the villages along the borderline of the Kurdish region beginning with the districts of (Badra, Jassan, Khanaqin, Halabja, Chuwarta and Qal'at Ziza) all the way through the eastern town of Haj 'Umran and from (Haj 'Umran, Sidakan sub district, Mirga Sur, Barzan, Nirukan and Barwari to the northern town of Zakhu and from (Zakhu to Sinjar westward), a stretch of 25-kilometer wide, the razing of all villages located in these areas. The transfer and displacement of the Kurds from these areas and have them detained in human warehouses; built on a grand scale yet chaotically using stones, mud and straw, the sole purpose of which was to seize control and maintain a firm grip over the civilians.

    3. To enter into two security agreements that allows the military forces of Turkey and Iran of the Shah to enter into Iraqi territories as far as 5 kilometers in pursuit of the Kurdish members of the opposition.

    4. To dislocate the members of Al-Silivani, Al-Kuchar, Al-Hasyani, Al-Miran, Al-Shabak, Al-Harkiya, Al-Kakayyi, Al-Mila and other clans permanently and have their estates and arable lands, estimated at 25 Dunums (TC: a dunum equals 2,500 square meters), confiscated. Arab clans to settle on their lands once modern complexes are built for them.

    5. To relocate the residents of all Kurdish villages located within the parameters of (Shaykhan, 'Aqra, Ba'shiqa, Bahzani and Al-'Asha'ir Al-Sab'ah counties, also Garmiyan, Dawda, Salayyi, Talaban, Zangana, Shuwan, Jaf, Mirga, Qala Siwka, Shikh Bizini areas and Kuysinjaq, Qaraj, Kandinawa, Quwir, Dashti Dizayyi areas), the areas of (Baranati, Sharazur, Shar Bazir, Hawraman), (Al-Bayat) and other villages and areas. To have the civil status records transferred and to have members of the Arab clans replace their Kurdish compatriots whereby each Arab family is granted a lot of land and ten thousand Dinars to build a house.

    6. To label Yezidis as Arabs and require all competent civil status directorates in their respective regions to have their ethnicity in the records changed despite the fact that they represent a religious minority of the Kurdish nation who perform their religious duties using the Kurdish language.

    7. To tag Al-Shabak as Arabs, to use brutality, tactics of terror and forced relocation methods against them in case that they declare their affiliation to the Kurdish nation.

    8. Rather than honoring the provisions of the 1970 March 11 Agreement, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council, decreed a law outlining self-governance whereby two branches of government were established for the autonomous region; a legislative and an executive. These two branches did not have legislative or executive powers. At one hand, the legislative branch did not pass a bill authorizing the construction of a new school or a kindergarten in (28) years, on the other hand the executive branch did not exercise its authority, unless the Northern Affairs Committee nods its approval. A single policeman in (Irbil) or in Al-Sulaymaniyyah or in Duhuk had the power to take into custody all the members of the council without any of its members was able to defend himself.

    9. To connect all the governorates, located within the parameters of the autonomous region, directly with the Ministry of Interior in an attempt to deny the General Secretariat in the region of its jurisdiction.

    10. The Redistricting of the Kurdish governorates; a process whereby the boundaries would be redrawn in such a way that districts are detached from Kurdish governorates and attached to Arab governorates so that to have a full control over them, dilute and disintegrate the Kurdish majority. Case in point is the Kifri district that was attached to the Diyala governorate; the Tuz Khurmatu district was attached to the Tikrit governorate as well as dispersing the Kurdish majority in the city of Kirkuk. This came as a direct result of these chauvinistic campaigns against the Kurdish people. The Kurdish leadership started a drive towards reorganizing and regrouping its forces and returned to the Mountains of Kurdistan to defend its people. Hence, the leaderships of the Party, the Government and the Army, at that time, took an advantage of that opportunity to carry out its policy of (genocide). The army was ordered to use the chemical weapons against the Kurdish civilians and the residents of the villages.

    The brief referred to the following in pages (17-23): In order to define clearly the responsibilities of each defendant that requires identify the jurisdiction of their pertinent department. The deadlock surrounding the administrative process at the former regime's Presidency is attributed to the following reasons:

    1. The acute sense of centralization of the administrative process of the Presidency, where the responsibilities and authorities were exclusively centered with the President (Saddam Hussein).

    2. The secretive nature of the administrative process. The most important reasons in attaching the security, military, intelligence and special services to the Presidential Secretary or the Presidential Diwan stem basically from the nature of the secretive nature of those services; including the murder of opponents and citizens, manufacturing the materials which are prohibited nationally or internationally, the manufacturing of materials banned domestically and internationally such as the chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

    3. Presidential orders are carried out swiftly and secretively in contrast to the constitution, applicable laws and the International Law and its legal system, the bombing of Halabja, for instance, the killing of the Barzanis, the use of chemical weapons, the destruction of Al-Dujayl, the killing of victims of the 1991 Uprising or the decision of the liquidation of some dissents or political figures. The decision would, therefore, be carried out by the competent Authorities; each according to its relevant function without having to refer the matter to the Ministries or other Directorates and without any question asked.

    4. The vast and unlimited resources available to these authorities that allowed them to carry out the orders swiftly, secretively and fully. Exhibit number (1, 2 and 3) was presented publicly (of which a copy is enclosed herewith). It is a matter of fact that (Saddam Hussein) was the Vice Chairman of the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council, however, he was the de facto President of the country as he ruled for over (35) years without a permanent constitution but rather an interim one; using semi-martial laws as an autocrat. He ran the affairs of the state as he was holding the following posts and positions:

    1. President of the Republic.
    2. Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council.
    3. Prime Minister for a long time.
    4. General Commander of the Armed Forces.
    5. In charge of the following Security Services: (Intelligence Service, General Intelligence Directorate, Special Security Directorate, General Commander of the Special Guard and General Commander of the Republican Guard). Whereas the Partisan Positions the executed (TC: a disparaging reference to Saddam Hussein by current government officials following his execution) was holding are:

    a. State Command Secretary of the now defunct Ba'th Party.

    b. National Command Secretary General of the now defunct Ba'th Party. As for the legislative branch, it had never been able to pass a single bill unless the approval of the Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council; i.e. Saddam Hussein himself, was granted.

    The brief stated the following:

    Following the Iranian Revolution under the leadership of the late Ayatollah Al-Khumayni in 1979 and the collapse of the Shah Regime, Saddam Hussein took an advantage of the weakness of the new regime in Iran to back away from the agreement and his commitments to which he gave his approval as referred in the Agreement of Algeria. He had unilaterally revoked the agreement, mobilized his troops alongside the borders with Iran. He broke out a fierce war labeled as (Al-Qadisiyyah) on 1990 September 22 under the banner of "In protection of the Arab Nation's Eastern Gate" that lasted for eight years. Iraq and Iran lost more than one million individuals between casualties, injured and disabled. The overall Military Expenditure of war amounted to more than (250) billion Dollars which came to a conclusion on 1988 August 08.

    The Iraqi-Iranian war had, in fact, come to a conclusion but the wars of (Saddam) did not end. Besides his military theory and ideological concept of annihilating and diluting every ethnic group that rejects his doctrine, he had other objectives of stamping out and eradicating the Kurdish Nation, as a result Al-Anfal campaigns were launched.

    (Al-Anfal) is a word that means the spoils of war; it means the money, the weapons, the food and other stuff the Muslims laid their hands on during the Battle of Badr in addition to the captives. Al-Anfal campaigns, launched by the executed Saddam Hussein, joined by the defendants standing trial here before you and the participation of all branches and services of the army, Internal Security Forces and the ranks of their party. Those campaigns had affected all facets of the Kurdish Society's daily life; the human, the political, the economical, the social, and the psychological. It was exposed to abuse, destruction and the murder of the residents of the Kurdish villages; using, in the process, a range of various weapons; among which the chemical weapons and the internationally-prohibited toxic gases. The rest of the survivals among the residents of those villages; old, men, women and children including infants, were assembled and then transported to special camps. They were killed according to age and sex. The old were sent to secluded prisons such as (Nuqrat Al-Salman). As for those between the ages of (15-70) they were executed and eliminated in series of campaigns operated by special execution squads who would, later on, be buried in pre-arranged mass graves dug for this purpose and cover their traces by getting rid of any evidence. The percentage of children affected by these actions reached 80% in some massive graves. These Military campaigns, as clearly evidenced, became genocide of an oppressed nation.

    The brief discussed the following, in pages (24-32):

    The defense team on behalf of Al-Anfal victims (TC: the text here seems to be referring to the attorneys for the victims) is inclined to cite the International Criteria for the crime of genocide and draw a comparison to the vicious crimes, perpetrated by the defendants and their accomplices. Jurists of International Law have outlined them into eight phases; taking the following into account:

    1. The defendants divided Kurdistan into eight regions where each region was defined by delineating the villages, the mountains and the roads.

    2. The defendants' actions had intersected throughout all those phases whereby they corresponded with articles (11) Genocide, (12) crimes against humanity and (13) war crimes, of the Iraqi High Tribunal Law number (10) for the year 2005.

    First: The Stage of Classification

    This is what the State and Army Leaders in the Ba'thist regime led by Saddam Hussein did. They branded the people and positioned the Kurdish Nation on the side of the enemy, for which they trained their Military personnel and Party members and had them indoctrinated to antagonize the Kurds. A clear example of that is the killing and the burying of the Kurdish children; saving not even the infants, at mass graves by fervent soldiers and Security personnel.

    Second: The Stage of Symbolization

    A name or a symbol may be forced upon unwilling members of a pariah group; profiled based on one's color, gender, national origin, religion or native attire, hence introducing new causes for hatred and rejection. This is what exactly the defendants did and their accomplices, accordingly they called the Kurds saboteurs, traitors or descendents of treason. The purpose of this discrimination is to spread a spirit of hatred and rejection against the Kurds.

    Third: The Stage of Dehumanization

    It means that one group denies the humanity of another whose members are equated with animals or vermin that draws sarcasm and disparages the group; for a fighter in the ranks of the Pishmarga, which means guerrilla, is a saboteur in the eyes of the defendants.

    Fourth: The Stage of Organization

    This stage is always organized and carried out by the State's often trained and well-armed special army units or militias whereby well-prepared plans are set up for the genocide operations. In comparison with Al-Anfal operations, it turned out to be consistent with each other because a detailed organized plan was made, maps, and specialized forces were used to put it into action; including all branches of the military; infantry, tanks, equipments, artillery, various types of missiles, various types of conventional, special and internationally-prohibited munitions. It all started from the highest authority at the helm of the party and the state citing decree number (160) of the State Command and the Revolutionary Command Council dated 1987 March 29 in which defendant ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) was given definitive powers to put the policies of the above-mentioned commands into practice. The mere reference to the phrase "executing its policy" means, unequivocally, that there was a study in place outlining Al-Anfal operations. The full potential of the state's resources of all its various services were dedicated for that purpose. Furthermore, a decision was made to link the Executive Council of the self-autonomous region of Kurdistan with the Governors of the rest of the governorates, the Directors of Administrative Units, the Security and Intelligence Services, the Military Intelligence, the Popular Army Command. All military units based in the region were commanded to follow the defendant's ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) orders and all of that signifies the platform for the crime of genocide. At this junction, we kindly request the Court to take the following points into consideration:

    1. Do all the claims, stated by the defendants and their legal counsels, justify the use of the internationally-prohibited chemical weapons?

    2. Does the killing and annihilation of defenseless and peaceful civilian villagers, transferring them from their homes to secluded areas, or displacing them to the desert, setting up mass graves for this purpose, holding them in secluded prisons, the suffering from malnutrition, the lack of medical treatment, the destruction of villages, farms, even their water springs and wells in the region were not spared. does the commission of these crimes come under the banner of "fighting Iran"? Or was it an accessory of that war? We would like to ask this question, where was the Iranian Army located, against which they claimed they were waging a war, when women, children and the elderly were killed in the area of (Badinan)? Which is hundreds of kilometers away from the Iraq-Iran Borders? At a time when the hostilities were ceased and the war had come to an end on 1988 August 08. The court has examined the documents portraying the launching of Al-Anfal operations in (Badinan) on 1988 August 25. You have also seen during the inspection in the (Nazarki Fort) (the villages of Kurima, Barjini and others) the impact of the chemical attack and you saw the remains of some victims and the destruction that befell the region. You have listened to testimonies of a number of witnesses on location; reviewed reports prepared by experts and documents signed by the defendants as well as the films; all of which substantiate the fact that the defendants and their accomplices had committed the crime of genocide against the Kurdish Nation at a time when the Iraq-Iran war had long been over.

    Fifth: The Stage of Polarization

    This took place in Kurdistan before and during the eight campaigns of Al-Anfal whereby the State's and the party's entire media machine was set aside to serve that very purpose; chief among which was the dissemination and broadcasting of propaganda; exploiting the faith in their criminal acts by dubbing these campaigns "Al-Anfal"; portraying the Kurds, in the process, as infidels who must be eradicated.

    This demonstrates, very clearly, what had these leaderships been preparing; as far as the propaganda of seeding reasons for hatred and polarization against the Kurds is concerned.

    Sixth: The Stage of Identification

    The victims are identified and separated out because of their race or religious identity, death lists are prepared, victims are grouped in concentration camps or detention centers where they are exposed to disease or starvation and we saw that happening to the Kurds by the defendants and their accomplices; as exemplified in the case of the detainees in (Tupzawa, Dibis and Nuqrat Al-Salman).

    Seventh: The Stage of Extermination

    It is extermination, the defendants and their accomplices have directly carried out Al-Anfal operations (the genocide). Given that the state was the sponsor; all state authorities, the popular army, the emergency forces, the security service, the security committees had taken part in these operations. The cruelty reached the point of taking a decision to attack the villages with huge bombs; which was, actually, carried out. Were the villagers, rebels raising arms in defiance of the state or were they agents of Iran's?

    Eighth: The Stage of Denial

    It's the last stage following the genocide in which the killers try to cover the evidence, frighten the witnesses, deny that they committed the crime, cast the blame on the victims and preclude any investigation into the crimes. By drawing a comparison between what took place during Al-Anfal operations with these standards, it becomes abundantly clear to the court how did these massacres take place, how the mass graves were dug in secluded areas and the evidence was covered in the same manner as in the cases of the mass graves in Ninawa and Al-Muthanna. The expert who testified before the court explained in detail how the mass graves were dug in secluded areas whereby they were away from the sight of the public. The defendants tried to put the blame on the victims and did make an effort to preclude any investigation into their crimes as it is evidently clear in the order issued by defendant ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) in the Northern Office circular number (2713) dated 1987 April 10, disseminated by Al-Sulmaniyyah Security Directorate in its circular number (3131) dated 1987 May 10; in which he directed that under no circumstances should litigation or complaints; including those of civilian nature, be entertained in the areas where Al-Anfal operations took place.

    The crime of genocide has been committed against the Kurdish people and established in all its elements- the immaterial element means the criminal intent- that is evident in decree number (160) of 1987 March 29, which contains the phrase "to implement its policy" this means that the intent was manifested in all its elements. The contents of the file demonstrate that there was a specified intent behind the acts of the defendants in carrying out the crime of genocide against the Kurds. As for the physical element, the court has the evidence; represented by the experts' reports, films (TC: Videos) attached to the file, audio recordings, mass graves, remains of the victims, unexploded bombs, plaintiffs' testimonies, witnesses' testimonies, documents, exhibits and correspondence bearing the defendants' signatures; all of which clearly constitute the material evidence of the crimes committed by the defendants. On 1959 January 20, Iraq ratified the 1948 December 9 Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide. The second clause of article No. (11) of the law of this court defines the punishable acts as follows:

    1- Genocide.
    2- Conspiracy to commit genocide.
    3- Direct an overt incitement to commit genocide.
    4- An attempt to commit genocide.
    5- Participation in genocide.

    As for the connection between the defendants' intent for the annihilation of the Kurdish Nation and the crimes they actually committed, it is evident; had it not been for the defendants' intent to exterminate the Kurds, such a dreadful plan would not have been materialized with a scheme designed for systematic murder, burning and destruction; using all resources at hand, on land, in the air and all conventional and non-conventional and internationally-prohibited weapons.

    The brief covers the following; in pages (32-52): elements of the crime in using weapons of mass destruction in Kurdistan. The crime of genocide was committed against the Kurdish Nation using two approaches. First, by using chemical weapons (non-conventional weapons) and second, by applying the method of Al-Anfal campaigns.

    First: Genocide by using Chemical Weapons

    (1) Hard Copies

    Secret correspondence Ref. No. (SATTS M1/:3/Q2/5809), dated 1987 March 10, from the General Military Intelligence Directorate Secret, Personal and Urgent, to the Army Chief of Staff; copying the Office of the President. The Office of the President replied by correspondence number (SATTS 7/J2/808/K) dated 1987 March 12, contains the following (the president directed that your directorate (the General Intelligence) is to study, with the competent experts, a surprise attack targeting the bases of Al-Khumayni Guard, first branch, Al-Barzani's faction, using special ammunition and keep your options open as to carry it out using (the Air Force, the Army's Air Force, the Artillery). The general intelligence Directorate's correspondence directed to the Office of the President, Top Secret and Personal Ref. No. (SATTS M1/:3/Q2/6414) dated 1987 March 18 reviews the resources available to them in using special ammunition.

    (A) The weather is not cooperating in using the Sarin agent at the present time because the target areas are covered with snow which leads the agent to degrade and becomes a non-toxic substance and the same applies to the Tabun.

    (B) We have good amounts of the (Mustard) agent, yet its potential effects are considered (miraculous); unless a concentrated dose is received; besides it evaporates slowly in snowy areas. The Top Secret correspondence (SATTS M A S ") Ref. No. (:3/Q2/6885) addressed to the Secretary - the Office of the President, Subject: The use of Special ammunition; it contains the following:

    The targets referred to above are vital headquarters to the Iranian agents and members of the Iranian enemy. The presence of the enemy affects internal security in the Northern region. Its locations are far enough (being targets of special weapons) from our troops and they seem more suitable for the use of the chemical weapons and they could be deployed by the resources now at hand (the air force, tube rocket launchers, helicopters at night time).

    Due to the limited amounts of the special weapons on hand at present time; it is recommended that one of the following two options is to be pursued:

    (A) First Option: To attack the two identified targets at present time by using two thirds of what is available of the special weapon (the Sarin agent) in addition to one third of what is available of the special ammunition (the Mustard agent) with the balance to keep and use in case of emergency at the operations sites.

    (B) Second Option: To defer the attack until mid of April 1987, when the amounts of the special weapons are available and the production has improved.

    We are in favor of the first option. The correspondence was signed by defendant (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri). The Office of the President - the Secretary replied with a Top Secret, Personal and Urgent correspondence Ref No. (SATTS 953/965/K) dated 1987 March 29, which contains the following: the approval was given for the strike to be carried out on condition that we must capitalize on the results. For your action and prior coordination with the competent Corps. We must be notified in advance of the time the strike is carried out.

    (2) The Crime Instrument (Unexploded round and bomb fragments)

    In light of the on-site probe this court has carried out in the below-mentioned villages affected by the chemical attack the Iraqi regime had launched:

    (A) The village of Barjini, of the Mangish Sub-District, the villages of Ikmala and Shiranah, of Al-'Imadiyyah District.

    (B) (The villages of Balisan, Tutma, Khati, Shaykh Wasanan close to the main road, of Chuwar Qurna and Khalifan).

    (C) (The villages of Takya , Balak Jar and Siwsinan) of the Qara Dagh Sub-District.

    (D) (The villages of Gup Tapa and 'Askar) of the Aghjalar Sub-District.

    (E) As well as others of the populated Kurdish villages that was inspected.

    Dozens of unexploded bombs and missiles were found in those villages; the majority of which were designed to carry special ammunitions or chemical canisters. The toxic substances and chemicals were manufactured with the help of a Dutch expert (France Vanan Rad) (TC: the name must be verified for accuracy) known as (Faris Rashid) after he received the Iraqi citizenship. The use of chemical weapons against the populated areas such as the villages and the concentrations of the population as it occurred in Kurdistan is evidence by it self that demonstrates the intent of the perpetrators to commit the crime of genocide.

    (2) The report by the International Expert Doctor (Isfandyar Ahmad Shukri)

    The report of the International Expert and member of Doctors for Human Rights, submitted to this court on 2006 November 29, contains the following: on 1988 August 25; that is Seventeen days to the day the Iraq-Iran War had come to an end, Iraqi warplanes, flying on low altitude, attacked the valley of villages of (Ikmala, Haysi and Baljan), of the Kani-Masi Sub-District using the Chemical Weapons that led to the killing of large number of the residents, animals, livestock and poultry; causing a large number of them suffering from the following symptoms:

    • Eyes irritation, copious secretions/tearing
    • Irritation and blistering of the skin
    • Dyspnea and difficulty in breathing
    • Complications and related-problems in the digestive system

    In addition, the afore-mentioned expert stated to this Court that the symptoms observed on the exposed persons in (Diyar-Bakr) and (Mardin) refugee camps are the same symptoms diagnosed by the physicians upon examining those who were exposed to the Chemical weapons used by the Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

    (4) Medical reports issued by International Committees

    In reviewing the third volume of the investigation papers; pages (474 to 490), it becomes clearer to the court that the below-mentioned Kurdish citizens:

    • [NAME REDACTED] - born on 1967 February 01
    • [NAME REDACTED]- born on 1963 May 08
    • [NAME REDACTED]- born on 1964 May 25
    • [NAME REDACTED]- born on 1965 March 18
    • [NAME REDACTED]- born on 1963 May 16

    had severe wounds as a result of the Chemical attack against the villages of the Kurdistan region. Their situation was so serious that the Humanitarian Organization had to send them to the Federal Republic of Germany for treatment. It had been proven as result of the medical treatment from the medical committees in Germany, that the injured were exposed to chemical weapons, specially (Mustard Gas), as included in the medical reports attached with the case documents.

    In addition, the testimony of the eye-witnesses, [NAME REDACTED], provided their testimony to your honorable Court. They treated hundreds of Kurdish village's inhabitants affected by the chemical weapons.

    5) Court's on-site probe's reports

    On 2006 November 22, your Court issued order to conduct on-site probe of the village exposed to the premeditated chemical attacks by the Iraqi Army. The Court found remnants of the tubular-launchers or launchers from the bombardment by fighter jets or helicopters, on the civil villages in the three governorates of (Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil, Duhuk) in addition to the reports provided by experts in the chemical sciences, assured the existence of chemical weapon's traces, mainly the Mustard Gas and Sarin Gas.

    6) Testimonies of the witnesses and statements of the plaintiffs

    It becomes clear to your honorable Court after reviewing investigation records and court records related to this case, that materialistic evidence, written statements and official documents submitted to your Court, during the trial session, are matching with the witness testimonies and plaintiffs statements submitted to your Court. We will submit for example:

    1- The plaintiff ([NAME REDACTED]) in the fourth session on 2006 September 11, she assured that she saw four Iraqi aircraft type Sukhoi, launching chemical bombs in the (Gali-Siwa) area, which led to kill each of ([NAME REDACTED]) and her sons ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]). In addition and to kill comrade [NAME REDACTED]who is a leading person in the Iraqi Communist Party. This was confirmed by the document number, M1/ Sec 3/Div 2/ 13022 dated 1987 June 15.

    2- Plaintiff ([NAME REDACTED]) in the fourth session dated 2006 September 11, as he stated on 1987 September 3, the ('Arbat, Darbarula) villages were chemically stroke.

    3- Plaintiff ([NAME REDACTED]) in the same session stated his brothers ([NAME REDACTED]) died as a result of the chemical attack on their village 'Azaban.

    4- Both witnesses ([NAME REDACTED]) and ([NAME REDACTED]) from (Gup Tapa) village related to the (Aghjalar) area, both assured that their village was exposed to chemical attack. To mention, the aforementioned village is extremely far from the Iranian border and it is close to (Chamchamal).

    5- In addition to dozens of eyewitness and testimonies confirmed that the Iraqi Army exposed their villages to chemical strikes. Moreover, more than 76 plaintiffs and witnesses confirmed to your Court, that their villages were affected with chemical strikes which killed a large number of civilians. They all confirmed that there was no headquarters for the (Pishmarga) and they did not see any of the Khumainy Gurds, did not hear of any existence of Iranian Army personnel or the Pasdar (T.C: Iranian revolutionary Guards) in that area. Therefore, the Defending Committee (attorneys) for Victims Rights confirms to your court the following issues:

    The General Military Intelligence Directorate had the leading rule, in planning for the crime of using chemical weapons in Kurdistan region. The convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri), is the one who was trusted by convict (Saddam Hussein) and he was the first Secret Supervisor of the program of using chemical weapons in Iraq. His allegations that he mentioned to your honorable Court are absolutely false; therefore his criminal act of using the internationally prohibited chemical weapons against the civil inhabitants of the peaceful Kurdish villages, is an act that (Saddam Hussein) was accomplished with support of the following convicts:

    - Convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid): since he is the First Responsible Person of the Northern Organization Office, as he clearly admitted in audio tapes his insistence on using chemical weapons once, twice and even ten times,. He cursed all the oppositions, including the International Community and he admitted in session (35) that he is not regretting his deeds.

    - Convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri), who is the direct supervisor on planning and preparing for the crime of using chemical weapons against the civil inhabitants, in order to perpetrate the crime of genocide.

    - Convict (Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti): is the actual participant in planning and implementing, as he was Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations Affaires. He participated in meetings of the General Command of the Armed Forces and Presided over meetings of the Military Command in Kirkuk. This command was charged with planning the Anfal operations, according to documents. He ordered the Military units including the 1st and 5th Corps to execute the orders of the accused (Saddam Hussein) regarding the usage of chemical weapons and he was an important element in laying down the military plans.

    - Convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad): The 1st Corps Commander, the actual On-field Commander for operations in the Kurdistan region who requested along with the 5th Corps Commander to use chemical weapons against the civil inhabitants in the Kurdish villages, according to the official documents issued by the Army Chiefs of Staff and the Presidency of the Republic. Convict (Saddam Hussein) awarded him with four medals of bravery, granted him the Alias of Al- Anfal Hero, honoring him for his heroic rule in killing Kurdish civilians and for relocating the remaining Kurds from their villages, destroying villages, farms and removing them. Moreover, his criminal intents are clear in the telegram he submitted to the President of the Republic at that time.

    - Convict (Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi), The Eastern Zone Intelligence System's Director who participated in planning for the Chemical strikes through his letters and his military security reports that were adopted by the General Military Intelligence and were submitted to the Presidency of the Republic. He also supervised the Intelligence Units that participated in Al-Anfal, by relocating villagers, detaining them and handing them over to the Security Committees at the concentration camps of Anfalized (whom are missing). In addition, he supervised destroying, demolishing and flattening the villages.

    - Convict (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani), who played a main rule in circulating and executing the decree number (4008), dated 1987 June 20, according to which, dozens of the peaceful villagers were executed. Based on that, acts of the aforementioned convicts are forming the genocide crime as they used weapons of mass destruction to murder members of the Kurdish ethnicity in several areas of Kurdistan.

    Second: Genocide Crimes by Military operations:

    As an implementation for the organized plan of eradicating the Kurdish ethnicity, and in order to carry it on; the now defunct Revolution Command Council held a joint meeting with the State Command of the Ba'th Party, requested by (Saddam Hussein) on 1987 March 18, in the presence of the Army Chief of Staff accused (Nazar Al-Khazraji), the General Military Intelligence Director accused ( Sabir Al-Duri), and Army Chief of Staff Deputy for operations accused (Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti),. In this meeting it was decided to lay down the plan of the genocide against the Kurdish nation with all types of conventional and chemical weapons under the slogan of countering rebellions from the agents of Iran (T.C:PUK) and the off springs of treason (T.C: KDP) and also to end the Kurdish problem for ever. In light of the meeting, the Revolutionary Command Council issued decree number (160) on 29 Mar 1987, and the following was carried out in accordance to it:

    1- Considering the Autonomous Ruling Area of the Iraqi Kurdistan security and military locked, and prohibited area.

    2- Appointing the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid), Member of the State Command in the bygone Ba'th Party, as the official in charge of the Northern Organization Office including the Kurdistan Autonomous Ruling Region in order to present their policies, which is the policy of the bygones Revolutionary Command Council and the State Command of the Ba'th Party. Right after his appointment the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid started his new post and took (Kirkuk) City as his headquarters carrying the decree number (160) for the year 1987, that contain plenipotentiary over the army, internal security forces, party and other security systems and in order to execute the genocide plan, he decided:

    1st- Forming security committees in the following governorates (Diyala, Kirkuk, (Irbil), Sulaymaniyyah, Dahuk, Ninawa, Salah-al-Din), headed by the governor and the membership of Security Director, Police Director, Secretariat of the party's branch and representatives from the General Military Intelligence Directorate and the Iraqi Intelligence Service (according to the attached chart number 4) that was enclosed and its mission was specified by the following:

    1- Carrying out instruction of the Northern Organization Office by implementing the genocide plan against the Kurdish nation

    2- Supervising the relocation, demolition and eradication of villages and towns

    3- Security supervision over all the Kurdish cities and arresting any person suspicious of being an inhabitant of the flattened villages.

    4- Receiving detained families from the military troops and transferring them to Anfalized collection centers in (Tupzawa, Dibs, Chamchamal, Nazarki Fort and Salamiyyah).

    5- Preventing Kurds from entering their farms for plowing and farming, and incase of finding any person investigate him and kill him immediately without any trial

    6- Arresting families of the Pishmarga and sending them to Anfalized collection centers aiming to distribute them on mass graves or sending them to death centers in Nuqrat Al-Salman.

    7- Carrying out execution against any person suspicious of having direct or indirect relation with Pishmarga members.

    8- Intensifying economic siege on areas from where villages have been eradicated, and prohibiting entrance and exit of anything including food, fuel and medicine

    9- Preventing courts from reviewing cases related to the locations included in the Al-Anfal Campaign and avoiding cases related to the relocated families and allowing only after an approval from the security committees

    10- Set a complete plan by every security committee for its geographic borders and prepare requirements such as staff and vehicles in order to receive Kurdish families from the army and intelligence according to the designated plan.

    11- Allocating necessary expenses for each security committee in the governorate

    12- Obligating all security committees in the governorate to establish similar sub-security committees in districts and sub-districts that fall in their geographic boundaries.

    13- Granting full authorities to the security committees to punish any employee who procrastinate orders where the punishment could reach immediate execution in the case of collaborating with or covering up for the relocated individuals.

    2nd - Forming a special military command in Kirkuk, assigned to execute the detailed military plan for Al-Anfal operations. According to the documents that came into sight, a meeting was held in Kirkuk attended by a majority of the military commanders, especially the fugitive convict (Nazar Al-Khazraji), convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) Chief of the 1st Corps, convict (Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti), convict (Farhan Mutlak Salih Al-Juburi), convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri) and others.

    3rd - Freezing laws including Penal Codes and criminal procedure law implemented in Kurdistan as per the authorities granted to the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) in the last passage of the decree number 160 in the year 1987, of the bygone Revolutionary Command Council and considering his written and verbal directions and orders as legislative laws according to circular number (4008), dated 20 Jun 1987 and issued by the Northern Organization Office.

    Stages of Al-Anfal Operations as shown in schedule in pages (53-108), are as follows:

    The First Stage of the Anfal Operation Started from 09 Feb 1988 until 23 Feb 1988

    Geography of Crime Scene

    In the (Sargalu and Bargalu) mountainous area in Surdash, sub-district of the Dukan district and the areas neighboring it, consists of (150) villages spread out in tough uneven mountainous valleys. This valley is called Jafayati and the following forces had participated in that major crime under the command of convict (Sultan Hashim Ahmad).

    The 1st Corps

    1- The 38th Infantry Division ('Umar Bin 'Abd-al-'Aziz Forces) is constituted of the 18th Infantry Brigade, 447th Infantry Brigade, 130th Infantry Brigade, Tanks Battalion and Commandoes Regiment.

    2- The 5th Mechanized Division (Muhammad Al-Qasim Forces) is constituted of the 15th and 21st Infantry Brigade, 20th Mechanized Infantry and the 2nd Armored Brigade.

    3- The 2nd Artillery Infantry Division (Al-Muthanna Forces) is constituted of the 22nd Infantry Brigade, 48th Infantry Brigade and the 44th Infantry Brigade.

    4- The 2nd Infantry Division (Khalid Bin Al-Walid) is constituted of 4th Infantry Brigade and the 36th Infantry Brigade.

    5- Three brigades from the Republican Guard with all its advanced equipment.

    6- Badr Forces

    7- The 4th Infantry Division (Al-Qa'qa')

    8- 33rd Division

    9- Al-Mu'tasim Forces

    10- Other participating units: (Chemical ranks, Army Aviation, Air Force, and combat units which are the 5th Corps, engineering efforts in eradicating villages, special combat efforts in opening routes and mountainous passageways, and military intelligence units.)

    The Criminal Plan

    On 6-7-8 Feb 1987, the military units laid a siege to the crime scene in (Sargalu and Bargalu), with areas and villages belonging to it, from three directions, the north, south and west, and on 2 o'clock in the rainy and cold night of 23 Feb 1988, some of the Kurdish villagers woke up due to explosions of rocket launchers and long range artillery especially in the (Yakhsamar and Sargalu) villages where there was concentrated bombardment until early morning. In the dawn of 23 Feb the helicopters and jetfighters completed the specified targets in that location, and bombed any target which was moving targets, no matter whether the target was a human or an animal. Then the military units moved towards Sargalu and the civilian inhabitants started leaving their houses for caves due to the fear of chemical and conventional bombardment. The offense remained for several days and the army blockaded the villages. The families were gathered in villages' squares by the direct supervision of the intelligence and names of villagers were recorded. After this, they were transferred by military vehicles to the (Chamchamal and Al-Sulaymaniyyah) Camps. From there they were transferred to the Anfalized Collection Center in (Tupzawa), which is a camp related to the Popular Army under the direct supervision of the security committee in the Al-Sulaymaniyyah governorate. The women were separated from children and adults without food, drink, or medical service and received harsh treatment from individuals affiliated with the security committees of the General Security Directorate and the General Military Intelligence Directorate, waiting their unfortunate fate. Please, look into the attached graph number (7) related to the transfer of Kurdish prisoners.

    And after the transfer of families and looting of the village, the engineering effort grouping with the military forces, demolished and exploded homes, schools and mosques in the affected villages, and leveled all to the ground. Additionally, the springs, wells and other water sources were filled up, and mines were laid on the villages' borders which were considered prohibited. After this, the Eastern Intelligence System marked the village in the operations room's maps as eradicated and its report was referred to the General Military Intelligence Directorate.

    A large number of villagers fled to the areas adjacent to the Iraqi-Iranian border, to include those fearing death, especially, after hearing news of their relatives and the unfortunate fate of those who surrendered to the army, but the regime with the Eastern Intelligence System's arrangements widely announced amnesty through circulars written in Kurdish and Arabic. This was distributed using airplanes to all who wanted to surrender to the army. As a matter of fact, many of those families responded and surrendered to the sectors that were there, but they encountered the same aforementioned unfortunate destiny.

    Firstly: the proving evidence of the Al-Anfal First Crime The General Prosecutor has presented before your Honorable Court dozens of convincing documents which undoubtedly prove that Saddam Hussein and the defendants who appear before you, committed the disgraceful Al-Anfal Operations according to a previously schemed methodological plan. And among these documents:

    1- The Revolutionary Command Council Decree No. 160 dated 29 March 987.

    2- The letter No. 4008 dated 20 June 987 issued by the Northern Organization Office, signed by the defendant 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and generalized by the defendant Tahir Tawfiq, which includes the Scorched Earth Policy in Kurdistan and the execution of every arrested Kurdish who were (15-70) years without trial.

    3- Dozens of military documents-which were presented before your Court-were issued by the General Military Command and the Chief of Army Staff to strike the Kurdish Villages with conventional weapons (and the special ammunition) i.e. the chemical weapon.

    4- Audiovisual clips of the defendants.

    5- The documents issued by the two Intelligence Eastern Organizations which proved that the army destroyed all the villages, with the direct management of the Intelligence Personnel.

    6- The Document U 3/Q 2/ 4122 date 01 March 1988, issued by the Intelligence Eastern Organization signed by the defendant Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi and addressed to the Third Intelligence Section, proves the use of the special ammunition with aircrafts. Around (100-120) were killed or wounded among the saboteurs and the residents of the targeted villages in Al-Anfal First and Second Operations.

    Secondly: admissions of the defendants in the investigation and Prosecution stages

    The defendant ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) has admitted: before your Respected Court many times that he was the responsible of the Al-Anfal Operations and that he put them all in effect with their details; he also told in the Session (33) that he is not regretful concerning what he did, on the contrary, he did it as a national duty. He said verbally (if I am back in the authority, I'll do it again). The defendant (Sultan Hashim Ahmad): has admitted before the Investigation Judges that he managed the first stage of the Al-Anfal Operation and he boasted in that role which he considered as a heroic one. He also admitted that he carried out the orders of the defendant 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and all the military orders of his superiors, whether a legitimate order or not (page 8181 of the case file). As a result, he was honored by the Presidency of the Republic with his accomplice, the escaping defendant (Ayad Khalil Zaki) according to the document no. (A/14-57) dated 05 April 1988, issued by the Secretariat of the General Command of the Armed Forces.

    The defendant (Husayn Rashid Muhammad Al-Tikriti) has admitted: during the investigation and prosecution that he occupied the position of the Army Chief of Staff Deputy Commander for a long period, Member of the Iraqi Armed Forces General Command; and that he participated in planning and implementing Al-Anfal Operations, for being a honorable military operation that defends the nation against the Iranian Forces intervention.

    The admissions of the defendant (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri): were clear and frank during the investigation and Prosecution, as he confirmed before your Respected Court that the documents presented by the General Prosecution are signed by him and he denied only two documents. Whereas, after making a comparison of the signatures, it appeared that the denied signature was one of his. He also confirmed before the Respected Court that Iraq was producing chemical weapons and the Regime already handed the rest of it over to the United Nations Committees after the Kuwait invasion war.

    The defendant (Farhan Mutlak Salih Al-Juburi): the Director of the Eastern Intelligence System. It was undoubtedly clear that his inciting role was prominent and that the document No. (4122) dated 01 March 1988, directed to the General Intelligence included serious and seditious information. This document which comprises (22) information clauses, provokes the Armed Forces General Command for taking quick military measures in the Kurdistan Province. Because the Kurdish Commands began their cooperation with the Iranian Army and the Khomeini Guard, as a preparation to invade the Northern Area and gain a power over the dam of Dukan and Darbandi Khan, bringing the frogmen for this purpose. Immediately after that, the General Command speeded up their Anfalization and extermination program against the Kurdish people.

    The defendant (Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani): was the Secretary of the Northern Organization Office. With his responsible and sensitive security position, he generalized the Decree of the Northern Organization Office No. (4008) dated 20 June 1987 issued by the defendant ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid), which includes the execution of the Kurdish Villagers of ages between (15-70) years without trial. Following this Decree, thousands of Kurdish people were executed. He also occupied the position of Ninawa Governor and became the Chief of the Security Committee there; he also ruled the Center of the Anfalized people in Al-Salamiyyah. Moreover, thousands of families were buried in the Al-Hadir Area which belongs to his Governorate. The ('Aqarah and Al-Shaykhan) counties belong to his Governorate as well; and the 8th Al-Anfal crime was carried out there, hundreds of Kurdish villages were destroyed and the residents were relocated and killed according to the mentioned Decree No. (4008); he was also an active accomplice in the genocide crime like his partners.

    Third: International experts' reports:

    The American expert ([NAME REDACTED]) presented his photographed report as an anthropologist and specialized in the forensic medicine during the 26th session on 2006 November 30, where he clarified for the Court that the 3 graves were mass graves and they have never been disinterred before him. It was proved by the data collected from the 2nd Ninawa grave, by which the expert clarified that he got the following facts:

    A- The remains of 123 individuals were found all of whom had been shot dead B- The remains of (25) adult females were diagnosed. C- The remains of (98) kids were less than 13 years old. The international expert mentioned that the victims of the 1st group were handcuffed with ropes and their heads were bending to the east and lied down one after the other. The other group was shot dead while they were on the other edge of the grave. He also showed, a photo of a woman aged (30-40) years, that was pregnant during her execution and a photo of a child covered with a blanket and encompassed in his mother's lap aged (6-12) months. His skull was hit with bullets. The victim's clothes were Kurdish.

    • (69%) of them were blindfolded.
    • (69%) were hit on their heads
    • (72%) were hit in their vertebras
    • (66%) were hit in hands and legs

    The expert indicated that he found many identity copies and documents belonging to the residents of the villages where the 1st Al-Anfal was carried out in the Surdash Area. He took an oath that he found the identity copies in the graves when he opened them.

    Fourth: victims' medical reports:

    1- The plaintiff [NAME REDACTED], born in 1960, stated that after the Halabja bombardment with chemical weapons on 1988 March 16, they withdrew from their position for the civilians safety. On 1988 March 20, they arrived to the destroyed Shanakhsi Village and on 1988 March 22, aircrafts flew around (Mawat, Dashti, Awa, Kani Bardi, Qashan) areas and bombed them with chemical weapons by which the plaintiff's companion ([NAME REDACTED]) martyred. In the afternoon of the same day, the Iraqi military aircrafts bombed them again for the second time, both of ([NAME REDACTED]), [NAME REDACTED]and ([NAME REDACTED]) martyred.

    He also saw the bodies of kids, women and old men killed by chemical weapons. Moreover, my client was injured in his eyes and body, lost his consciousness and was transferred to Al-Khumayni Hospital in Asfahan, where he stayed for 6 months suffering the tortures and pain, according to his description of himself and to the medical reports which were shown before your respected Court. (20) people died in that hospital. Furthermore, the infected people were suffering, among them was ([NAME REDACTED]), who is the governor of Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate. The check-ups proved that he was infected by the chemical weapon and he is suffering from allergies during the heat and high light. His lungs were infected and he lost one of them; that is mentioned in the medical report attached to his case folder. He also complained against the convict (Frans Fan Ann Rad), who is Swiss by origin and a Dutch citizen, he is a chemical weapons merchandiser who was sentenced by the Lahay Court to 15 years of imprisonment. The attorney showed a copy of the sentence decision No 9/751003/04 issued in 2005 December 23 pursuant to Articles 57-48 of the Dutch Criminal Law and by virtue of Article No. 8 of War Crimes Law.

    2- Also there are dozens of medical reports regarding the infected by the weapons of mass destruction, especially mustard gas, which are attached with the case folder.

    Fifth: The testimonial proofs and plaintiffs statements

    For Example:

    1- The plaintiffs ([NAME REDACTED]), stated in the 5th session on 2006 September 12, in the 6th session on 2006 September 14, in the 7th session on 2006 September 14 and 10th session 2006 September 20 where their villages were attacked by the chemical weapons. During the attack many were killed and the rest ran to the borders.

    2- The plaintiff ([NAME REDACTED]) from Maluma village, stated in the 6th session on 2006 September 13 that his sons ([NAME REDACTED]) were subject to the crime of the forcible harboring and their destiny is unknown until now.

    3- The plaintiff ([NAME REDACTED]) stated in the 8th session on 2006 September 18 that her village Sarmurd that belongs to Dukan County, was attacked with chemical weapons launched by planes and artillery. The army also burned her village and arrested them and then transferred them to Qal'at Susi. They took her husband and her sons ([NAME REDACTED]) and her mother-in-law ([NAME REDACTED]) to the (Tupzawa) complex and stayed one night. They were then separated to a place. Their identifications and personal things were found in Al-Hadar graveyard in Ninawa Governorate.

    4- Whereas ([NAME REDACTED]), from the Dula Bi Village, who was present during the disaster.. .stated in the 10th session on 2006 September 20 that his village was attacked by air bombardment and artillery, the fact that forced them to run to the Iranian border with his father. After 10 days they surrendered to the Iraqi forces in the (Suni) Village and they were transferred by IVA military vehicles with 9 other families to the (Chuwar Qurna) Division. They stayed there for 10 days and were transferred to (Tupzawa) and stayed there for 10 days. Then his father and his brother [NAME REDACTED]transferred to the (Nuqrat Al-Salman) detention camp and stayed for 6 months and 15 days. He clarified that the only reason for their detention was because they were Kurdish and that he never committed any crime. The detention camp was supervised by Arab soldiers.

    Second stage of Al-Anfal operation in Qara Dagh Area From 1988 March 22 to 1988 April 01

    The crime scene geography:

    The Regime selected Qara Dagh as a target for the 2nd Anfal operation targeting the Kurdish people who lived in their ancestors' villages expanding 70 miles to the Eastern South by the (Gila Zarda) mountains and Al-Sulaymaniyyah City and from the Eastern South (Darbandakhan dam), Also from the west (Basara mountains and Nakaw Area) occurred by dozens of villages like( Baha, Balak Jar, Siwsinan, Takya, 'Alyawa, Mirat and Qara Dagh center and others).

    The military plan included the formation of civil command called as (organized headquarter) for the 2nd Al-Anfal operation in Qara Dagh Area under command of Staff Major General (Ayad Khalil Zaki) the commander of the 2nd Corps which is known as (Al-Yarmuk Forces) and with the participation of the following units:

    1- 15th Infantry Division, Al-Faruq Forces which comprises:

      A- 436th Infantry Brigade
      B- 14th Infantry Brigade
      C- 76th Infantry Brigade
      D- Tank Battalion

    2- 34th Infantry Division, Al-Harith Forces combined of:

      A- 502nd Infantry Brigade
      B- 504th Infantry Brigade
      C- 90th Infantry Brigade
      D- Tank Battalion

    3- 3rd Armored Division (Salah-al-Din Forces) combined of:

      A- 8th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
      B- 12th Armored Brigade
      C- 6th Armored Brigade
      D- Commandos Regiment

    4- (50th) Division under the command of the Brigadier General Zuhayr Yunis 'Ali.

    5- Command of regrouped light forces (T.C: National Defense Regiments) / under command of Staff Brigadier General Sa'd Shams-al-Din.

    6- 1st Forces Command

    7- 3rd National Regrouped forces Command

    8- Qara Dagh Sector Command

    9- Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergency Force

    Also other units participated like:

      A- The Chemical Ranks
      B- Army Aviation
      C- Air Force
      D- Engineering Effort charged of destroying the villages.
      E- Party Effort specialized in opening roads and mountain's paths.
      F- Military Intelligence Units.

    The Criminal Plan:

    On 1988 March 22 military units moved to the their planned targets to surround the (Qara Dagh) Area to execute the military plan of the Army Forces General Command and Chief of Army Staff under the direct command of (Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti)

    The crime executing:

    - Chemical Bombardment:

    At 18:30 hours sharp, on 1988 March 22, fighter jets bombed the villages of Gumata, Hastawi, Upper Kushka, Balak Jar, Takya and the big village Siwsinan located in Qara Dagh area, with conventional weapons. After, the military forces raided those aforementioned villages with chemical weapons via Rocket Launchers, long-range artillery forcing the inhabitants to run for their lives.

    Carrying out the crime via land attack:

    Then, the military forces launched, on 1988 March 29, a large scale attack from all available axes at Qara Dagh, intensively supported by Air Force, army aviation, tanks and armors, leading to a dislocation of inhabitants (from their villages), fleeing away, leaving behind all their belongings. The slopes and valleys had been suffocated by panicked people, especially after spreading news about Siwsinan, Balak Jar, and Takya being bombed by chemicals delivering a large death toll. One of the survived plaintiff's (from Jafaran village) described before this court that the situation was identical to Armageddon. On the other side, security forces at Al-Sulaymaniyyah, as well as the military intelligence forces affiliated to the Eastern Zone System, seized all passages leading to Al-Sulaymaniyyah and nearby compounds preventing the refuge of inhabitants, as they arrested any one found. Under these circumstances, villagers of Qara Dagh were dislocated to many groups:

    1- The First Group:

    The biggest group had moved toward southern Qara Dagh, toward Garmiyan precisely, as most of them were villagers from south and eastern Darbandi Khan. From the moment they had been arrested by the army, their relatives never saw them again, as they were transferred to Chamchamal Camp. From this location, they were handed over to security committees to be placed at Tupzawa and Dibs Centers for Anfalized where men had been segregated from women, elderly from youngsters as each group took its bite of black fate according to a framed plan laid down by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. Some were taken with their children to mass graves at Al-Hadar and Al-Samawah, [both enclosed in case's file on pages 678-679]. Others were thrown in death camps at Nuqrat Al-Salman [their testimonies recorded in third and fourth volume of the Compaq Disk (CD)].

    2- The Second Group

    They surrendered to the Government forces and faced the same pattern used in the above section.

    3- Third Group

    They secretly infiltrated Al-Sulaymaniyyah and nearby residential compounds such as Al-Sumud or Pira Magrun. However, the security systems (Intelligence and Security) laid down a plan to entrap them as they announced, via loud speakers and leaflets distributed all over Al-Sulaymaniyyah Governorate, that a General Amnesty has been issued regarding each surrendered person, adding up offering them shelter [in the same residential compounds] and food supplies. Both men and women started heading toward declared centers as each neighborhood elementary school had been used as a gathering center. All were arrested, dislocated, and their fates remain anonymous.

    The mentioned list, starting page 75, elaborated the committed crimes during Al Anfal Second Operation [Qara Dagh Anfal]:

    The Second Anfal Operation was carried out at Qara Dagh, between 1988 March 22 and 1988 April 01. The convicts standing before you perpetrated many crimes which can be categorized as follow:

    First: Genocide

    1- At 18:30 hours, on 1988 March 22, the Iraqi forces bombed the villages of Balak Jar, Siwsinan, Jafaran, Balkha Lower Kushak, and 'Alyawa, among other villages located in Qara Dagh, with chemical weapons using artillery and multiple rocket launchers [MRL], from Tangaru and Kuran Camps in Darbandi Khan, as well as Kani Sard Camp, causing the death of hundreds of citizens [men, women, and children], exterminating the animal wealth, poultry and bees in that area. Due to the fact that chemical weapons are internationally forbidden, its usage against residential villages is a proof of the convicts' determination to murder and eradicate all existing inhabitants within this area through genocide. Therefore, the basics of genocide are applicable over the described act, in an unquestionable way, with a solemn aim: to totally eradicate through inhabitants of Kurdish villages.

    2- Murdering group members: Where the military units' Armed Forces, which participated in leading Al Anfal Second Operation under the leadership of the fugitive Staff Major General Ayad Khalil Zaki, attacked, while coordinating with the security systems, villages in Qara Dagh Neighborhood. They gathered families and transferred them to Tupzawa Gathering Center, to murder a ghoulish number [estimated more than 21911 Kurdish citizens between men, children and women] in Mass Graves. Hence, Genocide basics are bright as the sky through carrying on Al Anfal Second Operation, between 1988 March 22 and 1988 April 01. Convicts, along with their henchmen from officers, soldiers, and internal security forces' members had committed many other crimes, including:

    A. Transferring and dislocating citizens of Kurdish villages at Qara Dagh, detaining them at Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp, cutting off basic food supplies such as potable water, prohibiting treatment for ills, psychologically and physically torturing and subduing them, deliberately, to harsh living conditions, aiming to partially or totally eradicate them.

    B. Torture, ravage, and organized terror against detained and arrested villagers, exposing them to serious mental and physical damages, constituting acts of genocide.

    C. Segregating women and men, preventing sexual reproaches, in large numbers and for long periods exceeding nine months, constituting an act of Genocide

    Second: Crimes against humanity

    Through direct criminal acts committed by convicts, orders issued on their behalf, or contributing in one of the crime's basics resulting from Al-Anfal operations, convicts have committed crimes against humanity through a large scale and systematic attack, targeting inhabitants of Kurdish villages in Qara Dagh, under acknowledgement of such violent attack.

    1- Premeditated murder without trial

    2- Coercive dislocation of Kurds from their villages to residential compounds, subduing them to harsh living conditions.

    3- Detention and extreme deprivation as it happened in the Anfalized gathering centers of Tupzawa, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergency Center, Dibs, and Nuqrat Al-Salman.

    4- Torture, as it had been implemented by Officer Hajjaj, and his deputy Shamkhi, in Nuqrat Al-Salman and Tupzawa Camp

    5- Rape at Nuqrat Al-Salman, by the abovementioned Hajjaj and Shamkhi

    6- Oppressing inhabitants of Kurdish villages in Qara Dagh for being of Kurdish origins

    7- Forced harboring of the Anfalized in Al Anfal Second Operation

    Third: War Crimes

    Though Iraq joined the Geneva Convention dated on 1949 August 12, pledging commitment to all articles pertaining to war crimes, as well as not perpetrating such crimes, the country's record was black dotted as per crimes of external war or launched against internal opposition movements. By inspecting the acts carried out by soldiers and officers who were subordinated by the convicts standing before your court, it becomes clear that they committed acts considered as crimes per Article [13] of this court's Code, including:

    1- Premeditated murder of detainees and arrestees without trial
    2- Torture and inhuman treatment
    3- Demolishing villages and looting properties
    4- Other acts committed by the Army and Security Forces

    Crime scene geographical factor

    The third Al Anfal operation was carried in Garmiyan located in Kirkuk, Tuz, Khurmatu, Kifri, Takya, southern Darbandi Khan, and Chamchamal where no Prohibition Zones or Kurdish resistance [known by the previous regime as Kurdish Rebels or Iran's Agents and offspring of treason - Al-Barzani clan] are available. These villages were hundreds of kilometers away from the Iranian borders, taken as safe villages where its inhabitants perform farming and animals' breeding. Elementary and secondary schools, clinics, mosques in addition to an agronomic directorate are found, all administered by official government's systems. The inhabitants also assisted the Iraqi army in the Iraq-Iran war, why did the regime carry out his brutal crime and eradicated them? With no guilt except being Kurds! Planning for Al Anfal Third Operation was set down a long time ago, correlated closely to the Arabization of Kirkuk and its rural administrative districts.

    Military Forces contributing to the crime

    First: Second Corps forces commanded by General Kamil Sajit, constituted of:

    1- 15th Infantry Division
    2- 34th Infantry Division
    3- The 3rd Mechanized Armored Division

    Second: First Corps Forces commanded by Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad, constituted of:

    1- Light Legion Forces commanded by Major General Sa'd Shams-al-Din (T.C: The Command of National Defense regiments of Kurdish Mustashars and their followers)
    2- 10th Armored Division commanded by Major General Khalid Al-Dulaymi
    3- Oil protection forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah
    4- 1st Corps' Posts Commandment commanded by Major General Mundhir Ibrahim

    Third: Engineering Efforts in destroying villages

    Fourth: Intelligence Army Staff Commission affiliated to Corps and Divisions

    Five: Chemical Rank

    Sixth: Army Aviation

    Seventh: Air Force

    Eight: Security Units belonging to Kirkuk and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Forces

    Crime's execution:

    At the first daylight of 1988 April 07, the army units, which were grouped at Tuz Khurmatu County, moved followed by additional forces from Kirkuk, Balan (T.C: most probably Maydan), Chamchamal, and Sangaw where all had been mobilized at Qadir Karam Town, as per plan, dividing the column into 3 forces:

    1- First Force: deployed at eastside of Nawjul toward Awasi

    2- Second Force: deployed east along the river's sand valley, supported by an Air umbrella of jetfighters and helicopters which intensively raided villages located within their targets.

    3- Third Force: Launched a vicious assault on Taza Shar village which was exposed to a chemical strike by air force, besieging the three villages, Upper Kani Qadir [Al-'Ulya], Lower Kani Qadir [Al-Sufla] and Shaykh Hamid, located in the aforementioned area. After arresting those villages' inhabitants, looting their properties and transferring them, via military vehicles, to Qadir Karam and then to Tupzawa gathering center, the whole zone had been ruined down. The second column deployed at Qadir Karam town, toward the northern west side, encircling villages like Ibrahim Ghulam, pushing the residents to abandon their houses to take refuge in nearby hills. All those refugees turned themselves back to the army and 51 from Zangana clan disappeared. As of the third column, it deployed toward Sangaw and Chamchamal destroying all villages within its scope, arresting escapee families who were scattered in the valleys, referring them to Qadir Karam police station, and then to the Center for Anfalized (T.C: the people subdued to Anfal operations) in Tupzawa. These villages included Tibarz and Pari Zada reaching Takya Al-Jabari and Bangul till Laylan.

    In the morning of 1988 April 20, the last village was destroyed in Garmiyan, known as Faqi Mustafa where almost all its inhabitants were detained. The Iraqi Forces returned back to their bases reporting all missions were accomplished, as per telegram numbered [11386], dated 1988 April 21, issued by Second Corps Intelligence to Northern Organization Office. As a conclusion, villages were destroyed, wiped out, and eradicated from inhabitants who were driven to an anonymous fate.

    Crimes committed in Al Anfal Third Operations

    First: Genocide

    1- Murdering groups' members: Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]testified in the 13th hearing, dated 2006 October 09, that his pregnant wife along with his mother ([NAME REDACTED]), small children and relatives were arrested in Tiligan village. This village, which is consisted of 30 families, was totally anfalized and eradicated. The plaintiff's brother's Nuri identity card of his sister's 'Ismat were found in Al-Muthanna Cemetery down at Al-Samawah. 2- Through executing Al Anfal Third Operations, convicts and their henchmen, from officers, soldiers and internal security forces affiliates, committed many crimes, including:

    A. Dislocating and relocating a large number of Kurdish villages' inhabitants, from Garmiyan, detaining them at Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp, as it had been reassured by more than 15 plaintiffs before your court.

    B. Torture, tyranny, and organized terror; as detainees and arrestees had been exposed to mental and physical severe damages.

    Among those, plaintiff's [[NAME REDACTED]] husband who had been partially paralyzed and his daughter murdered.

    C. Segregating women and men, preventing large numbers from any sexual intercourse for long periods exceeding nine months, constituting acts of Genocide.

    Second: Crimes against humanity

    Through direct criminal acts committed by convicts, orders issued on their behalf, or contributing in one of the crime's basics resulting from Al-Anfal operations, convicts have committed crimes against humanity through a large scale and systematic attack, targeting inhabitants of Kurdish villages in Garmiyan, under acknowledgement of such violent attack.

    1- Premeditated murder without trial
    2- Coercive dislocation
    3- Detention and extreme deprivation
    4- Torture
    5- Rape
    6- Oppression
    7- Forced harboring

    Third: War Crimes

    After the corroboration of acts that were committed by soldiers and officers subordinated by convicts summoned before this court, it becomes clear that they committed War Crimes:

    1- Premeditatedly carrying out attacks against Kurdish villages' civilians who participated in war actions (T.C: most probably who did not participate in war actions)

    2- Premeditatedly carrying out attacks against buildings appropriated for educational and religious purposes

    3- Issuance of orders to relocate and dislocate civil inhabitants

    Victims' Proxies, through the brief, mentioned as well:

    Fourth Al Anfal Crime Operation Between 1988 May 3 and 1988 May 8

    Crime scene geographical factor:

    The Military Command undertook commenced Fourth Al-Anfal crime in Lower Zab valley [Al-Asfal] including Aghjalar, Gup Tapa and 'Askar, as well as Shikh Bizini, Digala, Kuysinjaq, Khalakan, and Dukan.

    Contributory Military Units:

    First: 1st Corps Command consisting of:

    • 38th Division
    • 5th Mechanized Infantry Division
    • 8th and 2nd Infantry Divisions

    Second: Al-Nasr Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Khalid Ahmad Ibrahim

    Third: 46th Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ali Ahmad Muhammad

    Forth: Oil Protection Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah Al-Haj Hunta

    Fifth: 1st Corps Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General Ala' Muhammad Taha

    Sixth: Emergency Detachments for Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Kirkuk Securities

    Eighth: Intelligence Staff Commission affiliated to the Corps and Divisions

    Ninth: Chemical Classification

    Tenth: Army Aviation

    Eleventh: Air Force

    Twelfth: Military Intelligence

    Fourth Al-Anfal criminal operation's execution:

    At the afternoon of 1988 May 3, an aircraft formation flew at low altitude over Gup Tapa, and then eight successive explosion (not sturdy) were heard followed by white smoke, smelling rotten apple or garlic (as was described by the plaintiff). This smoke invaded the village as condensed colored cloud. When the cloud broke down, villagers were shocked to know that many inhabitants were dead due to chemical weapon's usage. Perhaps, gazing at plaintiff '[NAME REDACTED] is the best eyewitness, the clearest and most accurate, offered to your court, pertaining to children, women and old men saying their last breathes.

    Other aircrafts shelled 'Askar Village by special ammunition [TC: chemical weapons] martyring many citizens while injuring others. The same aircrafts attacked Chami Rizan by chemical weapons, as well as Gup Tapa and 'Askar, arresting those who survived as the rest escaped to nearby hills or Takya and Bayinjan compounds. A third group managed to run away from 'Askar but was arrested, by the army, on 1988 May 4, and referred to Susa Camp. On the other axis, known as Taqtaq campaign, the army followed the technique of besiegement and containment against forces located within Taqtaq Basin. Convict Sultan Ahmad Hashim is the one who created this plan, as being mountainous war planner. The forces infiltrated on many sides, whereas Shaykh Bazini village was destroyed, down to the ground as survivors were arrested. On 1988 May 4, military units moved toward other zone's villages where an immense number of families had been detained by Iraqi forces, the thing that made the latter call 700 affiliates, from the emergency forces, to handle those families. On 1988 May 6, the army reached Guma Shin, after crossing Al-Zab River, burning and destroying everything. Middle East Human Right Organization's report mentioned lists of 1680 missing people with anonymous fate only in Kalisa, Buka Kanabi, Tuzla, Kani Hanjir, and Guma Shin. In addition, the village's plaintiffs in [Gup Tapa] submitted a list of nearly 500 missing people form their village. All statistics show that 75 villages belonging to Aghjalar Neighborhood, 24 to Kuysanjaq, 52 to Taqtaq, and 61 to Shwan were destroyed by the army during Fourth Al Anfal Crime.

    On 1988 April 7, 1st Corps Commander, Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad, sent a secret and instant telegram, numbered [1807], to Northern Organization Office Official, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and Chief of Army Staff's Deputy, Convict Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti, and General Military Intelligence Directorate Director Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri. The below is the text of the aforementioned telegram, as included in page 92 of the list:

    "By God's help and fighters' will, from Iraqi sons, 1st Corps command and all units correlated from Al-Nasr Forces Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General Khalid Ahmad Ibrahim, 46th Forces Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ali Ahmad Muhammad Salih, Oil Protection Command commanded by Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah Al-Haj Huntah, Forces Command of National Defense Legion commanded by Staff Brigadier General Sa'd Shams-al-Din, Command of the 1st Corps Posts commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ala' Muhammad Taha, and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergency Detachments, were able to carry out Fourth Al Anfal Operation via attacking saboteurs whereabouts and gathering cells which they referred to after destroying their headquarters in the previous Al Anfal operations. Our troops were deployed over more than 13 sides, crashing the traitors in Sur Qawshan, Gup Tapa, Hasaka, Chami Rizan, Kalisa, Bukird, Gawra Di, Bul Qamish, Kilil Ghaj, Shikh Bizin, Faqi Mirza, Tapa Garus, Girdakan, Shukir, where some of them were arrested while others murdered, as well as confiscating a large amount of weapons, vehicles, equipments, food and medical supplies provided by their masters from abroad, in addition to a serious scanning of forests and valleys, destroying villages through the Fourth Al Anfal Operation, thanks to God for his victory, he is the true Lord, the true Supporter".

    Crimes Committed during Fourth Al Anfal Operations:

    Convicts, standing before your court, and their fugitive partners, committed several crimes as follow:

    First: Genocide

    1- By committing murder and putting an end to one's soul via chemical weapons aiming to totally eradicate Kurdish villagers in this region, constituting a genocide crime.

    2- Murder groups' members, where Military Units' Armed Forces contributed to Fourth Al Anfal Operation's command while coordinating with security systems affiliated to Security Committees at Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Kirkuk. They raided villages correlated to Aghjalar, Shuwan, Taqtaq, and Kuysanjaq. They gathered the inhabitants and referred them to Tupzawa gathering center to murder them after, in large numbers exceeding 28550 Kurdish citizens, in mass graves excavated by International Expert Dr. Michel Treble at Al-Samawah.

    3- Relocating and dislocating villagers from their homes, detaining them at Nuqrat Al-Salman camp, cutting down basic food supplies, potable water and preventing patients' treatment.

    4- Torture, assault, and organized terrorism, furthermore, the detainees were exposed to severe physical and mental damages. Hence, it really constitutes genocide crimes, as segregating men and women, preventing any sexual intercourse is considered another criminal act taking as genocide.

    Second: Crimes against humanity:

    Through direct criminal acts committed by convicts, orders issued on their behalf, or contributing in one of the crime's basics resulting from Al-Anfal Fourth Operations, through a large scale and systematic attack, targeting inhabitants of Kurdish villages, under acknowledgement of such violent attack:

    1- Premeditated murder without trial
    2- Coercive dislocation of Kurds from their villages to residential compounds, subduing them to harsh living conditions.
    3- Detention and extreme deprivation as it happened in the Anfalized gathering centers of Tupzawa, Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergency Center, Dibs, and Nuqrat Al-Salman.
    4- Torture, as it had been implemented by Officer Hajjaj, and his deputy Shamkhi, in Nuqrat Al-Salman and Tupzawa Camp
    5- Rape at Nuqrat Al-Salman, by the abovementioned Hajjaj and Shamkhi
    6- Oppressing inhabitants of Kurdish villages in Qara Dagh for being of Kurdish origins
    7- Forced harboring of the Anfalized in Al Anfal Second Operation

    Though Iraq joined the Geneva Convention dated on 1949 August 12, pledging commitment to all articles pertaining to war crimes, as well as not perpetrating such crimes, the country's record was black dotted as per crimes of external war or launched against internal opposition movements. By inspecting the acts carried out by soldiers and officers who were subordinated by the convicts standing before your court, it becomes clear that they committed acts considered as crimes per Article [13] of this court's Code, including:

    1- Premeditated murder of detainees and arrestees without trial
    2- Torture and inhuman treatment
    3- Demolishing villages and looting properties
    4- Other acts committed by the Army and Security Forces

    Crime scene geographical factor

    The third Al Anfal operation was carried in Garmiyan located in Kirkuk, Tuz, Khurmatu, Kifri, Takya, southern Darbandi Khan, and Chamchamal where no Prohibition Zones or Kurdish resistance [known by the previous regime as Kurdish Rebels or Iran's Agents and offspring of treason - Al-Barzani clan] are available. These villages were hundreds of kilometers away from the Iranian borders, taken as safe villages where its inhabitants perform farming and animals' breeding. Elementary and secondary schools, clinics, mosques in addition to an agronomic directorate are found, all administered by official government's systems. The inhabitants also assisted the Iraqi army in the Iraq-Iran war, why did the regime carry out his brutal crime and eradicated them? With no guilt except being Kurds! Planning for Al Anfal Third Operation was set down a long time ago, correlated closely to the Arabization of Kirkuk and its rural administrative districts.

    Military Forces contributing to the crime

    First: Second Corps forces commanded by General Kamil Sajit, constituted of:

    1- 15th Infantry Division
    2- 34th Infantry Division
    3- The 3rd Mechanized Armored Division

    Second: First Corps Forces commanded by Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad, constituted of:

    1- Light Legion Forces commanded by Major General Sa'd Shams-al-Din (T.C: The Command of National Defense regiments of Kurdish Mustashars and their followers)
    2- 10th Armored Division commanded by Major General Khalid Al-Dulaymi
    3- Oil protection forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah
    4- 1st Corps' Posts Commandment commanded by Major General Mundhir Ibrahim

    Third: Engineering Efforts in destroying villages

    Fourth: Intelligence Army Staff Commission affiliated to Corps and Divisions

    Five: Chemical Rank

    Sixth: Army Aviation

    Seventh: Air Force

    Eight: Security Units belonging to Kirkuk and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Forces

    Crime's execution:

    At the first daylight of 1988 April 07, the army units, which were grouped at Tuz Khurmatu County, moved followed by additional forces from Kirkuk, Balan (T.C: most probably Maydan), Chamchamal, and Sangaw where all had been mobilized at Qadir Karam Town, as per plan, dividing the column into 3 forces:

    1- First Force: deployed at eastside of Nawjul toward Awasi

    2- Second Force: deployed east along the river's sand valley, supported by an Air umbrella of jetfighters and helicopters which intensively raided villages located within their targets.

    3- Third Force: Launched a vicious assault on Taza Shar village which was exposed to a chemical strike by air force, besieging the three villages, Upper Kani Qadir [Al-'Ulya], Lower Kani Qadir [Al-Sufla] and Shaykh Hamid, located in the aforementioned area. After arresting those villages' inhabitants, looting their properties and transferring them, via military vehicles, to Qadir Karam and then to Tupzawa gathering center, the whole zone had been ruined down. The second column deployed at Qadir Karam town, toward the northern west side, encircling villages like Ibrahim Ghulam, pushing the residents to abandon their houses to take refuge in nearby hills. All those refugees turned themselves back to the army and 51 from Zangana clan disappeared. As of the third column, it deployed toward Sangaw and Chamchamal destroying all villages within its scope, arresting escapee families who were scattered in the valleys, referring them to Qadir Karam police station, and then to the Center for Anfalized (T.C: the people subdued to Anfal operations) in Tupzawa. These villages included Tibarz and Pari Zada reaching Takya Al-Jabari and Bangul till Laylan.

    In the morning of 1988 April 20, the last village was destroyed in Garmiyan, known as Faqi Mustafa where almost all its inhabitants were detained. The Iraqi Forces returned back to their bases reporting all missions were accomplished, as per telegram numbered [11386], dated 1988 April 21, issued by Second Corps Intelligence to Northern Organization Office. As a conclusion, villages were destroyed, wiped out, and eradicated from inhabitants who were driven to an anonymous fate.

    Crimes committed in Al Anfal Third Operations

    First: Genocide

    1- Murdering groups' members: Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]testified in the 13th hearing, dated 2006 October 09, that his pregnant wife along with his mother ([NAME REDACTED]), small children and relatives were arrested in Tiligan village. This village, which is consisted of 30 families, was totally anfalized and eradicated. The plaintiff's brother's Nuri identity card of his sister's 'Ismat were found in Al-Muthanna Cemetery down at Al-Samawah. 2- Through executing Al Anfal Third Operations, convicts and their henchmen, from officers, soldiers and internal security forces affiliates, committed many crimes, including:

    A. Dislocating and relocating a large number of Kurdish villages' inhabitants, from Garmiyan, detaining them at Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp, as it had been reassured by more than 15 plaintiffs before your court.

    B. Torture, tyranny, and organized terror; as detainees and arrestees had been exposed to mental and physical severe damages.

    Among those, plaintiff's [[NAME REDACTED]] husband who had been partially paralyzed and his daughter murdered.

    C. Segregating women and men, preventing large numbers from any sexual intercourse for long periods exceeding nine months, constituting acts of Genocide.

    Second: Crimes against humanity

    Through direct criminal acts committed by convicts, orders issued on their behalf, or contributing in one of the crime's basics resulting from Al-Anfal operations, convicts have committed crimes against humanity through a large scale and systematic attack, targeting inhabitants of Kurdish villages in Garmiyan, under acknowledgement of such violent attack.

    1- Premeditated murder without trial
    2- Coercive dislocation
    3- Detention and extreme deprivation
    4- Torture
    5- Rape
    6- Oppression
    7- Forced harboring

    Third: War Crimes

    After the corroboration of acts that were committed by soldiers and officers subordinated by convicts summoned before this court, it becomes clear that they committed War Crimes:

    1- Premeditatedly carrying out attacks against Kurdish villages' civilians who participated in war actions (T.C: most probably who did not participate in war actions)

    2- Premeditatedly carrying out attacks against buildings appropriated for educational and religious purposes

    3- Issuance of orders to relocate and dislocate civil inhabitants

    Victims' Proxies, through the brief, mentioned as well:

    Fourth Al Anfal Crime Operation Between 1988 May 3 and 1988 May 8

    Crime scene geographical factor:

    The Military Command undertook commenced Fourth Al-Anfal crime in Lower Zab valley [Al-Asfal] including Aghjalar, Gup Tapa and 'Askar, as well as Shikh Bizini, Digala, Kuysinjaq, Khalakan, and Dukan.

    Contributory Military Units:

    First: 1st Corps Command consisting of:

    • 38th Division
    • 5th Mechanized Infantry Division
    • 8th and 2nd Infantry Divisions

    Second: Al-Nasr Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Khalid Ahmad Ibrahim

    Third: 46th Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ali Ahmad Muhammad

    Forth: Oil Protection Forces commanded by Staff Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah Al-Haj Hunta

    Fifth: 1st Corps Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General Ala' Muhammad Taha

    Sixth: Emergency Detachments for Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Kirkuk Securities

    Eighth: Intelligence Staff Commission affiliated to the Corps and Divisions

    Ninth: Chemical Classification

    Tenth: Army Aviation

    Eleventh: Air Force

    Twelfth: Military Intelligence

    Fourth Al-Anfal criminal operation's execution:

    At the afternoon of 1988 May 3, an aircraft formation flew at low altitude over Gup Tapa, and then eight successive explosion (not sturdy) were heard followed by white smoke, smelling rotten apple or garlic (as was described by the plaintiff). This smoke invaded the village as condensed colored cloud. When the cloud broke down, villagers were shocked to know that many inhabitants were dead due to chemical weapon's usage. Perhaps, gazing at plaintiff '[NAME REDACTED] is the best eyewitness, the clearest and most accurate, offered to your court, pertaining to children, women and old men saying their last breathes.

    Other aircrafts shelled 'Askar Village by special ammunition [TC: chemical weapons] martyring many citizens while injuring others. The same aircrafts attacked Chami Rizan by chemical weapons, as well as Gup Tapa and 'Askar, arresting those who survived as the rest escaped to nearby hills or Takya and Bayinjan compounds. A third group managed to run away from 'Askar but was arrested, by the army, on 1988 May 4, and referred to Susa Camp. On the other axis, known as Taqtaq campaign, the army followed the technique of besiegement and containment against forces located within Taqtaq Basin. Convict Sultan Ahmad Hashim is the one who created this plan, as being mountainous war planner. The forces infiltrated on many sides, whereas Shaykh Bazini village was destroyed, down to the ground as survivors were arrested. On 1988 May 4, military units moved toward other zone's villages where an immense number of families had been detained by Iraqi forces, the thing that made the latter call 700 affiliates, from the emergency forces, to handle those families. On 1988 May 6, the army reached Guma Shin, after crossing Al-Zab River, burning and destroying everything. Middle East Human Right Organization's report mentioned lists of 1680 missing people with anonymous fate only in Kalisa, Buka Kanabi, Tuzla, Kani Hanjir, and Guma Shin. In addition, the village's plaintiffs in [Gup Tapa] submitted a list of nearly 500 missing people form their village. All statistics show that 75 villages belonging to Aghjalar Neighborhood, 24 to Kuysanjaq, 52 to Taqtaq, and 61 to Shwan were destroyed by the army during Fourth Al Anfal Crime.

    On 1988 April 7, 1st Corps Commander, Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad, sent a secret and instant telegram, numbered [1807], to Northern Organization Office Official, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and Chief of Army Staff's Deputy, Convict Husayn Rashid Al-Tikriti, and General Military Intelligence Directorate Director Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri. The below is the text of the aforementioned telegram, as included in page 92 of the list:

    "By God's help and fighters' will, from Iraqi sons, 1st Corps command and all units correlated from Al-Nasr Forces Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General Khalid Ahmad Ibrahim, 46th Forces Command commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ali Ahmad Muhammad Salih, Oil Protection Command commanded by Brigadier General Bariq 'Abdallah Al-Haj Huntah, Forces Command of National Defense Legion commanded by Staff Brigadier General Sa'd Shams-al-Din, Command of the 1st Corps Posts commanded by Staff Brigadier General 'Ala' Muhammad Taha, and Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergency Detachments, were able to carry out Fourth Al Anfal Operation via attacking saboteurs whereabouts and gathering cells which they referred to after destroying their headquarters in the previous Al Anfal operations. Our troops were deployed over more than 13 sides, crashing the traitors in Sur Qawshan, Gup Tapa, Hasaka, Chami Rizan, Kalisa, Bukird, Gawra Di, Bul Qamish, Kilil Ghaj, Shikh Bizin, Faqi Mirza, Tapa Garus, Girdakan, Shukir, where some of them were arrested while others murdered, as well as confiscating a large amount of weapons, vehicles, equipments, food and medical supplies provided by their masters from abroad, in addition to a serious scanning of forests and valleys, destroying villages through the Fourth Al Anfal Operation, thanks to God for his victory, he is the true Lord, the true Supporter".

    Crimes Committed during Fourth Al Anfal Operations:

    Convicts, standing before your court, and their fugitive partners, committed several crimes as follow:

    First: Genocide

    1- By committing murder and putting an end to one's soul via chemical weapons aiming to totally eradicate Kurdish villagers in this region, constituting a genocide crime.

    2- Murder groups' members, where Military Units' Armed Forces contributed to Fourth Al Anfal Operation's command while coordinating with security systems affiliated to Security Committees at Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Kirkuk. They raided villages correlated to Aghjalar, Shuwan, Taqtaq, and Kuysanjaq. They gathered the inhabitants and referred them to Tupzawa gathering center to murder them after, in large numbers exceeding 28550 Kurdish citizens, in mass graves excavated by International Expert Dr. Michel Treble at Al-Samawah.

    3- Relocating and dislocating villagers from their homes, detaining them at Nuqrat Al-Salman camp, cutting down basic food supplies, potable water and preventing patients' treatment.

    4- Torture, assault, and organized terrorism, furthermore, the detainees were exposed to severe physical and mental damages. Hence, it really constitutes genocide crimes, as segregating men and women, preventing any sexual intercourse is considered another criminal act taking as genocide.

    Second: Crimes against humanity:

    Through direct criminal acts committed by convicts, orders issued on their behalf, or contributing in one of the crime's basics resulting from Al-Anfal Fourth Operations, through a large scale and systematic attack, targeting inhabitants of Kurdish villages, under acknowledgement of such violent attack.

    1- Premeditated murder without trial
    2- Coercive murder [TC: most probably they are talking about dislocation rather then murder]
    3- Detention and extreme deprivation
    4- Torture
    5- Rape
    6- Oppression
    7- Forced harboring

    Third: War Crimes

    Victims' Proxies elaborated within their brief at page 96 on:

    Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Al Anfal Crime Operation Between 1988 May 15 and 1988 May 26

    Crime scene geographic factor:

    In Balisan, Hiran, Shaqlawa, Simaquli, Duli Alan and Rawanduz, the three operations tackled the biggest areas, covering approximately half of Kurdistan region and included the villages of Kuysanjaq County, Digala sub district and Altun Kupri, in addition to villages at the vicinity of Irbil, Shaqlawa, Rawanduz, Chuman, Qindil Mountain and Ranya Counties, as well as Chwar Qurna sub district, Hizup , and Bawaji mountain. The 5th Corps was assigned to carry out the three operations in addition to the following units:

    First: 5th Corps (Al-‘Ammuriyyah Forces) commanded by Staff Officer T.C: most probably Staff General) Yunis Muhammad Al-Dharb, constituted of:

    1- 16th Infantry Division (Dhu-al-Fiqar Forces)
    2- 4th Infantry Division (Frogmen [Al-Dafadi'] Forces)
    3- 1st Infantry Division (Abu ‘Ubaydah Forces)
    4- 7th Infantry Division (Al-Mansur Forces)

    Second: units from the 1st Corps

    Third: Engineering Efforts

    Forth: Army Forces

    Fifth: Air Force

    Sixth: Chemical Rank

    Seventh: Special Ammunition Group

    Eighth: Military Intelligence Units

    Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Al Anfal Operations' Criminal Plan:

    The regime gets used to strike and eradicate civilians with chemical weapons. Hence on 1988 May 15 [at dawn], while Warti villagers were preparing themselves to celebrate a feast, they were surprised by a chemical attack carried out by two jet fighters, raiding the village dressing the feast's joy a robe of cries and moans, as tens of villagers were immediately dead. One of the eyewitnesses said in your court "when we entered the city to offer help, I noticed that the feast's food was still there, intact, as we buried 37 bodies in a mass grave. On 1988 May 23 [morning], the villages of Balisan, Hiran, Malakan and the surrounding valleys were exposed to chemical attacks, more fierce than the first time, as the gas effect reached Shaykh Wasanan Village. Then, the military units invaded those villages, detaining many families to dislocate them at anfalized gathering centers, never to be seen again. Furthermore, the Engineering Effort destroyed villagers’ houses transforming these regions into haunted, lonely ones.

    Finally, the brief included at page 101:

    Eighth Al Anfal Crime Operations Between 1988 August 25 and 1988 September 6 at Bahdinan

    Crime scene geographic factor:

    The Iraq-Iran War came to an end 1988 August 8, however, Saddam Hussein and present convicts exploited this chance to continue on the genocide crime, referring Al Anfal Closure's responsibility to the 5th Corps commanded by Staff General Yunis Al- Dharb. The 5th Corps was consisted back then of the following units:

    1- 16th Infantry Division (Dhu-al-Fiqar Forces) including:

    A- 1st Infantry Brigade
    B- 505th Infantry Brigade
    C- 606th Infantry Brigade

    2- 4th Infantry Division (Frogmen Forces [Al-Dafadi']) including:

    A- 29th Infantry Brigade
    B- 96th Infantry Brigade
    C- 5th Infantry Brigade

    3 – 1st Infantry Division [Abu 'Ubaydah Forces] including:

    A- 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade
    B- 27th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
    C- 34th Infantry Brigade

    4 – 7th Infantry Division [Al-Mansur Forces] including:

    A- 38th Infantry Brigade
    B- 39th Infantry Brigade
    C- 116th Infantry Brigade

    The number of units, which participated in Al Anfal Closure, is 38 Infantry Brigades, 2 Tank Brigades, 3 Artillery Battalions, in addition to mobilized Military Units, which are:

    1 – Engineering Effort
    2 – Army Aviation
    3 – Air Force
    4 – Chemical Rank
    5 –Special War Effort to Open Mountainous Roads
    6 – Military Intelligence Units

    The Criminal Plan

    At two in the afternoon sharp, on 1988 August 23, Iraqi warplanes and helicopters began raiding over villages located at Nahilya Basin – Diraluk – Al-'Imadiyyah Sub district, using chemical weapons

    Among these villages were Shirana, Ikmala Sarki Bi. On 1988 August 24, aircrafts repeated their strikes over most of Bahdinan in preparation for a massive land offensive. On 1988 August 25, forces took control over major roads, blocking all passageways in front of residents civil inhabitants residing this vast mountainous area which included Zakhu, Al-'Amadiyyah, 'Aqra, Shaykhan, Sumil, Mirga Sur, Barzan, Suran. Iraqi forces concentrated their efforts on complete, swift control over borders, separating between Iraq and Turkey, firmly dominating it. . On the same morning, 1988 Aug 25, the aforementioned forces bombed the villages of Kani Masi, Bikuva, Mangish, Tuka, Gul Naski, Birjini, Talakru, Ramila, Mazi, Balijan, Bani, as well as Ikmala, Shirana Kizi, Yarish, Radini, Kurki, Banaya, Ziki, chemically containing more than just villages. The death toll reached the thousands. Despite all procedures, military violence, and chemical strikes, 80 thousand residents somehow managed to flee to areas at the proximity of the Turkish border. Some crossed over the borders before blocking the routes, others were captured by Iraqi forces and transferred to Nazarki Fort never to be seen again till this day as others disappeared into the valleys and mountains were they watched Iraqi forces looting their properties and torching their homes.

    Documented Evidence of 8th Al Anfal Crime (Al Anfal Closure)

    1st: Written Documents

    There exists tens, rather thousands of decisive documents that emerged from the Republic Presidency, Northern Organization Committee (T.C: most probably Northern Affairs Committee), Northern Organization Office, and other Military Command posts all confirming that Al Anfal Closure occurred indeed at Bahdinan area, the following are our chosen most important ions:

    1 – Document No. [1122], dated 1988 August 21, issued by Chief of Army Staff's Office, labeled top secret and personal, directed to 1st and 5th Corps' commands, headlined instructions, handwritten, where the 1st article included the following:

    "Identifying the concentration of the population within 5th Regiment's (T.C: most probably 5th Corps) Sectors, as they are to be treated with fierce special strikes, 48 hours prior to the deadline of starting the operations, to create state of phobia within their ranks, preventing them from collaborating with the saboteurs, in addition to keeping their movements under control within the area, as well as extreme precautionary measures from the villages situated along the Iraqi-Turkish borders". We elucidate to the court that this document is formed of (13) articles where each one is a misdemeanor in itself. The document is signed by Convict Husayn Rashid Al- Tikriti, meaning he overviewed this decree's creation. Convict Nazar 'Abd-al-Karim Al-Khazraji is stamped also which definitely prove that the document was preparing genocide.

    2nd: Convicts' Testimonies:

    Convicts 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, Sultan Hashim Ahmad, Husayn Rashid Al- Tikriti, Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz, Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi and Tahir Tawfiq Al- 'Ani confessed committing Al Anfal crime, in all of its eight stages, indicating each one's role.

    3rd: International Experts Reports

    In which convicts' crimes had been elaborated as of chemical weapons' casualties and its applications in killing village's residents within the area.

    Al Anfal all 8 Phases' Outcome was:

    1 – The destruction of 2451 villages and erasing their very existence
    2 – The destruction of more than 1344 Primary and Secondary Schools
    3 – The destruction of more than 2027 Mosques and religious sites.
    4 – Anfalization of 182000 residents of Kurdistan between murdered, executed and missed.
    5 – The fleeing of hundreds of families to Iran and Turkey.
    6 – Seizing citizens' properties among which were stored agronomical crops. .
    7 – Destruction of natural environment, torching pastors, orchards and forests.
    8 – Extermination of livestock treasure.
    9 – Destruction and filling in water wells and destroying their sources.
    10 – Following scorched earth policy
    11 – Land mining the area, against individuals and vehicles, to prevent any change of life rebirth in the area.

    Compensations

    In this wide scale eradication and total destruction, the total number of families affected by the criminal Anfal operations attained the tens of thousands, whether plaintiffs, seeking civil rights or victims inheritance. The attendance of all those victimized wishing to take legal action to be present at the Investigatory court or the current trial in progress was unquestionably impossible, despite being subject to physical, tangible and psychological damage. To guarantee the rights of the victims who could not be present at the trial were to sustain their rights in order to claim compensation in accordance to the fundamentals and law rulings, which was established by the Iraqi Law, which contained a clause within the ruling that is a matter of justice. However, due to these crimes categorized under International requirements, which comply with specifications of International Human Rights in regards to tangible or moral compensation resulting from crimes committed by a political system, a nation predominant against its people or victims under the cover of an opposition movement whether it was armed or not, the examples are many in this matter, such as the historic verdict of German Nuremburg Court No [AA33/947/534], dated 1947 April 27, which imposed tangible and morale compensation on German Federal Republic, for the aggrieved (tangibly and morally) as a result of Jewish genocide which occurred in Germany as [The Holocaust]. The mentioned court reserved every victim's tangible and moral rights, granting them the right to claim compensation before civil courts located within victims' permanent residential areas, by the new authority that was established after the fall of the former which perpetrated genocide. The new government was responsible as a successor of the former one vis-à-vis the international community or its citizens.

    Finally, the brief dealt on pages 113 – 115 with victims' proxies requests:

    The Demands

    The modern history did not witness such immense, ghoulish and barbarian crimes as those committed by the convicts and their henchmen. Therefore, as to apply the right, fair and just, for the hundreds of thousands of victims' souls, as well as to prevent other criminals, we ask your honorable court to inflict the strictest sentence against victims, as follow:

    1 – To incriminate them as per Clauses [(A, B, C, D)] of Article [(11/1st] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No.10 for the year 2005, for approving their perpetration of genocide and identifying the sentence as per Article [406] of Iraqi Penal Code by virtue of Article [15] of this court's code.

    2 – To incriminate them as per Clauses [(A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, J)] of Article [12/1st] of Iraqi High Tribunal Court and identifying sentence as per Iraqi Penal Code for perpetrating crimes against humanity by virtue of Article [15] of this court's code.

    3 – To incriminate them as per Clauses [(A, B, C, D, G, H)] of Article [13/First] and Clauses [(A, B, D, E, F, I, L, M, O, P, Q, R)] of Clause [Second] of the same article, and Article [D] of Clause [Third] of the same Article also, according to Articles [(A, D, E, F, H, J, L)] of Clause [Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Laws for perpetrating War Crimes, an identifying the sentence by virtue of Article [15] of this court's code.

    4 – Instigating the complaint against individuals whose names emerged from among the cases' information forms or the enclosed lists for contributing to the perpetrated crimes against citizens of Kurdish origins, informing the Investigative Judge to interrogate and refer them to court to receive their sentences.

    5 – Confiscation all fixed and non fixed assets pertaining to convicts, inside Iraq and outside, labeling them "frozen" until the end of the case, to guarantee covering all expenses.

    6 – To preserve, for all those aggrieved from Al Anfal Operations, starting 1987 Mar 10, the right to demand compensation before Civil Courts.

    The verdict against convicts is the beginning of a suffering's end pertaining to thousands of victims' relatives, Anfalized and executed, buried in mass graves and who survived from Kurdish ethnicity waiting nonchalantly, from a long time, the instant when they will here your just verdict.

    Attachments:

    1 – A list of villages eliminated during Al Anfal operations.
    2 – A list of those who participating in Al Anfal operations.
    3 – Maps for all Al Anfal operations
    4 – Elucidation Plans

    ((General Prosecution's Brief Summary as well as enclosed demands))

    Publicly recited in hearing [53], dated 2007 April 2, containing 52 pages, opened, in the introduction, that the victims' souls shall not rest in peace as well as victims' relatives' conscience which won't calm down if your honorable court does not issue the severest penalties against these crimes perpetrators. We were expecting, after acknowledging the convicts bout this huge amount of compact documents, decisive evidences, and plaintiffs' and witnesses' testimonies, to make a public apology not only to their victims but also to the human race, seeking mercy. Yet, the court noticed their persistence, stringency, justifications, selfish egos, and outrageous and provocative comments to prosecutor which indicated their lack of respect for both dead and survivors of mass graves. The crimes which took place due to the authorization granted to Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid from 1987 March 29 to1988 September, headlined him as the ultimate man behind these eradications of the Kurds as active sectors under his command included both 1st and 5th Corps of Iraqi Regular Army, General Security Directorate, Military Intelligence, Kurdish Militias affiliated to the Government known as (National Defense Regiments) and Civil System all under Northern Organization Office's command. The Anfal Campaigns (1987-1988) were distinguished by the following obvious violations:

    1 – Instant mass executions, harboring tens of thousands of non-fighters including immense numbers of women and children.

    2 - The wide scale chemical weapons' usage [Mustard Gas, Nerve Gas and Sarin Gas], causing the death of thousands of civilians mainly women and children.

    3 – Mass destruction of thousands of villages mentioned within the documents, as well as districts and sub districts.

    4 – Total destruction of civil targets such as schools and Mosques.

    5 – Looting civilians' properties, livestock and farms on a large scaled scheme

    6 - Random detention of all arrested villagers

    7 – Random imprisonment, detaining thousands of women, children and elderly for excessive months in conditions of prevention, coerciveness, malnutrition and ailments without a judiciary trail.

    8 – Coerce dislocation of hundreds of thousands of villagers

    9 – Destruction of Kurdistan's economy and its country side infrastructure when attacked by Iraqi forces as the latter were not intercepting other country's soldiers, rather were intending to harm their own people using the most destructive weapons (Chemical weapons)

    The brief enforced its views referring back to one of the official documents sent to Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz, handwritten, quoting "the use of chemical weapons requires coordination among authorities and Chief of Army Staff because it is the office in charge of such acts".

    Evidences emerged regarding the role played by convicts – ex-commanders as they had planned operations, issued orders, forwarded operational reports and results straight to their leaders as they helped other units raiding over civilians, accepting spoils and remunerations headlined by the previous regime as their heroic acts. The Attorney General continued …."We request this honorable court to take in account the individual responsibility of each of the convicts in light of the crimes they committed in the Al Anfal operations. Those convicts that had been accused via evidences represented to the court, and are:

    • Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad: In early 1987 until September 1988, he held the post of Commander of the 1st Crops. The convict was a military officer who served a term of (41) years in the Regular Army and reached a rank of Lieutenant General, he was promoted to Minister of Defense in sight of the crimes he committed with his soldiers during Al Anfal Operations as he assisted the 1st Corps in all campaigns, reinforcing authority over his troops which contributed, under his command, in Al Anfal operations referring to chemical raids in Bahdinan and other places. His soldiers were responsible for dislocating inhabitants, coercively, from their houses, totally devastating their villages and confiscating their properties, detaining them under inhuman conditions and transporting them to camps where they were exposed to torture, rape and famine.
    • Convict Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi: He was the Director of Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone, directly in-charge in front of Convicts Sabir Al-Duri then 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. The convict put down a series of memos, to his commanders, tackling the erased villages which prove his prior acknowledgement about Al Anfal Operations as a wide and systematic attack. He had complete knowledge of the civilian's numbers who had been forcefully dislocated from their villages, during the aforementioned operations, and the treatment they had witnessed. He had been given full authority while investigating detainees, as well as carrying executions within the premises of his system, after the approval of Northern Organization Office. All this is proved in the document "Secret and Confidential", numbered [1289] on 1988 Aug 5, under serial [005165], found in the box file.
    • Convict Husayn Rashid Muhammad: He was Chief of Army Staffs Operational Deputy in the Iraqi Armed Forces. He was a participant in planning and concocting military operations during Al Anfal campaigns the thing that is proved via official documents presented before the court, acknowledging that the Operation Directorate includes other sub-directorates like Planning, Provision, Movements, and Survey. By that, he will be in charge of supplying the units in Kurdistan with internationally-prohibited weapons, aside attending conferences related to Al Anfal Operations, laying down suitable plans to ruin down villages and murder the biggest possible number of inhabitants.
    • Convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri: He was General Military Intelligence Directorate Director. Many evidences and documents were presented before your honored court which revealed the eminent role that the convict carried in supporting Al Anfal Operations, analyzing and lifting results pertaining to each operation aside. He confessed the legality of these documents and recognized his own signature, reassuring the use of chemical weapons as the aforementioned documents included sent to Presidential Diwan and Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.
    • Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid: He was the Official of the Northern Organization Office and the Supreme Leader responsible over activities carried on by civil and military officials in the aforementioned office. His actions and decisions granted him the alias of "Chemical 'Ali" ['Ali Kimyawi] which rendered him internationally known.

    The prosecutor had clarified in his brief: Every one of those convicts is responsible, individually, over crimes which he incited, supported, instigated, or assisted in its perpetration as documents and evidences reinsure the contribution and acknowledgment of those convicts about Al Anfal campaigns. They operated as a group implementing a public criminal act to eradicate the Kurdish people. Every one took official steps, already prepared, to support the group's criminal aim, in addition to carrying on a supervisory overview of the crimes perpetrated by other executors. Each one of those convicts had committed genocide, crimes against humanity, and War Crimes through an internal conflict, violating Articles [11, 12, and 13] of Iraqi High Tribunal. They were aware of the political objective behind eradicating the Kurds, attacking their villages, and quashing their style of living. Hence, they disposed a precise, exhaustive plan, which execution and phases had been roundly designed, to be recognized later as Al Anfal operations. To prove genocide, it is a must to prove the special intention behind eradicating a patriotic, ethnic, or racial group. Still, it had been proved for your court that raids occurred in Kurdistan region, against Kurdish patriotism only as this attack was not targeting exclusively Kurdish fighters (Pishmarqa), but rather all Kurdish villages, striking chemical weapons as well as a diversity of other arsenal. Those who had miraculously survived had been detained in special camps, prepared for this purpose, and then driven away to mass graves (children, women, youngsters, and old men). This is clear evidence headlining the provisionary special intent to totally or partially eradicate this patriotism (T.C: ethnicity), for being Kurdish solemnly, as it had been elaborated through documents and other evidences. Accordingly, these actions match with Article [11] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005, in its following clauses:

    (A) Murder:

    The legal requirements to prove such crime is that the murderer should have killed or caused in killing one or more individuals. The elements of proof are the ultimate evidence that the attackers have encircled and contained the place, throughout the group's presence, as it really occurred proven by documents and evidences. There is another legal requirement which is the condition that victims are affiliated to a given patriotic, ethnic, racial, or religious group. This is also proven as Kurds are a patriotic community residing northern Iraq [Kurdistan territory], having a legal bound or publicly recognized identity. As for the other legal requirement, ethnicity is pertained as Kurds speak one language, contributed to all, as they [meaning the Kurdish patriotic community] have special physical and genetic features, all residing one geographically defined area. On the other hand, the crime's perpetrator's intent to eradicate totally or partially this patriotic community, as well as its elements of proof, which is the fact that convict had spoken out hatred, cursed or racist humiliation against these people, are elaborated through audio tapes pertaining to some of the convicts. Finally, the systematic pattern's requirement, as well as the elements of proof correlated with this requirement, is the availability of evidence over repetitive coordinated, and systematic pattern of raids. Thus evidence is proved via the numerous, repetitive raids over Kurdish villages.

    (B) Causing physical or mental damage to group's members

    The legal requirements of such crime are that the murderer causes physical or moral damages to an individual or more. This requirement's elements of proof are the availability of an encouragement, implemented by the convict, to cause physical damages through his stance and expressions. This had been confirmed through encouraging the perpetrators, describing them as heroes by their commanders, granting them bravery medals. Another requirement is the proof that the convict ordered causing severe physical or morale damages. Such acts occurred against Kurdish inhabitants, executed by individuals who were commanded [subordinated], as their commanders did not take penal measures against them or even try to prevent them. A third requirement, which element of proof must be provisioned, is the victim's statement where he threatens murdering the members of a given patriotic group. This is unquestionably stated in Convict's, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, audio tape where he lanced that he will chemically strike, killing them all, this, in addition to other evidences of the aforementioned requirement such as demolishing houses, murdering the father-mother-brother-children [meaning the whole family] who are of Kurdish origins. As for the evidence of sexual violence and rape, as it is a must to be limited against Kurdish community, it had been proved, facing your court, through plaintiffs and witnesses' testimonies, the application of violence against Kurdish girls detained in special camps, designated to concentrate Kurds only, like Nuqrat Al-Salman, where a girl had been raped in front of her brother and other detainees. Another identical incident was marked at Tupzawa Camp.

    (C) Premeditatedly subduing the group to living conditions intended to partially or totally eradicate them

    The legal requirements for such crime are that the murderer imposes certain living conditions, on one or more individuals. The elements of proof are the availability of evidence identifying an enough period of time or imposing certain living conditions which lack medical care or a shortage in this care which provision is obligatory. All the aforementioned elements of proof are found in the case's file as per period of detention and living conditions which were imposed on camps including shortage in services, hygiene, and medical care. This is proved by plaintiffs' testimonies. If by "living conditions" is meant the partial or total eradication of this detained community, it would not be logic unless the intent of that imposed detention is a partial or total eradication of detainees. This is affirmed by non provision of potable water and medical care causing death for many.

    The prosecutor also clarified in his brief: The crimes against humanity, committed during Al Anfal operations, had occurred within a systematic, organized and large scaled attack, based on the ruling authority's orders, against a group of civil inhabitants. Such acts match with Article [12] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law with its following clauses:

    First:

    (A) Premeditated murder.
    (B) Genocide.
    (C) Deportation or coercive dislocation of inhabitants
    (D) Imprisonment and extreme deprivation of any other kind of physical freedom in a way which contradicts the basic legal rules.
    (E) Torture.
    (F) Rape.
    (G) Persecuting any specific group of inhabitants for political, racial or ethnic reasons.
    (I) Coerce harboring of inhabitants.

    (A) Murder:

    It occurs when the perpetrator murders an individual or more. This crime's elements of proof are mass graves discovered in Al-Hadar at Al-Samawah governorate next to Nuqrat Al-Salman, aside the mass graves located in Kurdistan as proved by documents and special experts' declarations. All these acts were carried out with a preconceived malice within a systematic, organized and large scaled attack.

    (B) Genocide:

    The Genocide, which constitutes a crime against humanity, is basically provisioned as it is proven in the case's file; where a group of civil inhabitants was murdered while survived victims were forced to live in conditions which lead to eradicate a major part, later on. This conduct had been carried as part of a systematic, large scaled attack targeting civil inhabitants, or that these crimes were directly executed by convicts. The murder's evidences are the mass graves, plaintiffs' testimonies, and experts' declarations. The legal requirements for proof of this crime are that the perpetrator must murder one or more individuals as well as imposing, over the victims, living conditions which will surely lead to their partial eradication. The elements of proof pertaining to this requirement emphasize on the provision of a proof elaborating a victim's death. There is no clearer evidence than the mass graves, as the proof of handing victims to militias and armed groups for settling them down is also marked via killing detained civilians in different regions of Iraq and burying them in mass graves. Regarding the other legal requirement, the action will be considered as genocide against a given group's members of civil inhabitants, or to be part of such act. The elements of proof is the foundation of massive murders with an approximate number of victims which is appropriated as experts mentioned that each opened mass grave included 500 victims or more, murdered by the armed forces using a diversity of weapons, as proved by the acquired evidences.

    (C) Coercive relocation or dislocation of inhabitants

    One of the legal requirements of this crime is that the convict relocates or dislocates coercively an individual for reasons not justifiable by the International Law. The elements of proof are provisioning evidence elaborating an applicable dislocation executed without the approval of concerned parties, as well as denying the military necessity of such act. This is proved to your court, as dislocation had been adopted after seizing and encircling the villages, coercively and forcefully moving the inhabitants, brining villages down, after being evacuated, with no military necessity whatsoever. All the aforementioned had occurred with the full awareness of convicts as within an organized, large-scaled attack.

    (D) Imprisonment and extreme deprivation as contradictory to physical freedom, against basic legal rules:

    All of this crime's basics are provisioned and proved to your court, due to the ghoulish conduct and leaders' awareness, as detention was contained in a large scaled attack, against civilians. The evidence of detention or arrests is the existence of camps such as Tupzawa, Dibs and Nuqrat Al-Salman as well as others. All detainees were civilians in bad health conditions as many died due to such circumstances during the detention period.

    This crime's basics are also provisioned and proved by causing severe pain and suffering, physically or psychologically, on the victim. That is what really happened and been proved by plaintiffs who had been assaulted physically (severely beaten), forcing some victims to stand naked, depriving them from hygiene, obliging them to witness the torture of their sons and relatives as well as sexual molestations against their sisters. All these acts occurred during the detention period, under the supervision of the perpetrators.

    (F) Rape:

    The legal requirements for such crime are the assault of the crime's perpetrator over another's body, described as a conduct, resulting in the penetration of a sexual organ in any part of the victim's body, no matter how slight this penetration was, as committing the assault by force, threat or coerce. This is what had been proved to the court from the testimonies as some plaintiffs mentioned being exposed to rape after threats and slaps. Even if convicts did not apply rape themselves or give direct orders, the leader is in charge of his subordinates' acts, as putting women in camps supervised and surveyed by men only will render the possibility of rape incidents more probable, aside the convicts' negligence of what may be conducted by their henchmen against the victims. They did not take mandatory precautionary measures to prevent such assaults placing them in charge of this crime's occurrence [Probable Intention Theory].

    (G) Persecution of any given group of inhabitants for political, ethnic or racial reasons:

    The legal requirements for such crime are that the committer strictly deprives an individual or more from their basic rights, in contradiction to the International Law. The elements of proof are acts which constitute persecution such as illegal imprisonment and detention of civilians assaulting other's freedom, murder, relocation, coerce dislocation, total devastation of houses and properties, looting, destroying and sabotaging educational and religious establishments, as well as sexual violence. All these facts are proved for your court as being implemented within a prior organized, large scaled attack rendering the intention or criminal aim provisional for convicts.

    (I) Coerce harboring of inhabitants:

    All basics for this crime are provisioned as follow:

    1- Arresting one or more individuals
    2- Denial to provide information concerning the fate and whereabouts of precised individuals
    3- This arrest was supported and decreed by the government
    4- This conduct was part of a large-scaled attack

    These basics were proved to your court as an immense number of inhabitants had been detained without delivering any info regarding their fates or whereabouts. Those were the Anfalized Kurdish sons meaning the lost with no trace till now.

    The prosecutor also clarified in his brief: Concerning the crimes which occurred during Al Anfal Campaign, they match Article [13] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, in its coming clauses, guided by Clause [Fourth] of the aforementioned article of the court's code stating dangerous violations of laws and customs, imperatively applicable on non-international armed disputes within the pertained International Law's scope, precisely any of the following acts:

    (A) Premeditatedly targeting attacks against civil inhabitants, following this description, or against civil individuals directly uninvolved in war operations.

    (B) Intending attacks over buildings appropriated for religious or educational purposes, conditioned not to be military targets

    (C) Looting any town or place even if it had been confiscated by force

    (D) Rape

    (E) Issuing orders to dislocate civil inhabitants due to reasons related to the confrontations, unless such action was executed for the benefit of those civil inhabitants or urgent military necessities.

    A- Premeditatedly attacking civil inhabitants:

    The legal requirements of this crime and elements of proof are provisioned in the case's file, as the first impose that the perpetrator direct a raid targeting civil inhabitants directly uninvolved in war operations. The element of proof requires an evidence of dead or injured among the targeted civil inhabitants. Indeed, this occurred and had been proved via plaintiffs' testimonies and official documents, acknowledging that most of the victims were not soldiers, rather women and children who lost their lives during air and land strikes, were directly uninvolved in war operations, and did not lift arms. Another requirement is to define the conduct along non-international armed dispute or any other conduct correlated with it. The elements of proof of such requirement are the availability of evidence highlighting an armed disputed between government's authorities and armed groups [Pishmarga]. A third requirement is that the perpetrator must acknowledge the factual conditions that frame an armed dispute. The element of proof in this case is elaborated via letters and official documents given to the court, proving the acknowledgment of convicts about this conflict as the other side [Pishmarga] was an organized, armed force based on commands to receive orders form. This is what had been proved from the convicts' testimonies themselves.

    B- Intend raiding buildings appropriated for religious or educational purposes:

    The legal requirements of this crime and elements of proof are provisioned in the case's file, as the following legal requirements must be provisioned: The perpetrator must direct attacks. The elements of proof is the availability of en evidence elaborating the damages or ruins, as well as targeting one or more buildings of those appropriated for religious or educational purposes which are not considered as military targets by nature. The raided buildings most not are used by armed forces, as premeditatedly taking these buildings as targets solemnly. This is will take us to the fourth requirement as his element of proof is the availability of evidence concerning the executed acts which indicate a premeditated intention of damage or destruction. This had been proved via documents, passed to the court, which order the devastation of schools and mosques as mentioned by some plaintiffs' testimonies. On the other side, to prove the intention is emphasized through orders issued concerning the demolition of the aforementioned buildings, carrying on these orders, and reporting back the outcome.

    C- Looting any town or place even if forcefully confiscated:

    The legal requirements of this crime and elements of proof are provisioned in the case's file, and are as follow:

    When the perpetrators confiscate specific properties, gaining public or private ownership illegally, at a time when looting is carried by soldiers aiming at personal gain. The evidence that organized property confiscation was performed through a framed systematic and economic abuse of the region's valuable assets as the war necessity to not legitimize looting . The represented legal requirements and their elements of proof are emphasized for the court through granting soldiers and national defense regiments the right to loot Kurdish villages' civil inhabitants' properties. This conduct is marked by documents passed to the court and only excluded heavy weapons. Hence, livestock animals and furniture are the property of forces who enter the village. As of the last legal requirement, it is the confiscation without the owner's approval. Its element of proof is when affirmation had been given away under coerciveness, fear, or any other type of oppression. The aforementioned is elaborated by the detention of the civil inhabitants while confiscating their wealth, forcing them to eyewitness the burn down of their houses using dynamite or bulldozers.

    D- Rape:

    It occurs when the perpetrator assault another person's body, conducting a behavior which results in penetrating the sexual organ in any part of the victim's body, or penetrating any other body or organ in the anus or sexual organ's overture [vagina], however trivial this penetration was. The element of proof is the availability of evidence concerning the penetration of bodies in overtures available within the victim's body. This had been proved via some plaintiffs' testimonies that were exposed to rape, supported by witnesses' authentications in front of the court. The other legal requirement, for this crime, is that the rape being conducted using force or threat. The elements of proof are available by the coerced conditions such as armed dispute, victim's detention, loss of virginity, and exposed to being beaten while resisting the perpetrator, as one victim mentioned that her jawbone had been broken (due to a tight punch) leading to the conclusion that the act had been forcefully conducted.

    E- Issuing orders to dislocate civil inhabitants for reasons correlated to the dispute, unless such conduct is for the sake of concerned civilians or mandatory military reasons:

    The legal requirements and elements of proof of this crime are represented by issuing orders to dislocate civil inhabitants for reasons correlated to the dispute, unless it is due to concerned inhabitants' security or mandatory military reasons. This requires an evidence that the dislocation's order had been executed without choice, the thing that is elaborated through issued orders enclosed in documents, passed to the court, pertaining to the dislocation of villagers whose villages were more near to Baghdad, aside those located on border-lines, to different places, with no necessity to protect or secure them.

    The prosecutor also clarified in his brief: The mass graves and Defense Commission's incapability to describe it, especially after what experts stated in legal and scientific terms, contented by these details and descriptions, as well as the doctors' testimony, in the court, attributed as experts and witnesses, describing the chemical injuries and treating the villagers, denying the existence of any Iranian or armed element among the victims, contrary to convicts' pretends that the north was controlled by Iranians back then.

    Destroying the villages after being attacked, coercively dislocating the inhabitants and murdering them throughout Al Anfal Campaign, was not related to Iraq-Iran War. The organization and implementation of Al Anfal Campaign highlight the intention of raiding a preplanned war which words can not describe. The pattern adopted in executing the aforementioned campaign holds ghoulish scenes as estimations indicate a total loot, burn, and devastation of villages using bulldozers, explosives and raids, easing somehow 4000 villages as per a preplanned and organized attack. Each village had been destroyed based on a document issued by the Presidential Diwan; where each detailed document is sent to high forces commands' headquarter including a detailed description of the whole operation and its results. Al Anfal torn apart the Kurds' life as the Kurdish people suffered unbearable circumstances. The organization and execution of this operation indicate a criminal intention with no doubt.

    Requirements:

    Genocide, crimes against humanity, and War Crimes occurred due to a large-scale attack where an organized plan had been laid down. Anyone who assisted, instigated or helped, in any way, facilitating or contributing to perpetrating the crime, including the provision of crime's tools, is held responsible as per Article [15/second/(C)] of Iraqi High Tribunal. Therefore, all convicts are taken for original actors, vis-a-vis these crimes, hence, we recommend their incrimination as per Article [11] of the court's code with its clauses:

    First:

    • Clause [(A)] Murder by virtue of Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal, identifying the sentence as per Article [406/1/( A)] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24/First] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law
    • Clause [(B)] causing serious physical or mental damages against group's members by virtue of Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal, identifying the sentence as per Article [413] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law
    • Clause [(C)] subjugating the group, premeditatedly, to certain living conditions with the aim to partially or completely eradicate it as per Artide^J^ of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [406/1/(A)] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law. As well, incriminate them as per Article [12] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law via its clauses.

    First:

    • Clause [(A)] premeditated murder as per Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [406/1/A)] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law
    • Clause [(B)] genocide as per Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [206/1/A)] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law
    • Clause [(D)] relocation or coercive dislocation of inhabitants as per Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [24] of Clause [Fifth] of this court's code.
    • Clause [(H)] persecuting any given group of inhabitants for political, ethnical or racial purposes as per Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [24], Clause [Fifth] of this court's code.
    • Clause [(I)] Coercive harboring of inhabitants as per Article [15] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law, identifying the sentence as per Article [421] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law as per Clause [Fourth]
    • (A) premeditatedly leading attacks against civil inhabitants, in their current status [TC: as being civilians], or against civil individuals uninvolved directly in war operations as per Article [15] of this court's code, identifying the sentence as per Article [406/1/A)] contributed to Article [24] of this court's code.
    • (D) Intend to raid over buildings appropriated to religious or educational purposes as per Article [15] of this court's code, identifying the sentence as per Article [478/2] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] this court's code.
    • (E) Looting any town or place even if it had been forcefully confiscated as per Article [15] of this court's code, identifying the sentence as per Article [445] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of this court's code.
    • (F) Rape as per Article [15] of this court's code, identifying the sentence as per Article [393/2/C)] of Iraqi Penal Code contributed to Article [24] of this court's code.

    Finally, the prosecution committee recommend, from your court, to lay down the strictest sentence against 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, Sultan Hashim Ahmad Al-Ta'i, Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri, Husayn Rashid Muhammad and Farhan Mutlak Al-Juburi, who ravaged the land with corruption, eradicated the harvest and posterity, did not pity an old man, woman, or child, even all God's creatures from animals, trees, natural environments. None escaped their tyranny and cynicism. The faithful says, honorable and gracious in his umpire Noble Book, In the Name of God All Merciful All Compassionate, "And if someone aimed trough the land to corrupt, eradicate the harvest and posterity, as God does not favor corruption" [Al-Baqarah: 205] Hence, as the strictest sentence is the one which should be applicable, Article [406/1/(A)] will be adopted, stating the death sentence as the Article recommended.

    Regarding Convict Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani; the submitted evidences before your court, limited to the two documents No. [3744] and [3972] on 1986 Aug 26 and Sep 6 consecutively, issued by Northern Affairs Committee to Presidential Diwan, included a proposal to execute 10 detainees from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan [included in the first document]. The second document contained a proposal to Northern Affairs Committee concerning saboteurs' money and relatives, acknowledging that the aforementioned documents' date is prior to that of this case. As for the advisory order issued by Northern Organization Office, holding the Ref No [4008] on 1987 June 20, Clause [6] does not contain a document or proof corroborating that the aforementioned convict used this jurisdiction, rather it is an order by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. Concerning document No. [5083] on 1987 July 22, it encircles Convict's, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, comment over chopping off the traitors' heads. This comment is not correlated to Tahir Tawfiq Al-'Ani. As of the mass graves, found in Al-Hadar and Al-Salamiyyah Police Camp, where Kurdish detainees were arrested, there was no evidence that the convict played a role but rather a presumption as the aforementioned mass graves and police camp are located within the administrative area of Ninawa governorate. Hence, a presumption is never determined evidence. For all these reasons, the general prosecution commission recommends from your court to dismiss charges and release him for lack of sufficient evidences as per Article [183/( C)] of Criminal Trial Procedures law.

    Finally, the human conscience is highly counting on your honorable court to fulfill justice through your just judgment, so that justice will shine victorious in the end. This court is the first, in contemporary history, as being a national court looking in International Crimes, questioning and prosecuting former statesmen for carrying massacres against their own people. The law is stronger than combined evils which Al Anfal organizers caused to the Kurdish people ... Your just verdict will reunite the sons of our populace together, granting them all, once again, hope.

    Therefore, General Prosecutor's commission requests to refer all names mentioned in documents and evidences, which had been proffered before your court, and were designated as involved in Al Anfal campaigns, to take legal charges against them, in each case, with all other fugitives away from this case's prosecution.

    [Charges against convicts as per indictment document]

    Background

    On 1987 March 18, a meeting, between bygone Revolutionary Command Council and State Command of the Ba'th Party, had been held to discuss the Kurds' situation in Northern Iraq. Both commands draw a clear policy of targeting the Northern area. As a consequence, a decree had been issued, holding Ref No [160] dated 1987 March 19, granting 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid immense jurisdictions to implement the policy identified in the decree.

    Decree [160] on 1987 March 29:

    Based on Clause [(A)] of Article [42], and Clause [(A)] of Article [43] of the constitution, as per implementation of the joint meeting's outcome, between Revolutionary Command Council and State Command of the Social Ba'th Party, held on 1987 March 18,

    The Revolutionary Command Council had decided in its session, on 1987 March 29, the following:

    First: Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, State Command Member in the Social Arab Ba'th Party, will be representing the Party State and Revolutionary Commands Council, implementing their policies all over the Northern area, including Kurdistan Autonomous Ruling area, aiming to preserve security, order and stability, applying the Autonomous Ruling law within the area.

    Second: Comrade, State Command Member, to attain this decree's objective, will be the one who all government's civil, military and security systems will report to, granting him the jurisdictions of National Security Council and Northern Affairs Committee.

    Third: The following authorities will be correlated, all over the Northern area, by Comrade-State Command Member, abiding by decrees and directions issued by him, imperatively applied as per the aforementioned decree.

    1- Kurdistan Autonomous Ruling Executive Council
    2- The governorates governors and administrative units' leaders affiliated to Ministry of Local Administration.
    3- Intelligence systems, internal security forces and military intelligence
    4- People's Army commands

    Fourth: the region's military commanders have to comply with the Comrade-State Command Member's orders, in everything related to Article [first] of this decree.

    Fifth: This decree is effective from its issuance until further notice as all legal articles which contradict this decree will be frozen.

    The decree is signed by Convict Saddam Hussein Al-Majid, the bygone Revolutionary Command Council's Commander. The dangerous crimes committed in Al Anfal operations and the concept of eradicating the Kurds as a national ethnic group in Northern Iraq had been instigated right after issuing Decree [160] for the year 1987. The planning and preparations, guided by the highest point of authority [Convict Saddam Hussein] as being head of the bygones Revolutionary Command Council and State Command of the Ba'th Party General Secretary. This is manifested in the aforementioned decree, emphasizing on their policy's implementation in the region. Convict Saddam Hussein expressed his intention, during his audio-taped conversation passed for this court on 2007 January 08, where he lanced "we will convert them into Arab now, as Salah 'Umar Al-'Ali's relatives became Arabs". In another passage, he added "they gained their bad characters from the 'Ajam (T.C: the Persians) ", meaning the Kurds gained their bad characters from the Persians. These offensive words, against the Kurds as a national ethnic group, highlight Convict Saddam Hussein disdain for this community.

    What occurred in Decree [160] for the year 1987, and commensurate issued directions recognized as Letter No. [4008] on 1987 June 20, as well as letter correlated with chemical gases' usage in Kurdistan; reveal the domination of a plan or policy, on the national level, desiring the eradication of Kurds as a national and ethnic group, carried by Revolutionary Command Council and the Ba'th Party, whereas Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is member in both and in-charge of Northern Organization Office Bureau which is empowered to employ their policies against Kurds in Northern Iraq. The latter took of Kirkuk headquarter, putting all states civil, military and security's systems under his command. He is the supreme leader of Northern Area as per Decree [160] for the year 1987. It is worth mentioning that before the designated convict took power, as absolute ruler of the Northern Area, there were raids targeting civil inhabitants, using a diversity of weapons [conventional and prohibited], but were not concentrated. After the issuance of the aforementioned decree, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid translated the Council and Party's intentions to acts launching massacres, coerce dislocation of inhabitants, destroying villages, using conventional and chemical weapons against villages' civil inhabitants, field executions, economic besiegement, and prevention of human and animal existence in the area. The military forces attacked using all type of weapons such as artillery, rocket launchers, armors, infantry, airplanes and helicopters against the Kurdish villages. Then, they burned them to ashes, arresting all the inhabitants, killing those who tried to escape, transporting them in military-governmental vehicles to North Organizing Office and then to detention camps in Tupzawa Dibs, Nazarki and Al-Salamiyyah or to security committees in the governorates. The detainees were exposed to harsh living conditions, torture, rape, humiliation, famine, and segregation of men and women, young and older females, young and older males. Some were transferred to Nuqrat Al-Salman prison camp while others were buried in mass graves at Al-Hadar in Al-Mawsil, and Al-Samawah desert in Al-Muthanna Governorate. These mass graves were located and excavated by international experts, under the court's supervision. There are documents and official letters which the convicts approve its authentication or had been proved through forensic evidences, as example but not exclusively: letter No. [4008] on 1987 June 20, issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, headlined "Handling villages within the Prohibited Zone", including many vital issues as: preventing human and animal existence, banning in and out travel, agronomy, agricultural and industrial investment, allowing free shooting with no restrictions whatsoever, murdering any individual arrested whose age-range is included between 15 and 70 years old, as well as granting jurisdictions to national defense regiments to confiscate civil villagers' properties. On the other hand, tens of official documents and letters were released from Presidency of the Republic, Armed Forces General Command, Chief of Army Staff, General Military Intelligence Directorate [GMID], Ministry of Defense, Corps Commanders, and Security Directorates concerning methods of execution, on a large scale basis, of attacks eradicating the Kurds as a national ethnic community via chemical gases targeting civilians, destroying their villages, carrying field executions and coercive dislocation, raiding over residential compounds. As an example, we mention General Security Directorate's [GSD] memo No [9223] directed to 45th Directorate, including the implementation of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to execute 28 individuals from Shaqlawa for participation in sabotage acts, including 4 women. Another example is GMID letter directed to North Organizing Office, holding Ref No [1933] on 1987 September 08, which included the output of a concentrated artillery strike using special ammunition [meaning chemical weapons], and North Organization Office's letter No [5083], on 1987 July 22, directed to 1st Corps, including a comment by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid "we do not object cutting off the traitors' heads, but it had been better of sending them to Security for investigation, maybe they would have useful Intel info, before executing them". Ministry of Defense Diwan's letter No [8574], on 1988 April 26, directed to Chief of Army Staff, including what Armed Forces General Commander's Deputy lanced "To accrue a psychological influence bigger than that achieved, we do not object a strike via special ammunition if there is a target which deserves punishment". Chief of Army Staff letter No [349], on 1988 Apr 27, headlined to 1st Corps [Sultan Hashim Ahmad], and 5th Corps [Ayad Khalil], including "it is possible to lead strikes via special ammunition against saboteurs' forces". Armed Forces General Command letter is granting (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) and (Ayad Khalil) medals of honor; for their participation in Al-Anfal Operations. The correspondence of Chief of Army Staff No. 1122 on 1988 August 21, which is addressed to the 1st Corps and the 5th corps, and indicates to the meeting of Chief of Army Staff and the deputy for the operations in (Kirkuk),

    (The concentration of the population will be determined in the 5th Corps sector, and it will be treated by the fierce special attacks 48 hours prior to starting the operations, to create a panic situation in their side, and to prevent them from helping the saboteurs). The correspondence of General Command of the Armed Forces No. 177 on 1988 MAR 02, which delivered the instruction of the convict (Saddam Hussein) to the deputy of General Command of the Armed Forces, and the Chief of Army Staff, in the meeting of the General Command on Saturday 1988 MAR 19, including continuing the attacks against the enemy and the saboteurs, by the artillery and air force, and put special ammunition attacks among the conventional artillery attacks (its preferable to use the special ammunition at night),

    The correspondence of Chief of Army Staff No. 654, on 1988 May 22, addressed to Ministry of Defense, included the following article "Strikes were executed via special ammunition on 1988 May 05, over saboteurs' headquarters within the 5th Corps' sector". Presidency of the Republic - Secretary's correspondence with GMID, holding Ref No [808], dated 1987 March 12, including a study tackling President Commander Saddam Hussein decree to raid Al-Barzani clan's headquarters with special ammunition. The respond [GMID to Presidency of the Republic - Secretary], numbered [6885] on 1987 March 25, included suggestions over special ammunition usage. Presidency of the Republic - Secretary's letter back to GMID, holding Ref No [965] on 1987 March 29, granted an approval over the aforementioned suggestion, targeting the Kurds. Finally, Health Directorate - Kirkuk Governorate letter, headlined to Internal Affairs - Al-Ta'mim Governorate, numbered [783] on 1988 June 12, included receiving Kurds' corpses coming from Dibs and Tupzawa prison camps, not adequate to legal conditions.

    Summary:

    After we briefly reviewed the bygone Revolutionary Command Council's Decree No. [160] for the year 1987, and letter [4008] dated 1987 June 20, issued by North Organization Office, as well as all other letters and documents affiliated with special orders to raid the Kurds, in Northern Iraq, methods of usage pertained to chemical gases, their relocation and dislocation toward prison camps, destroying down their villages, and after reviewing some victims' testimonies, how they have been murdered, chemical gases' usage, devastating their villages, dislocating them to camps, without mentioning the exposure to torture, mistreatment, humiliation, harsh living conditions, leading to the death of some due to famine or torture, and the diversity of persecution, torture and rape, due to all the aforementioned, it had been referred to experts' opinions vis-a-vis what they examined in the mass graves and accomplished analysis, matching what they witnessed to what they drew as outcome, after listening to victims' testimonies, exploring the mass graves' status, as well as proving the chemical weapons' usage.

    For what had been mentioned, it becomes certain to the court, that the previous Iraqi regime committed dangerous crimes against the Kurds in Northern Iraq, handling them as national ethnic group, specifically against civilians. Theses crimes included genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as we will elaborate the legal requirements of each crime, as well as its elements of proof, in a detailed manner:

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid

    Born in 1941, occupied the following positions:

    1. General Security Director for the year 1986.
    2. Northern Organization Office's General Secretary from 1987 till 1989.
    3. Minister of Interior for the year 1990.
    4. Kuwait Governor from 1990 till 1991.
    5. Minister of Defense from 1991 till 1995.
    6. Bygone Revolutionary Command Council's member.
    7. State Command of the bygone Social Arab Ba'th Party's member.

    Charges against Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid as per indictment form

    On 20 February 2007, in the 46th hearing, the court incriminated the convict with the below charges:

    First: Genocide

    Article [11/ first]:

    A. Murdering a given group's members.
    B. Causing severe mental and physical damages to a given group's members
    C. Subdue the given group, premeditatedly, to harsh living conditions, aiming to partially or totally eradicate them.

    By virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third, and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005.

    Second: Crimes against Humanity Article [12/ first]

    A. Premeditated murder.
    B. Genocide.
    C. Enslavement.
    D. Relocate or coercively dislocate the inhabitants
    E. Imprisonment or extreme deprivation of any other manner of physical freedom contrary to International Law's basic regulations
    F. Torture
    G. Persecuting any given group or given community for political, racial, patriotic, ethnic, cultural, religious or gender purposes or for other reasons not legitimized by International Law, correlated with any aforementioned act of sexual violence on this level of danger.
    H. Coerce harboring of individuals.
    I. Other inhuman acts, holding identical characteristics, which premeditatedly cause severe sufferings or serious damages, affecting the body or physical or mental health.

    By virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third, and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005.

    Third: War crimes

    Article [13] means war crimes for this code's purposes, as follow:

    Fourth: other dangerous violations of codes and customs crucially implemented over non-international armed conflicts, within International Law's logic scope, precisely any of the following acts.

    Article [13/ Fourth]

    A. Premeditatedly target attacks against civil inhabitants, as per their current situation [TC: for being civil inhabitants], or against civilians uninvolved directly in war activities.
    B. Premeditatedly target raids over buildings appropriated for religious, educational, artistic, scientific or charitable purposes, or against historical monuments, hospitals, and injured and patients' gathering centers, conditioned that all the aforementioned were not military objectives.
    C. Looting any town or place even if it had been forcefully confiscated.
    D. Issuing orders to dislocate civil inhabitants for reasons correlated with the dispute if not for their safety or necessary military reasons.
    E. Devastate or seize hostile properties, if it was not a matter forced by the necessities of war, by virtue of Article [15/First, Second, Third, and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005.

    Article [15/First]: an individual, who commits a crime within the court's jurisdiction, is held responsible as an individual, exposed to sentence as per this court's codes.

    Second: an individual is held responsible as per this court's code and Iraqi Penal Code, if he carried the following:

    A. If he commits the crime as an individual, contributor, or via another person regardless if the latter was responsible or not criminally.
    B. To order the perpetration of a crime as an individual, contributor, or via another person regardless if the latter was responsible or not criminally.
    C. To help, incite, or assist in any other way aiming to facilitate the perpetration of the crime, or its attempt of the commission, including the provision of crime's tools.
    D. To contribute in any other way, with a group of individuals, with a common criminal intention, aiming to perpetrate or instigate a crime, conditioned that this contribution is premeditated and be implemented:

      a. Either to reinforce group's criminal act or purpose, if the activity or aim enclosed perpetrating a crime within the court's jurisdiction.
      b. Or with the acknowledgment of the group's intent to perpetrate the crime.

    E. Direct and public incitement of perpetrating the crime as if correlated to genocide.
    F. Instigate a crime through commencing the execution, intending to commit it, hence, the crime does not occur for reasons far beyond the perpetrator's reach, is considered an exonerated reason if the committer spared effort to prevent the crime's implementation or accomplishment. He will not be charged for instigation, as per this law, if he [the perpetrator] abandoned, completely and willingly, his criminal project.

    Third: the convict's official position will not be an exempt or moderator of punishment, whether the convict was a statesman, Revolutionary Command Council's member or commander, Prime or Minister in the Cabinet, or Ba'th Party Command's member. Immunity must not be considered as allegation to get rid of charges for committing the crime mentioned in Articles [11], [12], [13] and [14] of this code.

    Fourth: The supreme leader will not be exempt from criminal responsibility over crimes committed by his subordinates, if the first was aware, have reasons to be acknowledged that his henchmen committed such acts, or were about to commit them, and he did not take necessary and appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence of these acts, or referred this incident to the appropriated authorities to carry investigation and prosecution.

    1- Resume of plaintiffs' (victims) testimonies and eyewitnesses':

    The Iraqi army launched a systematic wide-scaled attack, starting March 1987 till Al Anfal Closure [Al Anfal Eighth Operation], stretching over vast regions in Kirkuk, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil and Duhuk governorates. The court authenticated more than 70 Plaintiffs' (victims) testimonies, as the majority of victims described the attacks as Armageddon. Most of them asked accusation against Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, even though they did not see him murdering, imprisoning, beating up, or dislocating villages' inhabitants and Kurdish towns ... They asked accusation against him for being the ultimate ruler of Northern Zone, as per Decree [160] for the year 1987, as well as issuing orders to military, civil and security commands, in addition to party and intelligence systems which perpetrated genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, before and through Al Anfal operations. All these perpetrations were carried by direct orders from the aforementioned convict, as per letter [4008] dated 20 June 1998. They also accuse him for being in-charge of prison camps in Tupzawa, Dibs, Nazarki and Al-Salamiyyah where Kurdish men, women and children were detained for being part of a national ethnic community, driving them away, harboring and burying them in mass graves which had been later explored and included thousands of Kurds ... Below, we enclose examples of victims' complaints and testimonies [plaintiffs and witnesses]. Plaintiff [victim] Najibah Khidir Ahmad mentioned, in the 2nd hearing, dated 2006 August 22, that, when she was detained in Rashkin Camp with other villages' inhabitants, she watched many people dying, identifying some residing her hometown who died from chemical strikes against the village. The victims were identified as [NAME REDACTED].

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]included in his testimony, dated 2006 September 11, in front of this court "on 1987 September 03, Emergency Forces invaded our village, burning it down and detonating the electricity, as they confiscated all livestock belonging to the villagers. My seized share contained 100 goats and sheep. All villagers were arrested and moved to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security Directorate and then back to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Emergencies. At one night, 9 names were called [[NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED]] as well as two of Kalar inhabitants. All the aforementioned were executed behind the prison's fence. After getting them outside, I heard shootings and acknowledge from guards that those were executed for being arrested within the Prohibited Zone".

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]mentioned in his testimony, dated 1987 September 12, in front of this court "in the second month of 1988, ours and nearby villages had been bombed for seven consecutive days, and then the state's forces raided from 3 axis over village, arresting 90 villagers, while the rest managed to escape. The village's properties had been looted by the offensive forces, burning the village to ashes. I escaped to Iran as my brother's wife and 5 of her children were arrested. After 6 months, when I returned back from Iran, I knew from elders coming back from Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp that she, and her children, were taken to an anonymous place when segregating women and men at Tupzawa Camp. In 2004, I came to court, and was informed that 4 identification cards belonging to my brother's children were found in the mass graves, by the court ."

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]stated, on 2006 September 14, in front of this court "in 1988, I was residing Sidar village, which was under the regime's control, wherein it was bombed intensively. The children and women moans reached the skies as inhabitants took refuge in basements and caves. When the Iraqi forces lunched a multi-axis, I escaped the village, accompanied with my 9 years old child, and hid in one cave. I gazed, from that location, at my village using a periscope. I saw those gathering children and women in the mosque's hall, packing them in vehicles while the bulldozers are devouring the village. I ran away to Iran, where I stayed for six months, until the amnesty's issuance. I turned back to Iraq and surrendered to the authorities. They put me in Al-Salam Camp, and managed to visit my mother released from Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp. She told me that she recognized my wife and children at Tupzawa Camp, before being released, but does not know their fate. When I met Saddam Hussein inquiring my family's fate, he responded [Shut up! They were lost in the Anfal]" Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]mentioned in his testimony, dated 2006 September 15, before this court "On 1988 March 22-23 [nighttime], my village had been exposed to chemical attacks, as I eye-witnessed Siwsinan smoking out. I was sure that the raid was a chemical one as I was ill for breathing toxic gases. I was hospitalized at Shursh where I was treated. Afterward, I escaped to the mountains. The very next day, I recognized mine and other villages burning down as a raid's consequence. I ran away with the families towards Kirkuk as I saw many families reaching Mila Sura where we had been encircled by the army, arrested, and dislocated to Qura Tu Camp, and then to Tupzawa camp. There, they segregated women and men, youngsters and elders. I saw my daughter [NAME REDACTED]crying bloodily. All possessions and rings were taken away from youngsters. I was moved to Nuqrat Al-Salman as my wife and five children's fates remain anonymous, not knowing anything about them.etc".

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], one of the survivors from the mass graves, testified in the 23rd hearing, dated 2006 November 27, "I eye-witnessed soldiers standing on edge of a hole, holding guns ... One of them shot down the people in the hole ... I was shot in my shoulder ... I saw a pregnant woman in that hole, shot by soldiers as blood was pouring out of her head ... I saw my sister [NAME REDACTED]in the hole while being shot, as well as my mother who had been shot in the head cutting down part of the veil covering her head ... I saw my maternal uncle's wife [NAME REDACTED]when she was shot ... The shooting lasted for a time on those in the pit ... It was like rain bullets ... The pit was full of blood ... as if sitting in a sea-blood.

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED] testified, on 1987 June 5, that I was one of the Pishmarga Forces, affiliated to Iraqi Communist Party, was positioned in Gali Siwa. Around seven o'clock nighttime, four Iraqi SUKHOY aircrafts raided over, striking with chemical bombs. She followed the inhabitants to the basement accompanied by comrade [NAME REDACTED], and her sons [NAME REDACTED]and [NAME REDACTED]. After a while, the aircrafts raided a second time. She told [NAME REDACTED]"I smell something", while recognizing that [NAME REDACTED] was wounded, [NAME REDACTED]was crying out of pain, and [NAME REDACTED]vomiting,. She asked what's going wrong and responded that they smell gunpowder. [NAME REDACTED] was lying on the floor near the hospital fainting while bombs continued to hit targets. After midnight, they were attacked by chemical weapons. They identified condensed smokes surrounding people who were crying, vomitting or aching. [NAME REDACTED]died, [NAME REDACTED] got blind due to chemical substances, and [NAME REDACTED]died.

    Bubles started to appear on the plaintiff's skin, while many individuals went blind. Bombs were exploding into white to gray smokes. They were not that noisy. They acknowledged a march of Irqi forces as people were in mess. It had been agreed to withdrw to the Turkish borders, taking a period of 10 days. The victim showed a picture of a 40-days-old child named ([NAME REDACTED]), a retarded child who witnessed all these operations and is residing Danmark. Another, 2-years-old [NAME REDACTED], was in my arms when raiding chemicals, had turned blind. When we were in refuge camps in Turkey, they were exposed to a severe diarrhea, as the victim was close to dying. This was the situation of many human [men and women] as well as animals. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], from Balisan, testified the following "I am Iraqi, Kurdish by origin. The Ba'th Regime attacked our villages several times via a diversity of aircrafts and weapons including chemicals. On 1987 April 16, at noon, around 6:15, villagers came back to their homes as well as their livestock. Suddenly, a group of aircrafts soared over Balisan, mounting between 8 and 12, and bombed both Balisan and Shaykh Wasanan. The sounds of bombs were low, but the smokes invaded Balisan skies. We smelled something like rotten apples or garlic. After few minutes, most of the villagers' eyes turned red as many started vomiting. Each family went apart hiding in caves or beneath trees. Some remained home. My family, made of eight individuals, saw some wounded and others screaming. At night, we lost sight or visibility and our bodies were burned. We had no one but God to rely on. Two women were moaning, as one pregnant delivered her baby who died immediately due to chemical toxics. They called the baby Chemical [Kimya'] [NAME REDACTED]. We were blind, not able to see anything. They segregated me from my wife who I don't know where they took her. After, we were all detained somewhere . I was not able to see. They seized all our possessions, not turning them back. We were hospitalized and treated as we recognized that we were ailed from chemicals. At the hospital, we were detained by Security systems". The victim mentioned that someone called [NAME REDACTED]was martyred once they had them hospitalized, affected by chemicals. The plaintiff's wife told him that she and her daughter were detained in (Irbil) after segregating men and women. His uncle, [NAME REDACTED], disappeared and his fate remains anonymous and the security men confiscated all they own.

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]testified before this court, in the third hearing dated 2006 August 22, that "on 1988 August 24, Iraqi Forces, in collaboration with National Defense Regiments, surrounded Kurdish civil inhabitants in Dahuk, Zakhu, Sarsang, Sumil, Al-'Amadiyyah, Diyar 'Ajm, Batufa, from two sides, preventing any individual from escaping while arresting many . All the arrestees were civilians, no one was from Pishmarga. I saw two SUKHOY aircrafts bombing a number of villages which are Ikmala, Mirkaji, Habsi, and Kharba . I saw many wounded moaning from pain, vomiting with jutting out red eyes. I went to my brother's Salih village to know his fate as well as that of his wife [NAME REDACTED]and his son [NAME REDACTED]. I was accompanied with my other brother [NAME REDACTED], relative [NAME REDACTED]. When we reached nearby my brother's house I saw him and his son lying on the floor, hugging each other [dead], hundred meters away from the porch. His wife's corpse was meters away. The prepared mule was still standing waiting to move them away while the poultry was gone. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], resident of 'Azaban County, proclaimed that "In 1987, the Republican Guard's brigade attacked our village with tanks. They were equipped with bulldozers and military (Lorry) trucks ... Our village had been destroyed, as demolition acts carried on from morning till six o'clock afternoon, though our village was not a Prohibited Zone . There was no reason to attack other than being Kurds. On 1987 September 8, 20 Security Forces' squads raided over Sharbazir Village. Me and my brothers, [NAME REDACTED]and [NAME REDACTED], were in the aforementioned village and were arrested by security squads . Our village and livestock had been looted, as we were arrested and transported by their vehicles. On the road, they shot a number of mules, killing some as the livestock pertaining to the villagers was dislocated. We were handed to Al-Sulmaniyyah Emergencies, called out by Major Taha who was in charge of the Emergencies at the time. When we entered the prison camp, we were 16 from 'Arbat village. We remained under detention for three months, we were extremely tortured. Our food was poisoned causing diarrhea and vomit . There was 126 detainees where 58 were moved to another cell. I was among them as my brothers [[NAME REDACTED]] remained in the camp and their fates are anonymous. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], resident of Balisan, mentioned, in the third hearing, dated 2006 August 22, that she and others of her hometown's inhabitants, including cousins [NAME REDACTED], were detained in Irbil Security Directorate, by security systems, and 3 were dead in the prison.

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], resident of Siwsinan, mentioned in front of the court, on 2006 September 20, "At sunset, two aircrafts soared the village's sky ... We headed to the basements ... bombing started ... After half an hour, it stopped ... I asked my daughter to go to the roof to know what happened ... Then, I went out and identified 14 corpses . 7 are from [NAME REDACTED]family . The remaining belongs to my daughter [NAME REDACTED]and her five children, 2 are those of [NAME REDACTED]wife and his son [NAME REDACTED]... I found the so called [NAME REDACTED]alive . All injured, mounting to 41, were transported to a nearby clinic ... The number of martyrs was 81 ... 70 died from chemical weapons as the court applied a field examination of the mass graves where they had been entombed.

    Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], a resident of Kurji village, included his testimony, while facing the court [21st hearing] on 2006 November 7, "On 1988 August 26-25 [nighttime], we received news from neighboring villages informing that Iraqi forces will implement Al Anfal Operations, that no one will survive. All our village's inhabitants gathered, thinking what to do. We left everything behind and tried to escape. We reached the road leading to Kani Masi and Turkish Borders after . We realized that the road had been cut down before us. We couldn't overpass and many inhabitants turned back, hiding in farms . On 1988 August 27-26 [nighttime], we tried another time crossing over this street but in vain . The army took control over it so we hid back in caves . On 1988 August 28 [morning], at 5 in the dawn, we were bombed . The army encircled us from all sides . We surrendered . They retook us to our village . They gathered us all [men, women and children] . They ordered 33 men, me included, to line up ... They took us to the bottom of the hill ... They ordered us to look them in the face . I saw 16 soldiers standing opposite our side . Two officers forced us to sit on the ground . The other officer issued the order to shoot ... He said "Shoot!" ... The soldiers shot us with fire ... We all hit the ground ... They refill their guns 3 times ... When running out of ammunition, he refills till the third one when the officer ordered them [soldiers] to shoot one shot on each one of us ... He shot me in the head, hit my forehead, and then all the soldiers retreated back to the tree where they could not see us . In that instant, I tried to stand up and check on my father . I saw him dying . I saw my brothers, [NAME REDACTED]and [NAME REDACTED]dying ... I saw 18 of my relatives dying ... When I checked on all of them, they were all dead except my cousin [NAME REDACTED] who was injured in his legs. I moved and placed him in a big pit. I tried to escape. Meanwhile, I saw [NAME REDACTED], from my hometown, emerging from beneath the corpses. Each of [NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED], from Jalka and [NAME REDACTED], survived. We remained hidden in caves until 1988 September 7, without food or water. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], testified in front of the court, on 2006 August 22, stating "on 1987 April 16, I was with my family, constituted of my husband [NAME REDACTED]and five children. I heard aircrafts roaring in the air, so I took my children down to the basement. My husband followed me. We heard bombs and smelled rotten apple. My children started vomiting and aching. My health degraded and started vomiting. When my husband came back from the mosque, he informed me that the army is aiming an attack against us, as many groupings are waiting orders. The villagers left, using animals, toward the mountains taking some food items. We moved along with them to the caves. I was blind. Late at night, others came and took us to Raniya, by trucks. The situation there was as if Armageddon. There, I was acknowledged that chemical strikes reached Shaykh Wasanan. I lost my husband and his uncle. They put me and my 5 children in a room then Security Systems moved us to Irbil, where Balisan and Shaykh Wasanan families were concentrated in one camp. They did not give us food supplies or treatment. After 9 days, they gathered us in the camp's patio. I could not afford to walk due to burns in my legs and body, as my skin was flayed. I still bear scars till now. The soldiers segregated women and children. They bring big vehicles, called out 29 names and drove them away to an anonymous side. Then, they brought the women inside the camp, brought military vehicles and transported us Khalifan. Down the road, two women died. I came back to Siwsinan with my brother-in-law. Till now, my children are ashamed of the scars from chemical weapons' deformations. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], a sergeant, testified in the 28th hearing, on 2006 December 6, "On 1987 April 21, we reached Bargalu village which was bombed by chemical weapons ... I reached the hospital along with [NAME REDACTED]... 30 injured individuals where laying in the hospital ... among them 8 injured by chemical weapons including a 8 or 9 years old child whose body was burning and his eyes swollen ... He died after two days despite the therapy ... On 1988 [TC: month not included] 22-23 [nighttime], [NAME REDACTED]told me that Siwsinan was chemically bombed ... We reached the hospital ... They brought us 70 casualties including someone called [NAME REDACTED]... The latter 4 children and wife ... Also [NAME REDACTED], [NAME REDACTED]were martyred ... We knew that 72 individuals from Siwsinan were dead by chemical weapons. Witness Yunis Haji Haji, one of the mass graves' survivors, says "I was one of the Pishmarga and prior to 1988, there was a vicious fight between the army and Pishmarga forces, which lasted for two and a half months ... After a cease-fire between Iraq and Iran ... The government withdrew all military troops from the south to be deployed in the north. I was injured back then and couldn't take part in the battles which occurred after this date between both sides ... The competency was null ... I stayed in Khalifan ... My family turned me to Suran Security Directorate, after hearing about the amnesty on 1988 August 15 ... I was 19 years old ... I was transferred to Irbil Security Directorate with 97 other individuals ... they recorded our names and confiscated our official documents ... We were exposed to torture ... We were all Kurds ... They moved us toward Kirkuk ... The vehicle stopped beside a building headlined Northern Affairs Organization ... They drove us in ... It included two big halls ... One is designated for women and children, so they took us to the other one ... In the first three days, the torture was excessive ... They used to take us to one of the rooms filled with broken glass and order us to walk, backward and forward, on the glass. Also, they bounded us over to a platforms, placing bags of icy cold water on our heads, slightly perforated. Small drops of bloody cold water splash on our foreheads weighting like a mountain ... They used to order us to be taken to toilets where the guard started counting from 1 to 3, and God have mercy on that who's late ... They used to give us two loafs of bread per day ... We were afraid to eat, not to go to toilets and be beaten up there ... One day I went outside the hall and saw 3 hanged individuals ... On each one's sexual organ was tied a gas bottle ... Once, they brought 3 affiliated to Pishmarga. They were calling them Qashmar, Zawj, and Tartur (T.C: bad cursing words in Iraqi Arabic dialogue) ... If they called them and did not answer, they were beaten ghoulishly ... After 1988 Sep 6, we reached 180. They evacuated the hall containing the women and children and then they called out our names, one after another, filling three buses outside ... They tied, blindfolded and placed us in vehicles, notifying us that we are to be taken to Baghdad ... After driving for 5 minutes, the vehicles diverged from main road and took a dirt side road .. We started being worry ... We knew at the moment that we are going to die ... I managed to unite mine and took off the bandage off my eyes ... The cars stopped and we were 7 to be taking out of the vehicle ... I recognized a long pit and made me sit at its edge ... I felt strike at the back of my head ... I fell into the pit ... Dark was spreading its wings ... I fainted ... When I woke up, I realized that the lower part of my body is entombed ... I freed myself from the sand, though inside the pit ... I took advantage of the bulldozer's return to take sand ... I moved out of my place to the other side of the pit. When I got certain of the guards engagement, I escaped and turned away from the pit ... The pit's depth is between 15 and 20 meters, with 1.25 meters width. When I turned away from the pit, I heard numerous gunshots ... With us, was a retarded called [NAME REDACTED]who took an identical share of torture like us. The latter is from Karwan village. My powers were fading and exhausted due to starvation and thirst. I reached the main road.. .etc.

    Witness [NAME REDACTED], in the 27th hearing, on 2006 December 04, elaborated "I am a resident of Gup Tapa village. I was there in 1988 and lost 25 members of my family who are my mother [NAME REDACTED], my wife [NAME REDACTED]and my children [NAME REDACTED]. Only, my daughter [NAME REDACTED]survived ... I also lost my brothers [NAME REDACTED] [a teacher], [NAME REDACTED]and his wife [NAME REDACTED], as well as the first's wife [NAME REDACTED]and their children [NAME REDACTED], and Shilan, those of [NAME REDACTED], adding up my brother's [and his wife] [NAME REDACTED]children who had been killed affected by chemical weapons. On 1988 May 03, we witnessed army deployments, dropping over Kurka Smagh and Aghjalar mountains ... We felt danger ... I had already served in chemical classification, in the army, and obtained training on chemical weapons, as I used to have in my house 21 Anti-Atropine Injections which are anti-agents against toxic gases, particularly Nerve Gas ... Half and hour before sunset, we were bombed via aircrafts holding chemical weapons ... our village was exposed ... Smokes and dioxides invade its skies ... The bombardment was of little noise, so I shouted that the bombs are chemical ones ... I advised the people to use Kurdish traditional belts as a mask, after moistening it. They did not take my advice seriously. I put one on my nose and mouth, as well as my eyes, so not to be infected. On the road to the village, one girl told me "Woe, nobody is left for you" meaning all my family is vanished ... The time of strike was that of sunset, as the inhabitants will be gathered for lunch [during Ramadan], aiming to score the highest possible death toll ... My family wanted to reach the stream to use water ... I heard a child's moan, I had a flashlight to check the injured as I saw more than 70 individuals, from my family, in a 500 m square, down on the ground, affected by chemical weapons. I saw a woman down the stream [her face covered by water] and heard a child's moan right next to her. When I checked over her, she turned to be my mother. I wanted to kiss her but couldn't, fearful to be contaminated by chemical gases. I saw my 10 years old daughter [NAME REDACTED], passed away and left beside the stream, as well as my brother [NAME REDACTED]laying dead on his back as liquids flew out of his mouth. Two meters away, was my wife embracing the ground, hugging my 6 years old daughter [NAME REDACTED], while holding the other [NAME REDACTED]. The latter was dead but my wife still alive and vomiting. I injected my brother [NAME REDACTED], who was still alive, and many children whom passed away, in addition to my father who was alive, with Atropine, took him by an agricultural truck, and parted away to Tutafil. We lift the corpses of 4 children, mine and my brothers'.

    The Documents:

    Numerous documents and files, left by the former regime in its archive, had been provided to the court. All these files prove that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, a contributor with other convicts, committed savage crimes against Kurds as a national ethnic community. As example, we mention letter No [4008] on 1987 June 20, issued by the convict himself ordering First, Second, and Fifth Corps, as well as the rest of bygone Arab Socialist Ba'th Party systems, Security directorates, governors, and military intelligence systems in the area, to implement the instructions enclosed in the aforementioned letter such as prohibiting the existence of animals and humans in the area, banning in and out travel, agronomy, industrial and agricultural investment, permitting shooting with no restrictions whatsoever, killing any person within the Prohibited Zone or arrest him if his age range is between 15 and 70 years [included]. Letter No [79223] on 1987 December 05, issued from GSD to 45th Security Directorate, including an implementation of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid order to execute 28 individuals from Shaqlawa locals including 4 women. The GMID letter, addressed to the North Organization Office No [1933], on 1987 September 08, includes info tackling a concentrated artillery strike's [via special ammunition] outcome. As well, the Northern Organization Office letter No [5083], dated 1987 July 22, directed to the First Corps, including the convict's comment "We have no objection in regard of cutting off the traitors' heads, though it was preferable to refer them to Security for investigation, hoping to extract useful information prior to their execution". Ministry of Defense Letter No [8547], on 1988 April 26, addressed to Army Chief of Staff including what Armed Forces General Commander's Deputy [Minister of Defense] attributed "To induce a psychological effect bigger than that achieved ... We do not object a strike by special ammunition if there is a target which deserves such punishment".

    Army Chief of Staff Letter No [349], on 1988 April 27, addressed to First Corps -Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad and Fifth Corps - Convict Ayad Khalil Zaki which included "It is possible to strive an attack via special ammunition against the saboteurs". Armed Forces General Command's special letter granting Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad and fugitive Convict Ayad Khalil Zaki medals of bravery for their eminent role throughout Al Anfal Operations. Army Chief of Staff letter No [1122], on 1988 August 21, addressed to First and Fifth Corps, indicating the meeting attended by Army Chief of Staff and Military Operation Chief Staffs Deputy in Kirkuk, where its first article stated " concentrated population are being identified within Fifth Corps' sector and is handled by fierce special ... strikes, 48 hours prior to starting operations, to create a state of fear within their lines". GMID letter, directed to Northern Organization Office, headlined "Information" and including "At 16:00 hours, on 1987 September 3, a concentrated artillery strike, using special ammunition (Chemical), was directed to three of Iran's agents' henchmen's headquarters, located east of Dukan-Pira Magrun Main Road. Their casualties were 2 dead and 12 injured, as well as a number of dead and wounded from their [saboteurs] supporters and nearby villages, located at the vicinity of the aforementioned headquarters. Letter No [12703], dated 1987 June 10, issued by GMID to Northern Organization Office, titled "Air strike", including "On 1987 June 05 [sunset] an air strike had been directed using chemicals [special ammunition] over the first branch of Al-Barzani clan in Ziwa area, located north eastern Al-'Imadiyyah County - Duhuk Governorate which next to it is located the Northern [Bahdinan] Sector's headquarter belonging to the henchmen of Iraqi Communist Party. The strike was efficient as their casualties reached 31 dead and 100 injured". In the 34th hearing on 2007 January 08, over an audio tape, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid said "I will strike them with chemicals and eradicate them". In another passage, he elaborated "We strike them with chemicals and score high casualties". Moreover, in another passage of the same audio tape, submitted to the court in the 53rd hearing, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid reveals "Yesterday, I signed the papers of 35 individuals and told them: Hang them!". Also, Army Chief of Staff letter No [15787], on 1987 May 12, addressed to GMID, including Army Chief of Staff request to supply Air Force Command and Air Defense with traitors' locations and commands to destroy them. The Court had examined the response of GMID in Letter No [9819], on 1987 May 03, which was addressed to the Army Chief of Staff which includes a request to provide them with maps of Al-Sulaymaniyyah towns, Qal'at Diza, Qara Dagh, Kuysinjaq with the scale 1 / 100000 along with the villages as follows:

    1- Hawara Barza 1381
    2- Dula Bi 1278
    3- Yakhiyan 1577
    4- Guma Zal 1875
    5- Sharistin 882
    6- Chalawa 1971
    7- Sargalu 1569
    8- Bargalu (unknown)
    9- Bagh 1264
    10- Qizlar 1657
    11-Takya 4095
    12- Balak Jar 4294
    13- Siwsinan 4596
    14- Warta 7738
    15- Wasf Warta 7736
    16- Qaranqa 134
    17- Pisht Ashan 233

    The telegram issued from al-Sulaymaniyyah Intelligence Directorate to the Eastern Intelligence System, which includes briefing the journalists on the areas, attacked by chemical weapons (Sargalu)

    Telegram number (11163) dated 1987 June 24, and telegram number (13613) dated 1988 August 06, sent from the Eastern Zone Intelligence System to the Military Intelligence Directorate, containing attacking (Balisan) area by special ammunition on 1988 July 28, in addition to the Eastern Zone Intelligence System's letter 384 dated 1987 November 02, that was addressed to the General Military Intelligence Directorate and its subject was to remove villages (attached are the villages that were removed from 1987 October 15 until 1987 October 31, and are 9 villages). In addition; the letter of Office of the Chief of the Army Staff number 1182 dated 1988 August 28, addressed to the command of the 1st and 5th Corps, and its subject was (the directions of the General Commander's Deputy of the armed forces, Defense Minister..... removing all villages and all houses of each village). Furthermore; Irbil Security Directorate letter numbered (19541) dated 1987 December 23, addressed to all directorates and departments, it includes the Northern Organization Office's directions of prohibiting the plowing and winter crop growing in lands of the security prohibited villages.

    The experts:

    The court was serious from the beginning in depending on international qualified experts who have wide specialty expertise in their field, additionally; they did their role under oath and supervision of the court. Additionally; the court also summoned some of these experts stand before the court and give their testimonies.

    It was mentioned in the expert (Snow's) statement before the court on 2006 November 28, that he has excavated the mass grave in Kurmi village in Dahuk governorate, and lifting 27 bodies of those were executed by the army forces, additionally; he confirmed that all victims were in the sitting position and this matches the survivor's statements from the execution operation (as he confirmed that there was 84 shooting bullets, 10 head shootings, 24 shootings in the upper part of the chest, 65 in the hip bones and a small number in the limbs, since the victims were ordered to sit in front of the execution team). Additionally; it was mentioned in statement of the expert (Snow) that when he was in the area, he learned from the youngster ([NAME REDACTED]) that his mother and his young sister ([NAME REDACTED]) had died in Jaznikan in Irbil when they were arrested with thousands of women and children, they died because of the bad circumstances and malnutrition, additionally; he was able to persuade the young man to guide him to the grave, moreover; he informed us that his mother breast milk had dried up after few weeks of detention, and during examining the child, it was found that the child was 7 month old but the skeleton structure was abnormal as he noticed the effect of severe malnutrition of the bones, which gives the idea of the harsh life for the detainees specially the children.

    The expert (Snow) then moved to Barjina village which is small village near to Kurmi that exposed to chemical Bombardment on 1988 August 25, among the victims was an old man called ([NAME REDACTED]) and his five year old grandson ([NAME REDACTED]) whom mistakenly escaped towards the bottom of the valley instead of going up to the top of the hill. We excavated the grave and found the skeleton of that old man and his grandson wearing their clothes. The expert has also observed some places for bomb explosion, and he took samples from the ground which was send to the United States of America, then it was confirmed from the lab examination, that mustard and Sarian gas were used in this area.

    It was mentioned in the statement of the witness, physician expert [NAME REDACTED], before the court on 2006 November 29, that he visited the two Turkish refugee camps of (Diyar Bakir) with (13000) and (Mardin) with (5000) refugees, and the individuals whom he met were from the villages of (Balisan, Ikmala, Hibis, Barjina) and all those who were interviewed stated that they were injured during the Bombardment by:

      a- Eyes inflammation
      b- Problems in the respiratory system.
      c- Problems in the digestive system.
      d- Burns and irritation in the digestive system.

    In addition to the injuries that he saw on the wounded bodies [it was identical with marks of colored injuries of the skin, the center was less dark, this part of the injury was identical to the type that Nazis (Germans) used in the 2nd World War]. The physician added that one of the girls who was exposed to chemical explosion was examined, he added; we examined the girl and we found swelling in her chest and in between her small breasts.. ..there was a trace of cirrhosis of healed wound in the lower lip, injury under the left eyebrow, healed injury on the left cheek, whereas the light color was in the middle while the dark color was around the injury, and this is the morphological shape of using mustard gas. Therefore the expert reached a conclusion that (Sarin and mustard gas) were used in Kurdistan, furthermore; the use of mustard gas was in a wide range.

    The expert Michael Trumple stated that his work was a result of two years of efforts under the supervision of the Iraqi High Tribunal, together with the aid of experts from the United States, Australia, Costa Rica, and Canada. He added that he supervised digging three mass graves (Ninawa/2) (Ninawa/9) (Muthanna/2), the expert stated that the two graves (Ninawa/2) (Ninawa/9) located in a talus and small valleys that intersect with a big valley, in such a manner that the persons who are walking towards the south can't see the persons and equipments that are working in these graves as they are in a talus. The expert added that he excavated the mass grave (Muthanna/2) and 123 victims (who were executed) were lifted. Moreover; this grave contains children and women only, there were 25 adult women, and 98 children, and 90% of these children were under 13 years of age. The expert also added that there were different scenarios for executing the victims:

      1- Small groups were pushed towards the talus of the hole in to inside the grave then were shot on head from the back by one pistol bullet, while they were standing.

      2- And by the same aforementioned style, the victims were kneeing down and shot from the back.

      3- Groups of the victims were pushed towards the grave's edge and were shot falling down in the grave or the grave forced them to bow where the shooting took place.

    The expert added that these victims had a life, fears, happiness and feelings.. a woman had necklace and some jewelers, and there was a ring and finger ring. Moving to another case, where a (6-7) month embryo was in his mother's uterus. Then the expert added that during his experience period, he never saw a grave in this depth (3, 5 meters) and done by this way, to avoid being discovered. Additionally; the expert added that he found personal belongings and identity cards that were given to the court. Additionally the tribunal's commission would like to clarify that the statement of the victim's relatives were in no doubt identical, and the victims were the inhabitants of the Kurdish villages and were coerced to the mass grave during the Anfal operations.

    The expert said further that he lifted 64 individuals from the mass grave (Ninawa/9) whom were all adult males, and were executed by automatic weapon. In regards to (Muthanna/2) mass grave, the expert added that 114 individuals were lifted among them were 27 adult women, 2 adult men, and 85 children. The expert added that all the victims were executed while they were standing. Furthermore; the expert added that most of the victims whom were lifted from the mass grave in (Ninawa/2), (Ninawa/9) and (Muthanna/2) were wearing the Kurdish traditional cloth, and adds that all the mass graves were prepared on the same style and were organized.

    The mass graves:

    There are tens of mass graves that include thousands of victims of Al-Anfal operation and distributed over different areas of the Iraqi land. The court has received the files of (Muthanna/2) ,(Ninawa/2) and (Ninawa/9) mass graves since these graves were opened by international experts of, anthropologists, physician specialized in the forensic medicine, humanitarian organizations, specialized technical and administrative cadres and specialized laboratories in this field and under the Iraqi High Tribunal's supervision...in (Muthanna/2) mass grave, 114 bodies were lifted and under direct supervision of the international expert (Kaufman Michael Trumple), they were all executed by shooting from automatic weapons while they were standing..among them were 85 child, 27 woman, 2 adult males. The expert added that 95% of the children were under age of 13 years...all the victims were wearing Kurdish traditional cloths..50 types of the documents that were attached with the bodies were recovered, some were Iraqi currency, typed subjects..16 personal identification cards were found along with Jewelers brasless, home utensils, and detergents that were found from 93 buried bodies in the mass grave; among them were 7 necklaces, 14 beautification boxes, and 14 perfume bags. The clothes and educational subjects for the victims indicate that the persons in (Al-Muthanna/2) grave were of the Kurdish ethnicity.The expert mentioned that bullets were found with males and females bodies of variable ages. bullets were extracted from 21 bodies, and bullets cartridges were extracted from 37 persons and 79 bullet, there were 83 bullets and 28 bullet cartridges attached to the clothes of the dead... bullets punctures were found in all the dead people's clothes and it was more clear in the clothes that covers the torso such as shirts, dresses, and jackets.ropes that were used for hand cuffing the victim were extracted as well as blindfolding Which is a piece of textile...The expert further said that analyzing the evidence clarify that the victims were pushed to the mass grave and killed once. In the mass grave (Ninawa/9), 123 remains bodies were lifted, and they were 25 adult woman and 98 child, and 90% of them were below 13 years old and all were executed. 145 document were found between the remains bodies of the two mass graves (Ninawa/2) and (Ninawa/9), and these documents are personal identifications cards, military identification cards, salary certificates, pictures, letters and personal documents, from the documents, 63 identification cards, 10 of it related to persons from Al-Sulmaniyyah area. The expert added that after analyzing parts of the clothes that were recovered from the two graves (Ninawa/2) and (Ninawa/9), it was clarified the origin, age and social ethnicity, the analysis was for 123 case which clarified that they are of Kurdish origin, the most apparent cloth was the Kurdish uniform that convolute around waist. Furthermore; the international expert (Snow) opened the mass grave in Kurmi village, and he stated his testimony before the court in its session 24 dated 2006 November 28, and this grave included 27 body from 33 persons that were executed by shooting.

    A brief for the statement of the convicts against the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid)

    1- A brief for the statement of the convict (Husayn Rashid) against the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    it was mentioned in the statement of the convict (Husayn Rashid) before the investigative judge on 2005 September 12, that the first responsible in Al-Anfal operation and what was committed in, is Saddam Hussein, as he was occupying the head of state and General Commander of the Armed Forces, and he was the one who gave the order of implementing these operations, additionally; their was no entity could execute anything without an order from him or ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) as he was the second responsible after the convict (Saddam Hussein) for all what was happening in the northern area as he had all the authorities of the president.

    2- A brief for the statement of the convict (Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri) against the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    The following was mentioned in the testimony of convict Sabir 'Abd-al-'Aziz Al-Duri before the investigating judge on the 2005, May 06: After taking the authority of the Northern Organization Office, convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid became the direct commander for the Northern and Eastern systems; The families were transferred by the Intelligence systems to the Northern Organization Office which was headed by the convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and their fate was up to him, as it was stated in his testimony before this court on 2007, December 12, the task of removing the villages from the restricted security areas was assigned to military units that carried out these operations after receiving orders from the Northern Organization Office ... then he says, the operation of relocating the inhabitants from the villages and deliver them to the Security Directorate of the Northern Governorates and the Northern Organization Office was carried out by military units pursuant to the orders issued from their new reference 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    3. Summarized testimony of Convict Farhan Mutlak Salih against Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid:

    The following was mentioned in the testimony of Convict Farhan Mutlak Salih before the investigating judge on 2005, October 14: after the issuance of Decree No (160) for the year 1987, we received a letter from the General Military Intelligence Directorate stating that 'Ali Hasan Majid is the Commander of both systems; than he says, I personally witnessed the families being moved in military convoys towards the People's Army buildings in Kirkuk where all the families were gathered, and that the Northern Organization Office was responsible for the fate of these families. As for the court's question on 2007, February 15 (The court understands that you are stating that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid executed 182 thousand individual) he answered (you are the ones stating that, and the press is saying that 182 thousand individuals were executed in Al-Anfal, and if that information is correct, who will stand in front of 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and tell him, I am not executing your order, let us be reasonable Mr. President of the Tribunal)

    And in another question from the court during the same session; are you convinced with these field executions? the convict answered Farhan answered; these three decrees of the Revolutionary Command Council are to be executed with out any reference to the court, this is the country's policy and I follow this procedure, so is it reasonable for me to say that this policy or these decrees are wrong?

    4. Summarized testimony of Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad against Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid:

    The following was mentioned in the testimony of convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad before the investigating judge on 2005, March 20 and before this court on 2007, February 11: the coordination between our department and the Northern Organization Office was processed under order No. 4008 in 2007, June 20, signed by 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and states that after occupying the target, the families present in the operations area were to be transported by military vehicles with protection of the army personnel to the Military Intelligence System in Kirkuk, then to the Northern Organization Office. And no one knows their fate afterward. The Northern Organization Office ''headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid'' is responsible for the mentioned families.

    ((Inspections and Reports))

    To insure certainty the court decided to conduct field inspection and view the locations in order to find the truth. Therefore, the court committee with its all members accompanied by the general prosecution committee traveled to the northern area and inspected the following locations:

    1- Nazarki Fort in 2006, November 21

    It is a building that consists of two floors, built from bricks and cement in a rectangular form, centered with a big yard; the ground floor consists of 26 halls and 53 rooms, and the 2nd floor consists of 19 halls and 36 rooms. The court noticed six control towers on the building, and now this castle is inhabited by poor Kurdish families and this fort was used as a detention facility to retain the Kurdish families that were brought from Kurdish villages that were under attack and forced relocation during 1987-1988.

    2- Bahirka Area

    When the court inspected the Bahirka Area in 2006, November 22, this location appeared to be a residential neighborhood because of its newly established houses; it is 15 Km away from the center of Irbil Governorate and located on a level land where no buildings were established previously, and far from the mountains. The former regime used this area as a detention facility to retain the Kurdish families that were brought from Kurdish villages that were under attack and forced relocation during 1987-1988.

    Villages Inspection Report (Balak Jar, Takya, Siwsinan and Shurish Complex), dated 2006, November 23:

    When the court committee arrived to Siwsinan Village, they noticed a graveyard on the eastern side of the main street; the graveyard was surrounded by fence and the tombs were organized by the victims' names. The committee also noticed that the names on the tombs were identical to those mentioned in the plaintiff testimonies during the court sessions. It became clear that the buried victims were those killed by the chemical attacks during Al-Anfal operations.

    Then the court committee proceeded to Balak Jar and Takya villages, and noticed that the area was surrounded by a mountain chain near Qar Dagh Mountain. Takya village is located on a mountain versant, with 20-25 houses, and Balak Jar village is located on Qar Dagh valley with 12-20 houses.

    Approximately 500 meters away from the village the court committee noticed an unexploded rocket planted in the ground, and an other 2 meters long unexploded rocket about 1000 meters away from the village.

    After that the court committee proceeded to Shurish Complex. When the committee arrived to the complex in 2006, November 23, they noticed that it is a very big residential complex, located on the side of the main road that connects Al-Sulaymaniyyah city with Chamchamal. An inspection operation was carried out and a drawing of the area was prepared.

    After that the court committee proceeded to Birjina village which is located 27 km away from Dahuk governorate and 50 km away from the Turkish Iraqi borders, in a mountainous area, surrounded from four sides by a mountain chain. The court noticed that all houses and the mosque were completely demolished; the court also noticed the mass grave that contains the corpse of the victim [NAME REDACTED] and his grandson [NAME REDACTED]whose name was mentioned by the plaintiffs. The court also noticed remaining rocket pieces containing a yellow solid material; after a lab examination, it appeared that these materials were chemical.

    The court conducted site inspection on Shaykh Wasanan area, Balisan area and Wara village; the committee noticed unexploded fragmental bombs, containers of cluster bombs, and remaining covers for chemical bombs; they found unknown remaining materials in some of its parts, found between Biraw and Kani Bard villages, a sample was kept with the Engineering Brigadier General in order to perform lab examinations, knowing that the Military Engineering Brigadier General accompanied the court commission, and the type of remaining weapons was defined by the mentioned expert.

    The commission moved to inspect Wara village and the its grave, this village is located on the eastern side of the main road that leads to Balisan, 2 km away from the grave. The village consists approximately of 40 houses and it is located on Qashan River. The tombs were still earthy and on its original condition when the victims' corps were buried, where the tombs appeared to be for the victims of Al-Anfal operations.

    Briefed defense report of the convict 'Ali Hasan Majid and his Attorney:

    1. The convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid denied all the charges directed to him whether during the investigation process or the court, claiming that his deeds or issued orders were not crimes according to his conviction due to the prevalent circumstances back then, although he acknowledged the memo No. 4008 in 1987, Jun 24, however he claimed that the orders of killing, demolishing villages, citizens relocation, and preventing the human and animal existence that were included in the mentioned memo are not crimes to deserve punishment for, as he also denied knowing about the detention camps or the ravishment, torture, indignity, death from starving, lake of medical care and cleanness that the victims were subject to; As he also denied knowing about the mass graves.

    2. During investigation, the convict stated that in the beginning 1987 he was assigned as a General Commander for Kurdistan Area after the decree (106) for the year 1987 was issued, and he was granted the power to lead the security, military and state systems (the authority for the National Security Council and the Northern Affairs Committee). The convict mentioned that his task concentrates on two sides, which are the party organization and providing general security for the area and I was occupying this position till1989, July.

    3. The convict indicated that his connection with the military units was only to accommodate the families that were moved from the restricted areas for security reasons to the residential complexes provided by the state.

    4. The convict stated in his testimony that by his orders, the security systems moves the citizens to the residential complexes, after that he issued orders to the military units to remove the remaining buildings form those villages; and after relocating the citizens from their villages, he issued instructions according to the memo No. 4008 in 1987, July 02 to prevent the existence of human beings or animals, and those areas were considered redistricted, etc..

    I believed in these orders although they were severe, and I also issued instructions about the agriculture and irrigation.

    5. The convict denied his relation with Al-Anfal operations to exclude accommodating the families in the residential complexes "I did not take part of Al-Anfal operations"

    In his testimony before this court in 2007, February 07; the convict answered... the Northern Area was facing exceptional conditions such as internal insurgence and foreign aggression, state of emergency must be declared. The Iranian enemy declared that the coming year will be decisive; therefore I reacted and declared the state of emergency in the Northern Organization Office and in Kurdistan in particulate. He added ... all the current civil and military authorities were attached to me (such as the Legislative Council, Executive Council, Governors, Corps' Commanders, Security Directors, Intelligence Directors, Intelligence Systems, Education Directors and all the state civil and military systems).

    In a question from the court . Did you actually execute the policy of the party and the dissolved Revolutionary Command Council in the area? He answered ... if I was not a good leader, the command would have discharged me.

    In another question ... are you confident that your actions were planned by the Revolutionary Command and the Party? He answered ... yes, I was confident at that time according to the conditions we were facing, and I am not going to deny what I mentioned; I did not do anything without my conviction, I do not regret what I did and I did not mean to harm any human being if it was not for defending Iraq.

    In another part of his testimony, the convict denied acknowledging the existence of the detention facilities in Dibs, Tupzawa and the black dog.

    In a question from the court: if one of the detainees is released or dead, do you get notified? He answered ... yes, it is a must because I am the one issuing the arrest orders. In another part of his testimony, the convict stated . I was questioned by the commander of the 5th Corps about how to deal with the civilians, I answered him: just like in the previous operations, if a family is found you transfer them to the Security and if it is a prisoner, he will be investigated by the security systems.

    And the accused stated in front of the Court... I declared that, this letter (4008) dated on 20 June 1987 issued by me, I confirmed on its contents and I believe in all what I issued, I am still till these moments believe in all what I did... however this according to the dominant circumstances during this period... and if the war repeated again with the same circumstances, I will do what I did before.

    The Argument from the attorney of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    1. The attorney of the accused is insisting in his declaration that his client did not have the intention to commit the crime of genocide he was accused of... since the special purpose was not proved.

    2. The attorney insisted that his client was not aware about the detention of the civilians and that was conducted by the security organizations.

    3. The attorney also insisted that his client was not aware of the usage of the chemical weapons in Al-Anfal campaigns... and all the accusations that were directed to his client during his speech appearances in the tapes are only a kind of a psychological war.

    4. The attorney of the accused pleaded that his client was not involved in what occurred in the mass graves ... pointing out that the experts who presented in the court on 28th, 29th and 30 June 2006 did not define a date for the victims' death.

    Summary of the defend witnesses' testimonies for the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    The accused could not introduce any defend witness during the investigation and trial, although the court gave him chances many times.

    The evidences and proofs available against the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid):

    The evidences and proofs available in the case against the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) about the crimes affiliated to him according to the accusation paper which addressed by the court on 20 February 2006, as follows:

    1. The accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) was a member in the disbanded Revolutionary Command Council, State Command of the Ba'th Party, and the Northern Organization Office's Official for the period of (1987-1989), he was given wide authorities according to the decree No. 160 for the year 1987 and he was commanding all the state civil, military, security and party organizations. and he had the president's authorities according to the other defendant's statements.

    2. The official documents which prove the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid's) knowledge about what happened in the northern region of crimes that considered as (genocide crime, crimes against humanity and war crimes).

    A. The decree of the disbanded Revolutionary Command Council No. (160) on 29 March 1987 which gave the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) wide authorities and authorized him to implement its policies in the northern region, which means implementing the policy of the Party and the Revolutionary Command Council.

    B. The letters No. (2008) dated on 20 June 1987 and No. (3650) dated on 03 June 1987 which were issued by the Northern Organization Office and signed by the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) as he confirmed its contents during the periods of investigation and trail and its title (dealing with the prohibited zone villages), including several subjects, such as prohibiting the existence of the humans or animals in the region and banning in and out travel, also the agricultural and , industrial investment, free shooting with no restriction, and murdering any detainee between the age of 15 years (included) to 70 years (included), in addition to his orders to the Corpses commands to prepare special attacks from time to time with the artillery, helicopters and air crafts to kill the largest possible numbers of those who are presenting within these prohibited areas, during all times day and night. and he gave the permission to the National Defense Regiments to take over all the properties belonged to the villager civilians.

    C. The disbanded Revolutionary Command Council's decree no. (244) dated on 02 April 1987, which includes authorizing the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) implementing the decree no. (160) for the year 1987

    D. The General Security Directorate's letter no. (9223), which was addressed to the 45th directorate and included implementing the order of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) to execute (28) persons including 4 women of (Shaqlawa) residents for participating in the riot events.

    E. The letter no. (5083) dated on 22 July 1987, from the Northern Organization Office to the 1st Corps that included the comment of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) (We have no objection for beheading the traitors... but it is better to send them first to the security and interrogate them, they may find with them more useful information before their execution).

    F. The General Military Intelligence Directorate's letter no. (12307) dated on 10 June 1987, which was addressed to the Northern Organization Office and titled as Air Strike: (1. in the dusk of the day 05 June 1987, a special ammunition attack was carried on against the 1st branch headquarter for Al-Barzani group in Ziwa... 2. The attack was effective, their casualties were (31) dead and (100) injured)

    G. The1st Corps's letter no. (352) dated on 08 July 1987, addressed to the Northern Organization Office, titled as (Executing Criminals); which included executing 7 persons.

    H. The General Military Intelligence Directorate's letter no. (19330), dated on 08 September 1987, addressed to the Northern Organization Office, included information regarding the results of an artillery attack (by using the special ammunitions).

    I. The telegram issued by Irbil Security Directorate and addressed to all the involved departments (2. Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid has ordered to destroy all their houses and dislocate them to the residential compounds and will never be compensated... )

    J. Irbil Security Directorate's letter dated on 23 June 1987, which addressed to all the directorates of the departments.. .and included (according to the Northern Organization Office's instructions. all plowing or planting winter crops within the prohibited villages are prohibited).

    3. The audio tape presented in the session No. (36), dated on 23 January 2007 with the voice of ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid); in which he said [.. .alright.. .where I can put them..? all those people? I tried to distribute them among the governorates.. .I then will send Poclains (T.C: is a brand of Bulldozers) and shuffles to them]. The accused is describing how to transport the victims to the other governorates and sending the gravedigger and shuffles from the northern region to the other governorates for burying the victims in the mass graves.

    In another part of the audio tape, the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) says [we may be thinking about accepting them as Iraqi individuals.. .with 2nd priority (T.C: second class citizens)]... and in another part he said (...They said.. Jalal said... I need a direct channel between me and him.I went to Al-Sulaymaniyyah on 7:30 and I bombarded them with the special ammunitions, this is my reply.done and starting the relocation.)

    In another part he said (when I strike them with the chemical I will cause them high casualties.and I will not strike them with chemical not only one day, but (15) days, two days, ten, five and so on.).

    And in another part he said (I will tell them there is an amnesty.I will print a million pamphlet and spread them in the north.and I will not mention that it is from the state of Iraq).in another part he said. (I will tell them with the new weapon which will eradicate you, God willing) then he said (all God's vehicles are not enough to carry them.) then he said (I told the specialists, I need gangs.the good ones in Europe to kill them wherever they catch them)

    4. The legal responsibility for the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid): according to the accusation paper addressed to him, his legal responsibility will be in compliance with the verdicts of article (15/ 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) of the Iraqi High Second Criminal Court law no (10) for the year 2005, in which the article (15/1st) stipulates that: every individual is criminally responsible in his personal peculiarity and will be subject to punishment for committing any of the crimes that are under the Tribunal's jurisdiction authority.

    And the article (15/2nd) stipulates that: every individual is criminally responsible in his personal peculiarity for committing a crime based on the following responsibilities:

    A. If he committed a crime in his personal peculiarity.

    B. Ordered to commit a crime through another person

    C. Providing support or provoking to commit any crime.

    D. Contributing by any means with a group of people in a joint criminal intention for committing a crime or commencing it.as it is deliberated and actually provided.

    5. And the article (15/3rd) stipulates that: there is no official immunity or immunity based on official peculiarity for the accused who committed crimes under the Tribunal's jurisdiction authority.

    And the article (15/4th) considers; the supreme leader or the persons who are occupying leadership or command positions as criminality responsible as per the leader theory for the criminal acts which are committed by their subordinates under particular circumstances.

    And the article (15/2nd and 4th) confirmed on the definite theories about the responsibility of committing crimes, when the accused is criminality responsible for the crimes he was accused of according to the article (15/2nd) through:

    A. Committing a crime as personal peculiarity and directly.

    B. Issuing an order, or tempting, or prompting for trying to commit a crime.

    C. Providing support- provoking- or helping with any means to facilitate committing or commencing a crime, including providing the means of committing the crime.

    D. Contributing by any means with a group of people in a joint criminal intention for committing a crime or commencing it, and must be deliberate and its purpose based on enhancing the criminal activity for a group, if this activity or purpose lead to a crime that is under the Tribunal's jurisdiction authority. The accused will be considered also responsible for the crime, according to the leadership responsibility theory that is stipulated in the article (15/4th) for the actions committed by his subordinates under particular circumstances.

    Thus the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) as he was considered during the event (19871988) as a (supreme leader) for the northern region.according to the decree (160) for the year 1987, in which he was given wide authorities and became in charge of all the military, civil, security and party organizations in the northern region, a horrid crimes were committed by orders issued from him to his subordinates and his participation in committing those crimes with the aforementioned individuals in a joint criminal intention since he was the supreme leader in the region, this responsibility is stipulated in the article (15/2nd/4th) of the Tribunal's law.according to it the accused will be responsible for the crimes committed by the individuals working under his command especially if he was aware of it, or there were reasons indicating that his subordinates had committed such actions or were going to commit it and the leader did not take the necessarily procedures to prevent such actions.Thus the military units in the northern region would not implement actions such as the ones took place in Al-Anfal campaigns without the order or the knowledge of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid).The documents and the evidence that were presented in the trail sessions confirm his knowledge of what happened in the northern region, such as the letter no. (4008) dated on 20 June 1987; also the letters and correspondences that were sent between the Northern Organization Office which was under his command and the military commands related to using the chemical gases, summary executions, destroying village, coercive dislocation of residents, along with the audio tapes which presented during the trail sessions, in which the defendant mentioned that he used the chemical weapons or he threatened using them.also his acknowledgement of all the contents of the letter (4008) during the investigation and trail. It was also proved to the tribunal the correctness of the aforementioned documents during the interrogation and trail periods by the confessions of the defendants or the reports of the forensic evidence's experts.

    It was also mentioned in the letter no (5083) dated on 22 July 1987, sent from the Northern Organization Office to 1st Corps that included the comment of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid (We have no objection for beheading the traitors. but it is better to send them first to the security and interrogate them, they may find with them more useful information before their execution).

    And the General Military Intelligence Directorate's letter no (12307) dated on 10 June 1987, addressed to the Northern Organization Office, titled as air strike (in the dusk of the day. 05 June 1987, a special ammunition attack was carried on against the 1st branch headquarter for Al-Barzani group in Ziwa... The attack was effective, their casualties were (31) dead and (100) injured).

    And the General Security Directorate's letter no (9223) dated on 05 December 1987, addressed to the 45th Directorate, which included implementing the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid's ) order to execute (28) persons among them were 4 women of (Shaqlawa) residents.

    The accused also confessed several times to the tribunal that all the military, security, civil and party organizations were under his command, he also confessed that he ordered the security organizations to dislocate the residents to the residential compounds.he confessed in front of the court that he gave instructions to the military units to destroy what was left of the villages.. .during the session he was asked by the tribunal: are you convinced that what you have done was a plan laid down for you by the Party and the Revolutionary Command Council? The accused answered, I am convinced (during this time) according to the circumstance we were living in.. .and I will not back off on it...I did not do any thing out of my conviction and I am not regretting what I have done.

    He said in another part of his statement.. .the commander of the 5th Corp asked me about how to deal with the civilians. I told him.like the previous operations, everyone you will find must be sent to the security, if it is a family but if it is a captive, the security organization will investigate him. in the audio tape presented in the court the accused said ((alright.. .where I can put them..? all those people? I try to distribute them among the governorates))

    In another part the accused said (when I strike them with the chemical I will cause them high casualties.and I will not strike them with chemical not only one day, but (15) days, two days, ten, five and so on.)

    It is clear from the aforementioned that there are several evidences and facts proves that the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) issued orders to commit acts considered as genocide crime, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as he was the supreme leader for the region...and responsible for the actions of his subordinates.

    The Iraqi High Tribunal's law does not provide any idea whether the definition of the group, that was the target of the criminal intention of the accused, must be defined according to the objectivity or non objectivity criteria, or according to a text, consists of mixed criteria; thus different International Tribunal Court had found that the definition of whether the group comes under any protection, must be evaluated based on each single case referring to the objective terms for specific social or historical context and through a personal view for the criminals (the verdict of the International Tribunal Court in Rwanda on 15 May 2003, clause no.317) according to it, the protected group will be defined according to individual cases by using the objectivity or non objectivity criteria. Genocide is considered as it is aiming the sedentary groups; the sedentary groups objectively known as those groups which the individuals are affiliated to, regardless to their personal interests, such as the groups that are permanent by its nature, and the individual is affiliated to it by birth, and not the voluntary enlisted such as the religious group... (Yilizitish.. .The verdict of the International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia on 14 December 1999), the ethnic group is generally known as a group that its members are sharing the same language or culture (the verdict of the International Tribunal Court in Rwanda on 12 September 1998) with its above description, meaning that an act of the listed actions must be committed against nation or ethnic or race or religious group because of nationality or ethnicity or religion or the race of the group and the action must be committed against the group as a whole, not against the individual (the International Tribunal Court in Rwanda on 16 May 2003. clause no. 410). Subduing the ethnic group to a political program that practically fuse the political and ethnic identity will not annul the intention of the genocide which drive (a specific accused); on the contrary the definition for the individuals as enemies of the country by connecting them with the political opposition only because of their ethnicity, will emphasize that their affiliation to an ethnic group was the only reason for targeting them (Nahimana, Barayaghinis, Nighayzi), the International Tribunal Court in Rwanda on 03 December 2003, clause no. 969) in which the two phrases (totally and partially) are referring to the scale of annihilation compared to the actual devastation of the group, so it is obvious that any action committed intending to annihilate part of the group with its peculiarity will be considered as a genocide action (the 1st verdict of the International Tribunal Court for former Yugoslavia dated on September 2004, clause no. 700) also the International Tribunals always considered the intention to annihilate the group even if it was partially as annihilation to a special part of the group against isolated individual of it. The International Tribunals had agreed upon in (the International Law Committee Declaration) that the purpose must be annihilating the group with its particularity, which is considered as a separate and distinguished entity and not only annihilating some individuals because of their affiliation to a specific group, and if the intended annihilation did not need to be directed to each individual of the targeted group, then the tribunal considered that the annihilating intention must aim at least an important part of the group( Baghilibashmiya, verdict of the International Tribunal Court for Rwanda 07 June 2001). The Kurds are considered as a national and ethnic group living in the northern region of Iraq and their region named as (Kurdistan Region), as the Kurds share a language, culture and history and the Kurdish language considered as an official language in Kurdistan region since 1970, right after signing the peace agreement between the Kurdish movement and the Iraqi government back then, and it became the official language in Iraq beside the Arabic language according to the valid permanent constitution for the year 2005, also the Iraqi temporary constitution on the year 1970 ratified that the Kurdish nationality is occupying the second rank after the Arab in Iraq. The Kurds were targeted for their ethnicity. The Kurds in northern Iraq were exposed to attacks by murder and cruel harm (chemical attacks) along with being subdued to live in a deadly living conditions that aimed at annihilating the Kurdish group in northern Iraq (coercive dislocation of the inhabitants, destroying the ability to continue living, inability to return to their villages and homes, taking them to detention centers besides of exposing to a very grievous conditions and executing the civilians in order to reduce the crowds in the detention centers to create conditions leading to annihilating the Kurdish group).

    A - The role of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) in killing Kurds as genocide: Crime Elements:

    The murder as genocide requires providing the following bases:

    1 - The crime perpetrator should kill an individual or more.

    2 - These murdered individual or individuals should belong to a particular national, ethnic or religious group.

    3 - The crime perpetrator should have an intention to annihilate partially or wholly this national, ethnic or religious group because of this nationality.

    4 - This behavior should be translated into an effective act against this group or leading to annihilation for this group.

    To provide the base of murder in the genocide crime, it's necessary to provide the elements of the premeditated murder that was performed in preconceived malice with aiming of several victims. Consequently, a criminal behavior must exist, done by the perpetrator or the partner. This act or behavior is represented in murder act or being a cause for it. Additionally, there will be a criminal result that is represented in murdering the victims.

    There is a causative connection between the act and the result (death) and by providing these elements; the tangible base is formed for the murder crime. Additionally, the objective base for this premeditated murder crime should be provided representing in the criminal intention of the perpetrator, and that also requires providing an element of the perpetrator's intention to partially or totally annihilate a national, ethnic and religious group for this reason, considering that the criminal intention is the will to achieve the criminal result through a behavior that is in the framework of identical and clear behavior directed against this group. In the International crimes generally, the circumstance of premeditate intention is considered through the joint preparation and previous planning to commit the crime and also through providing the element of calmness of mind. In the second base of the premeditated murder as genocide the intention of the perpetrator and his criminal behavior must be directed in achieving the premeditated murder's result as genocide with an intention of partially or totally annihilating a national, ethnic or religious group as it is. The proof elements against the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for committing a murder crime as genocide is many. These elements include the wide-range authorities that were granted to him by the virtue of the decree (160) for the year 1987 to achieve the targets of the State Command of the toppled Ba'th Party and Revolutionary Command Council considering putting his as the absolute roller in the northern area.

    The decree obliged all military, civil and security government entities especially the vested authorities of the National Security Council, Northern Affairs Committee to bind with the accused and also binding the Executive Council of the Autonomous reign, Governorates' Governors, and administrative units' heads relating to the Ministry of Local Rolling besides of the intelligence entities, internal security forces and also the people's army commands.

    In the fourth clause, the decree obliged the area military commands with the accused orders whereas he was representing the State Command for the toppled Ba'th Party and Revolutionary Command Council in performing its policies in whole northern area as Kurdistan Autonomous reign. Implementing decree number (160) for the year 1987, the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) issued his famous letter numbered (4008) on 1987 June 20 that was addressed to the command of 1st, 2nd and 5th Corps under the subject of "dealing with the security restricted villages" including a group of instructions and orders like banning the human and animals in the area which is considered as forbidden operation area and the shooting in it is unrestricted and free. The travel to and from it is banned as well as the cultivation, investment of agricultural, industrial or animal. All the involved entities have to follow this object seriously according to the authority of each entity. There's an order according to the clause (Fourth) of the letter of the Corps commands in order to prepare special attacks between time to time using the artillery, helicopters and aircrafts to kill the largest possible number of those who exist within these restricted areas day and night. In the fifth clause of the letter, the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) decided to detain those individuals who are arrested for their existence in these villages and to be investigated by the security authorities along with applying the execution sentence for everyone whose age is in between 15 (included) to 70 = years old (included) after extracting useful information from them. The accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) disseminated the contents of his letter to the Legislative Council Presidency, Executive Council, Intelligence Service, Army Chief of Staff along with the governors (security committee chiefs) besides of Diyala, Salah-al-Din, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil, and Duhuk Governorate Ba'th Party Branch Secretariats. Moreover, he disseminated his orders to the General Military Intelligence Directorate, General Security Directorate, Autonomy Zone Security Directorate, Northern Zone Intelligence System, and Eastern Zone Intelligence System along with the security directors of Ninawa, Al-Ta'mim, Diyala, Salah-al-Din, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil, and Duhuk Governorates. He ordered them all to execute what's mentioned in the letter according to the authority of each entity with knowing that the area boundaries of executing the decree (160) for the year 1987 and the letter (4008) of the year 1987 June 20 was in the northern area whose most inhabitants are Kurdish and this is a national and ethnic group. The most important elements to proof the murder as genocide is: The existence of the group members in a particular place, the attackers surrounded them and prevented them from escaping from the area, using the weapon in the attack, issuing orders for killing and organizing the murder, in addition to the issuance of verbal phrases and words from the accused to his subordinates as proof of the intention to kill .... It is also evidence that the members of the group are sharing legal or sexual ties or exchanging the rights and duties among the group, existence of a united language and official classification of the group based on its personal identification. There are other elements, include the destruction of the electricity and water net, usage of violence against the victims, illegal detainment for the men and coercive dislocation for the women and children out of the region. There were also the bad words that were pronounced by the accused as humiliation, or curse, or discrimination against the group. Also the participation of the accused in separating individuals from the group away from other individuals of the same group, besides of separating the men away from the women and separating the men who are in the military service age away from the others. The other evidence as elements to proof the murder as genocide also include, repeating and harmonization and systemization of the attack style, and the victims were transferred by government vehicles and harmonization in the type of the weapons used , using identical methods in the investigation, the existence of places and holes that were previously prepared for execution, and the existence of a policy that was put in place on the national level, the murdering individuals of the group regardless of their positions as civilians or fighters.....there was also the similarity in the style of the acts along with targeting the group's possessions, and spreading the body injury. All those elements match with the committed acts before and during Al-Anfal operations by the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and other military leaders and the security entities that were under his command in the northern area, and we will study all these elements. The Kurds are a national and ethnic group living in Kurdistan area for many thousands of years in the northern Iraq and the Iraqi temporary constitution in 1970 had endorse them as second nationality in Iraq, Al-Anfal operations were targeting the Kurds in northern Iraq. These (8) (Anfal) operations with all the different weapons of aircrafts, tanks, artilleries, helicopters, rocket launchers, armors and infantry, besides of the civil efforts of the state and a group of special ammunitions, the capabilities of all the security and administrative entities that were all under the authority of the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to carry out attacks against the Kurds considering them a national and ethnic group... Through out the victim's statements and the official documents.. The tribunal has noticed the way of besieging the Kurdish area by the military units and using all kind of weapons carrying out direct orders from the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid as the supreme leader to the military leaders and the security and party entities. The tribunal also noticed that the attacking troops prevented any individual from the national or the ethnic group from escaping. That was shown in the plaintiff's statements (victim), [NAME REDACTED], the survivor of Kurimi massacre where he said, "they tried escaping to Turkey but they were not able to cross the borders since the Iraqi forces were controlling the boarder strip, and did not allow them to cross, they then surrendered to the troops that executed the men after separating them away from the women and children where 27 persons from Kurimi village were executed and whom were excavated by the international expert (Snow). The tribunal committee conducted field detection in the accident's location on 2006 November 21. That claim was supported by the letter (1076) on 1988 August 16 that was issued by the Army Chief of Staff and addressed to the 1st, 2nd and 5th corps that pertaining to banning the Kurdish families from fleeing to Turkey. Additionally, the evidence of issuing killing orders systemizing it by the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is his issuance of the letter number (4008) on 1987 June 20 which included banning of human or animal existence along with killing every individual from 15 years old (included) to 70 years old (included) besides of giving instructions to the corps leaders to prepare special attacks using the artilleries, aircrafts to kill the largest possible number. In fact the chemical weapons had been used and thousands of children, women and old ages were also killed. The plaintiff, [NAME REDACTED]- from village of Warti relating to Balisan in Al-Sulaymaniyyah, said before the Tribunal on 2006 October 20 that on 1988 May 18 at 17:30, four aircrafts bombed us using the chemical weapons. [NAME REDACTED]and his mother [NAME REDACTED]were killed.he resumed saying, "the animals were perished as if it's the last day of the world, then I watched two dead bodies near the mosque and the other was in the street. These bodies were for [NAME REDACTED] and [NAME REDACTED]". Also, I watched a woman called, [NAME REDACTED] and her son, [NAME REDACTED]while they were injured by the chemical weapons. He added saying, "then I entered the village and watched around 18 - 20 dead bodies near the water well including the following dead, [NAME REDACTED]) and her daughters, [NAME REDACTED]besides of others I cannot remember.....Additionally, I watched these bodies were laid over each other, I watched the dead children while they were still holding feeding bottles and other still hold the feast candies as that day was the eve of the feast holly Ed".....He also added, "The account of the dead and wounded was around 40 individuals holding marks of the injuries and suffocation. When we tried to transport the dead and wounded, the army prevented us from doing that and we left them near the water well in that night. After that, one of the Mustashars (T.C: National Defense Regiment advisors) interfered in the matter and gave us a permission to bury the dead whereas around 35 individuals were buried, 20 of them were my relatives who were all killed by chemical weapons". The investigation committee of the tribunal carried out a discovery mission to the accident place on 2006 November 21.

    The plaintiff, [NAME REDACTED]- from the village Siwsinan related to Qara Dagh / Al-Sulaymaniyyah - gave her statement before the tribunal on 2006 September 20.... She said that on March 22, the aircrafts bombed the villagesand we entered the shelters. We went out after a while and I watched 14 dead bodies including 7 ones of [NAME REDACTED] family and the rest of the bodies were for my daughter, [NAME REDACTED]and her five sons and other two dead bodies of the wife [NAME REDACTED] and his son [NAME REDACTED]..then, I took a night lamb to make sure and I watched the dead and wounded, the 41 wounded were transported to Shursh Hospital.. ..she added saying, "the account of the martyred people was 81 individuals including 70 individuals that were killed by chemical weapons". The tribunal carried out a field discovery on the grave that the victims were buried in.

    The witness, [NAME REDACTED]says before the tribunal on 2006 December 04 - He is an inhabitant in the village of Gup Tapa. He resumed saying, "our villages was bombed" on 1988 May 3. Around 25 individuals were killed from my family including my mother, [NAME REDACTED]and my wife, [NAME REDACTED]. The victims also include my sons [NAME REDACTED]. The only survivor in my family was my daughter, [NAME REDACTED], my brother [NAME REDACTED]and his wife [NAME REDACTED]and their children ([NAME REDACTED]), and my brother Umid and his wife [NAME REDACTED]and their children ([NAME REDACTED]) were also killed, also my sister's children and her husband ([NAME REDACTED]) were killed.. .He also added, "I watched around 70 individuals of my family members in a square area of 500 meters while they were fallen on the ground". The important elements to proof the murder as genocide include also the letter numbered 9223 on 1987 December 05 that was issued by the general security to Directorate-45 including implementing the order of the accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to execute 28 individuals including four women of Shaqlawa inhabitants.

    The other element to prove the special intention of the accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was a the letters or verbal phrases that were encouraging the killing of the Kurds as a national and ethnic group whereas the accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid says in the audio tape that was presented before the tribunal on 2007 January 23, (when I strike them with the chemical I will cause them high casualties.and I will not strike them with chemical not only one day, but (15) days, two days, ten, five and so on...) In another audio portion, (I told the specialists, I need gangs.the good ones in Europe to kill them wherever they catch them). The troops actually carried out attacks killing thousands of Kurds using chemical and conventional weapons based on orders or encouraging letters from the accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid while the others were transported to the detention camps and some of them to the mass graves where they were executed by shooting. This was confirmed by the survivors from these mass graves along with the reports of the international experts who excavated three of these graves. Regarding the responsibility of the accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid of murder crimes in the detention camps within the northern area such as (Tup Zawa, Dibis, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah and others), it is a direct responsibility pertaining to the knowledge, intention and the will, because he was the absolute leader in the northern area. In regards to his responsibility of Nuqrat Al-Saman detention camp because he had knowledge of all details of what happened to the victims when he confessed of transporting them to the governorates along with transporting the gravediggers from his area to the other governorates..whereas he says in the audio tape presented before the tribunal. [.. .where I can put them..? all those people? I tried to distribute them among the governorates.I then will send Poclains (T.C: is a brand of Bulldozers) and shuffles to them], It was found by the tribunal that there's an official classification for the national and ethnic group that was done by the officials whereas it was mentioned in the statements of the plaintiffs (victims) that identity investigation was conducted for each detainee and then, they were classified into men group, women and children group and then classifying the men into young and old people. The decision of the toppled Revolutionary Command Council numbered (160) for the year 1987 is an evidence that there was a strategy and prepared policy by the regime to target the Kurds as a national and ethnic group and the letter numbered 4008 on 1987 June 20 is another evidence on planned strategy by the regime that was carried out by the politicians and military leaders represented by the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) as he was a member in the Revolutionary Command Council and also a member in the Ba'th Party Leadership, in addition to representing the president of the state in the northern area along with the military leaders such as the chief of army staff, his deputies and the Corpses Commanders. The flee of the Kurds to Turkey and Iran and creating humanitarian crisis back then, is just another evidence among the proof elements of this crime where it's mentioned in the report presented by the expert physician, Isfandiyar Ahmad Shukri about the Kurdish refuge camps in which he watches closely humanitarian suffering.

    The change in the population status of the prohibited villages and other areas is another proof and the policy of changing the demographic status for wide areas in Kurdistan especially Kirkuk city is a proof of the premeditated real intention against the Kurds. It's mentioned in the audio tape for the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) regarding his assault on the Kurds saying, "the Arab newcomers to Kirkuk city are actually less, but existing people there, (meaning Kurds), I extracted them, I banned them from working in Kirkuk, its outskirts and villages. I arrested some, detained some others, and tortured them).

    The former regime also prevented the humanity organizations from entering Kurdistan to be find out the circumstances of the victims, this was confirmed by the physician, [NAME REDACTED]whereas it's mentioned in his statement before the tribunal that the Iraqi authorities prevented him with his team from entering Iraq in 1988 as a fact finding team from the Human Rights Organization. The attacker troop's acts of destroying the electricity and water nets is another element of proofs of this crime, whereas the military troops destroyed Dar Barula Electricity Station along with closing the water springs using concretes. Maximum cruelty and violance were used against the inhabitants of the Kurdistan villages whereas the animal and human existence was prohibited in the restricted areas. The shooting is free (killing is allowed) in these areas and this is what's mentioned in the letter (4008) on 1987 June 20 issued by the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid). Many Kurdish civilians are still suffering from injuries, pains for being injured by the chemical weapons and some of them died after Al-Anfal operations as a result of being affected by these weapons. The contempt and abuse phrases that were meant to humiliate and curse against this national and ethnic group is an essential element to proof the discrimination intention of the accused, in addition to what the convict Saddam Hussein said in the audio tape presented before the tribunal, [the Kurds learned their bad habits from the 'Ajam (T.C: the Persians)] and what the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid said in the audio tape presented before the tribunal on 2007 January 23 saying regarding the Kurds , [We may accept them as Iraqis but as second priority (T.C: second class citizens)], and in another audio tape, he says "I don't trust Kurds except the governor of Al-Sulaymaniyyah and Irbil" besides of the assault and contempt phrases that were pronounced by the official guards in the detention camps (Tup Zawa and Nuqrat Al-Salman) and others or even abuse phrases that were said by the execution teams against their victims while implementing the execution in the mass graves and that's what the mass graves survivors confirmed, that is a proof of the existence of the discrimination intention in the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid against the Kurds as a national or ethnic group.

    The accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) was conducting a clear systematic method to target the Kurds as a national and ethnic group as mentioned in the letter numbered (5083) on 1987 July 22 whereas he says, "No objection to behead the traitors.. .but after taking information from them". This means that any arrested person in the security restricted area will be executed by shooting in all cases. This is a clear plan for genocide; moreover the evidence for the repetition along with the harmonization and systemization of the attacks is in dividing the Anfal Operations into eight phases, besides of following the same style and system in all phases concerning the attack and usage of chemical weapons, village demolition, coercive dislocation of the population, prohibiting the human and animal presence in the area, death from starvation in the detention camps, the similarity in digging the mass graves and the means of execution along with the timing and places. Whereas the accused 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid said in front of the tribunal on 2007 February 07 that when the 5th Corps Commander asked him on how he could deal with the civilians.he advised him to deal with them like the previous operations, anyone is found, they must be sent to the security if they are a family.. .but if he is a captive, he will be investigated by the security entities. The style of the investigation was distinguished during the implementation of Al-Anfal operations and this is what the accused, Farhan Mutlak emphasized before the tribunal and in several sessions, he said, "before starting Al-Anfal operations, the applied style in the investigation was recording the statements of the suspects and then transferring him to the General Military Intelligence Directorate, but after starting the operations, the suspect's statement was recorded and the Northern Organization Office was informed to get a permission for summary execution". The real intention for the regime that was represented by the head of the regime, convicted Saddam Hussein in achieving his policy was honoring all those who committed the most dangerous crimes in the current age, through granting a bravery medal to each of Hashim Sultan and Ayad Zaki for their distinguished roles in Al-Anfal operations as they were considered the Corps Commanders. The attackers designated specific places to execute some of the victims and that's what was mentioned by the accused, Farhan Mutlak before the tribunal, where he said that the executions were carried out in the Corps shooting field. Another proof is the mass graves where the victims were executed by shooting from the execution teams, whereas that tribunal noticed throughout the statements of the survivors including the plaintiffs ([NAME REDACTED]), they all emphasized that when they were transferred to the prepared places for their executions, they saw the gravediggers in the place and the holes were ready and then they were pushed towards these holes where the execution teams were shooting them dead. The gravediggers and shuffles then covered these holes with dirt. All these crimes and killings were committed as a result of a plan or designed general policy on the national level that targets the Kurds as a national or ethnic group. This is shown in the decision of the toppled Revolutionary Command Council numbered 160 for the year 1987 that includes an implementation of the policies of government and the Ba'th Party. The accused, 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid carried out an implementation for his policy and issued a letter numbered (3650) on 1987 June 03 and the letter numbered (4008) on 1987 June 20 along with putting all the civilian, military and party government entities in the northern area under his command to achieve the target. The tribunal also noticed that the troops and the security entities that attacked Kurdistan and started killing and detaining, did not distinguish between the victims either being civilians or fighters (Pishmarga). That's actually what happened when they executed around 27 individuals (men) in Kurimi village after they were separated from the women without being sure if they are all civilians or fighters. A meeting was held in Kirkuk and was attended by the Chief of Army Staff and his deputy for operations dated 1988 August 21. This meeting produced the following, (The concentration of the population in the 5th Corps sector will be designated and dealt with by fierce special attacks 24 hours prior to the attack start in order to create panic among them). This is a proof that the attackers were targeting all the population either they were civilians or fighters children or women, the court has noticed, through the events and plaintiffs' testimonies, that officials in-charge of prison camps taking away the detainee's identification cards [I.D]. This is what one, who stood before court, confirmed saying "I saw a hill of I.D's" as convict 'Ali Hasan Majid asserted in court.

    The attackers followed a systematic way in planning through similarity in crimes' active patterns and geographic deployment as International Expert Snow corroborated an organization, planning and similarity in all mass graves excavated at Ninawa [2 and 9] Muthanna [2]. This matching in these actions' patterns is a proof on the provision of a plan or policy to raid over the Kurds as a national ethnic community, within limited period of time [1987 - 1988], as some sources estimated Al Anfal victims to reach 182 thousands. It had been clear, to the court, that Al Anfal Operations stretched over most of Kurdistan, within its four governorates [Kirkuk, Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil and Duhuk], devastating and dislocating vast regions [more that 3000 villages], murdering, relocating and arresting tens of thousands of victims, preventing the human and animal existence as well as agronomy, and shutting down fountains via reinforced concrete. Targeting this part of civil inhabitants, which is not to be considered easy, is evidence over the partial eradication's intent of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    The court noticed as well that attackers didn't differentiate among their victims, neglecting facts such as gender, age, health status or pregnancy . This is obvious through murdering women and children by toxic gases during the raids over Kurdish villages, asserted by International Expert Michael Trample, in the court, on 2006 November 20 "27 women, two elders and 85 children" found in Ninawa [2] mass grave "were exhumed" ... He added "The embryo's status belonging to the lady on whom we carried examination . a fetus or embryo aged 6 to 7 months. This victim [female], with her embryo, was beneath Ninawa [2] mass grave's remains. All those who survived the mass graves, when transported to the execution fields, were carried via government's vehicles, most of them were blindfolded and handcuffed, always at sunset. Hitting against the Kurds physically and targeting their properties is none but another evidence over the intent or veiled aim against this community . As most of the plaintiffs confirmed, in their testimonies facing the court, the murderous operations and properties' oppression, elaborated through Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid instructions, enclosed in Letter [4008], dated 1987 June 20, granting National Defense Regiments the authority to seize villagers' civil properties. Despite thousands of victims who were executed by fire-shots and were contained in mass graves, as well as civil executions, famine while detained in camps, and toxic gases. Hence, numerous victims are still suffering from theses raids' consequences, as some stood before this court, exposing chemical weapons' scars over their bodies.

    B- Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid role concerning genocide by causing severe mental or physical damages:

    Causing severe mental or physical damages [genocide] require the following basics:

    1- The perpetrator's act will cause a sever physical or morale damage in an individual or more.

    2- The individual - individuals are affiliated to a given national, ethnic, racial or religious community.

    3- The perpetrator intends to partially or totally eradicate the aforementioned community as for its given specs.

    4- The behavior results within a similar obvious conductible pattern, headed against this community or when the behavior, itself, creates such eradication.

    We have already mentioned that the ex-regime waged a large scaled military attack over Kurdistan within an elaborated and systematic plan or policy targeting Kurds as national ethnic community . Most of the victims mentioned the fall of thousands of dead from civilians while destroying and ruining down thousands of villages . Then, coercive dislocation of inhabitants, driving them away to detention in Tupzawa, Nuqrat Al-Salman, Nazarki and Al-Dibs camps, or to mass graves . This correlated severe mental or physical damages in civilians as officials in-charge of the aforementioned camps, especially Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, did not exert any effort to prevent the killing ... That's what the court concluded through correspondences between health and administrative directorates in Kirkuk Governorate with prison camps' supervisors and in-charge officials [Al-Dibs and Tupzawa] ... We recall Letter [783], dated 1988 June 12, issued by Kirkuk Health Directorate, addressed to Kirkuk Governorate, including handling Kurds' corpses available in prison camps, as being incompetent with legal conditions . Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid, as being the ultimate ruler of Northern Region and Kirkuk Governor Convict Mundhir Nusayyif Jasim, as being in-charge of the Security Committee, didn't exert any effort to prevent murder or even granting the issue their awareness, though their headquarters were located in Kirkuk. The court also noticed cases or rape [against Kurdish women] in Tupzawa and Nuqrat Al-Salman camps . As protected plaintiff (.... ) included in her testimony that she had been exposed to rape and watched another woman committing suicide for being raped by Shamkhi [one of Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp's officials]. Another protected plaintiff confirmed that Convict Hajjaj [Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp's commander] had forced pretty women to visit his room at night . The detainees were exposed to a diversity of physical and psychological tortures. As it had been included in Victim [NAME REDACTED]statement in front of court, on 2006 September 11, that she witnessed her aunt's [[NAME REDACTED]] death, and others [NAME REDACTED].

    She also witnessed the death of a man called [[NAME REDACTED]] due to torture and another [NAME REDACTED]... Witness [NAME REDACTED]mentioned, in front of court on 2006 November 27... "they used to drive us to one of the rooms which is full of smashed glass, ordering us to walk backward on forward . they tied us on a platform" . He adds " One day, I went out of the hall to see three individuals hanged . their sexual organs were tied to gas bottles" . The court identified that all detainees were exposed to unbearable starvation as Victim [NAME REDACTED]revealed, in front of court on 2006 November 27 ... that they remained in Qura Tu Camp for ten days with no food or water ... all detainees confirmed that their meal was one or two loaves of bread per day. International Expert Snow opinion came identical and affirmative to victims' testimonies, as he conducted a medical exam on 7-months-old child's [NAME REDACTED]remains who died along with her mother due to malnutrition . The aforementioned expert informed the court, on 2006 November 28 . "The skeleton was way too retarded . A retardation in bones development . I noticed the severe bones' malnutrition" ... Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]mentioned in front of court, on 2006 October 17, that his wife died at Nuqrat Al-Salman prison camp due to famine because she couldn't eat the dry loaf of bread . Her teeth were gone and she had permanently a fever . she delivered 20 days before dying . Her baby's cries roared the detainees' cells . He [the victim] took the child to the prison commander but dismissed him . the newborn baby died of famine as well. The detainees were exposed to a diversity of torture's techniques aiming to oppress, humiliate, disdain, and harm their dignities . As Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]told the court on 11 October 2006 ... "The officials in charge of the prison camp ordered . the men to bark like dogs or imitate donkeys".

    In the audio tape, pertaining to Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid, contained while being proffered n court . "Maybe we think of accepting them as Iraqis . as a second priority community (T.C: second class citizens)" ... Asit occurred in the audio tape passed to court and pertaining to Convict Saddam Hussein "they earned their bad characteristics from 'Ajam (T.C the Persians)".

    The court acknowledged, when some of the plaintiffs stood before it, the chemical gases' poisonous effects, as most of them suffer from problems in their respiratory systems, scars over the body, and psychological damages caused by these horrible prisons. Victim [NAME REDACTED]narrated in court, on 12 September 2006 ... [NAME REDACTED]cousin died at Nuqrat Al-Salman prison camp due to famine . The black dogs disentombed the grave and ate the corpse. When his sister [NAME REDACTED]saw the aforementioned incident, she went crazy and died after. These are few samples, chosen to reinforce facts of what the Kurds, as national ethnic community, were exposed to. Al Anfal Operations' damages are heavier than a human conscience could ever imagine. If the court wanted to tell the details of each crime, it would be in need of volumes and volumes of books. Rather, the court has chosen specific samples to prove the former regime leaders' involvement, as well as Ba'th Party, in shameful crimes. Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid was the main responsible for all committed crimes which caused big damages to community' members, due to the provision of intent, acknowledgement and will as being the highest official in Northern Zone with all state's security, military and civil systems under his command. As for crimes perpetrated in Nuqrat Al-Salman camp, he is criminally responsible through intent, acknowledgement and will as well. The convict, said in an audio tape passed to court that he is the one who sent victims to governorates along with bulldozers and shovels "I partitioned them over governorates . shovels will be induced from there . and Pocleins (T.C: brand of shovels) ". So, Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid is legally responsible over crimes committed as per Article [15 \ Second \ Fourth] of this court's law No [10], for the year 2005, as being the higher commander in the Northern area, issuing detention orders, instigating such acts, and contributing with other individuals with a contributory criminal intent to perpetrate a crime, aiming to reinforce Ba'th and Security systems' criminal activity or purpose.

    C- Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid role in genocide by subduing the community to harsh living conditions, aimed for material eradication:

    To submit the community, premeditatedly, to harsh living conditions, aimed for material eradication, considering it genocide requires the following basics:

    1- To impose [by the perpetrator] certain living conditions on one or more individuals.

    2- Individual - individuals must be affiliated to a specific national, ethnic, racial or religious community.

    3- The perpetrator must intend to partially or totally eradicate the aforementioned community [included are the specs].

    4- The imposed living conditions must intend a partial or total material eradication of the community.

    5- The conduct must be the result of a sequential similar behavioral pattern obviously targeting the community, or to create, itself, that eradication.

    Genocide's elements of proof are subduing, premeditatedly, the community to harsh living conditions, aiming to eradicate it materially, taking into consideration the sufficient period of time, the average of imposing such conditions which lack suitable medical care and hygiene, shortage in provisioned health services, famine evidence, the adopted pattern to force out inhabitants from their homes, living conditions destitute of suitable clothes, segregation within the one family, as we will tackle the adaptation of such factors in reality proving that Convict 'Ali Hasan Majid was intending to materially eradicate the Kurds as national ethnic community. The former regime was adopting, as general policy, an economic besiegement imposed on territories under Kurdish Forces [Pishmarga] control. Hence, during 1987 - 1988, the blockade became stricter over the aforementioned territories, until banning in and out travels. Everyone within this zone was to be killed as per letter number [4008)] issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid which prohibited agronomy as well as agricultural and industrial investment . The military forces launched a vast attack, known as Al Anfal Operations [8], dislocating the civil Kurds to prison camps and governorates' security committees. The peak of this attack occurred in spring 1988 and lasted till autumn of the same year. Families including men, children and women were detained, from 1988 April till September of the same year, in prison camps supervised by security committees commanded by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. The detainees suffered harsh living conditions in these prison camps lacking suitable health care as most of the plaintiffs confirmed the non-existence to such thing which encouraged the flow of ailments such as diarrhea, vomiting, and skin illnesses. This situation led to the death of hundreds as Victim [NAME REDACTED] testified in front of court, on 2006 October 17 ... "The death toll at Nuqrat Al-Salman attains sometimes the 20, on a daily basis" . As, Victim [NAME REDACTED]testified in front of court, on 2006 October 9, describing the aforementioned prison camp, "halls were filthy, full of lice, as many ailments spread like rubella, typhoid, diarrhea, vomiting and skin disease".

    The other element of proof . is that those in charge of these camps did not provide the minimum of essential health services . Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]revealed, on 2006 November 27, in front of court, that one of the women at Tupzawa camp was having her period and the soldiers were mocking her. Women were relieving nature, next to halls while guards looking at them ... Another victim said "We were extremely beaten while relieving nature, if we are one minute late in toilets". Most of the plaintiffs affirmed the unavailability of any kind of medicine or doctor, inside the camp. Victim [NAME REDACTED]mentioned to court, on 2006 October 11, "At Nuqrat Al-Salman Camp, they brought us water via tankers, which we found later on that it wasn't potable after many detainees fell ill ... Ailments included diarrhea and vomiting causing the death of many. I recall [among those who died] my son [NAME REDACTED], a woman and her two sons, as well as three of my other sons who drank from that water." All detainees, who were at Tupzawa, Nazarki, and Nuqrat-al-Salman among other camps, mentioned that the daily personal ration was one and half to two loaves of bread. The shortage in food supplies led to a hysterical famine's situation within the camps, especially at Nuqrat Al-Salman where Plaintiff [NAME REDACTED]stated in court, on 2006 October 17 ... "Usually, 6 to 7 persons died each day. During my detention at Nuqrat Al-Salman, 770 detainees died, as the gross number is 7000 detainees at this camp" . The evidence of perpetrating such acts [expel pattern] is emphasized by civil inhabitants' dislocation to camps, carried on by the army and attackers . entombing another part. Convict [NAME REDACTED]had confirmed, in the tapes submitted to court, more and more the evidence "The Fifth Corps' Commander asked me about a way to handle civilians. I told him to act the same as in previous operations . Whomever you find, you send to Security if a family or to Security systems for investigation is a captive". As for suitable clothes, which is another element of evidence, detainees of Kurdish nationality and ethnicity did not get any ... Even those who died in camps were buried with no respect to Islamic legislative customs [burial and cerements . As for the living . The new born was wrapped in one piece of sackcloth [TC: known as guniyyah which is a manual hard fabric used mainly for packing bags] instead of textile . Victim [NAME REDACTED]mentioned to court, on 2006 October 10 ... "One of my relatives, Nasrin, was detained along with me. She delivered a baby there. We put her in the bathrooms, placed underneath her plant leaves, to deliver the infant on them ... Due to lack of textile or clothes ... we wrapped the baby with sackcloth which agglutinated to his skin . We cut the umbilical cord via a piece of glass. Detainees were exposed to another type of harm ... rape inside camps ... Victim [her name is protected], revealed to court, on 2006 October. that she had been exposed to rape by Convict Hajjaj in Nuqrat Al-Salman camp . She mentioned that 6 other girls were also raped by convicts Hajjaj, Shawqi and Sakhr, who are guards and officials at Nuqrat Al-Salman camp. The 6 aforementioned girls were 3 from Kirkuk, 2 from Al-Sulaymaniyyah and 1 from Kuysinjaq [the court retains the girls' names for social aspects]. The convict continued "When Convict Hajjaj raped me, I graved my nails in his face, but he hit me back on my face and the scars remain . Convict Hajjaj used to rape one girl in front of the other girls" . The Court identified an element or harm of other type which is the segregation within one family . Most of the victims confirmed segregating women and children from men ... Victim [NAME REDACTED], brought up to court, on 2006 August 22 ... "When we were detained at Rashkin camp, men were segregated from women. I saw my brother [NAME REDACTED]holding his wife's, [NAME REDACTED], begging her not to leave him . One of the guards kicked him in the face, and threw him inside a car carrying men who drove him to an anonymous place" . Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED]pointed out to court, on 2006 September 15, when he saw his daughter [NAME REDACTED]in Tupzawa Camp, crying badly, while the officials in charge of the camp, were segregating men and women. The plaintiff does not know anything about his wife and 5 children's fates, including [NAME REDACTED]. What victims faced . Whether raids executed by attacking forces, using chemical weapons and permanent effects of these lethal weapons, physical and psychological torture they faced, death of hundreds from starvation at Nuqrat Al-Salman, Tupzawa, Dibs, and Nazarki camps [among others], humiliation, disdain, lack of hygiene and medical care, and segregation within one family; all of the aforementioned facts are considered elements of evidence and cogent proves on subduing this national ethnic community to harsh living conditions aiming at a physical eradication. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is held criminally responsibility for subduing this national ethnic community to harsh living conditions intending a physical partial or total eradication, as being the ultimate ruler of the region, issuing detention and arrest orders, instigating the perpetration of these offenses, contributing with other individuals [contributory criminal intent] to commit a crime to reinforce Ba'th Party as well as his security, military and civil systems' criminal activity or purpose. Being the ultimate ruler of the Northern Zone will not immune him against criminal charges over crimes committed by individuals operating under his command [subordinates], if he had been acknowledged, or had from the reasons to be aware of his subordinates perpetration or intent to commit such acts, and he [the higher commander] did not take necessary or appropriated measures to prevent the occurrence of these activities, or did not refer the case to appropriated authorities to implement investigation and prosecution. Therefore, Convict's 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid legal charges will be derived from Article [15/First, Second and Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005.

    In light of correspondences, between Presidency of the Republic and General Military Intelligence Director, dated 1987 March, including the provision of an intelligence report to Presidency, regarding Kurdish fighters' activities and the impact of air strikes against them, Convict Saddam Hussein replied by forming a committee of specialists to strike with special ammunition. The General Military Intelligence Directorate [GMID] specified targets in Balisan basin including Balisan village, Tutma, Khati and Shaykh Wasanan, and Qara Dagh basin including Takya, Balak Jar and Siwsinan. It also reviewed the probability of 3 different agents Mustard, Sarin, and Tabun. Convict Saddam Hussein approval had been granted using chemical weapons. On this background and information, the bygone Revolution Command Council met with Ba'th Party State Command to discuss the Kurds situation in Northern area, in order to draw an obvious policy or plan targeting those [Kurds] as a national ethnic community. All these circumstances had prevailed Decree [160] for the year 1987; granting Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid large scaled jurisdictions, as he commanded all state's civil, military, security and party's systems. On the other hand, he had been granted the full authority to dismiss personnel as per Decree [244] for the year 1987 by virtue of Decree [160] for the year 1987. The implementation of Ba'th Party and Revolution Command Council's policy, in Northern Iraq, had been passed to the convict, especially after issuing Decree [160] for the year 1987, focusing on eradicating Kurdish villages sheltering Kurdish fighters (Pishmarga). The plan has serious consequences over immense residential concentrations. However, its implementation imposed coercive dislocation of inhabitants, far from their homes, into government compounds. This operation was headlined "Villages' Regrouping". It included the execution of Kurdish civilians, as the letter dated 1987 May 1, from Autonomous Ruling Security to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security, answering one individuals' inquiries about the whereabouts of their brothers and parents . The answer came that his brother was executed for being a saboteur. As for his parents, they were also executed due to Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid orders. In another memo, from Halabja Security to Al-Sulaymaniyyah Security, holding Ref No [3329], dated 1987 May 14 ... "based on Comrade 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid request, First Corps' Commander issued an order of execution against wounded civilians, after that Party Organization, as well as Police and Security Directorates affirmed the hostility of the aforementioned wounded to the regime. It also included the devastation of Kani-Ashqani neighborhood via bulldozers. All the aforementioned are none but introductory phases to ghoulish crimes which shook humanity's conscience, carried by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and others, framed within a contributory criminal plan targeting Kurds which started in 1987 June and lasted till 1988 November.

    Based on Decree [160], Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid issued instructions, enclosed in the 2 letters [3650] and [4008], dated 1987 June 3 and 1987 June 20 consecutively. These two letters are considered the pillars upon which all attacks, after 1987 April 6, were based. In other words, the attacks implemented after that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was assigned in charge of the Northern area. Letter [4008], dated 1987 June 20, included highly important issues "All prohibited villages are considered dens for saboteurs. Therefore, an human or animal existence is totally prohibited within the area, as well as in and out travels, agricultural and industrial investments, as Corps' commands must carry out special strikes [Chemical Weapon], from time to time, to kill the biggest possible number of individuals residing this area. Whoever arrested will be detained and executed if his age range is between 15 and 70 years old [included]". The convict granted National Defense Regiments the right to seize villagers' properties. Letter [5083], dated 1987 July 22, from North Organization Office to First Corps, included Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid quotation "We don't have objection on cutting off traitors' heads, but it would have been better if they were referred to Security for investigation, maybe they'll extract important info prior to their execution". There are countless documents which confirm orders to demolish villages, carry out chemical attacks, handing families [women, children, and elders] to Security committees and detention centers in Tupzawa, Dibs, Nazarki, Qura Tu, and Al-Salamiyyah camps [among others]. All of them were exposed to harsh inhumanity, torture, humiliation, famine, and lack of appropriated hygiene and medical care. Hundreds faded away in these camps due to famine, adding up field executions without trials. All these orders were issued according to Letter [4008], dated 1987 June 20. GMID letter, dated 1987 June 10, directed to North Organization Office, informed Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid that a special strike was carried out over Ziwa causing high casualties [31 murdered and 100 wounded]. Another Military Intelligence letter, dated 1987 September 8, to Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, informed the latter that a special ammunition [chemicals] attack targeted Pira Magrun, assuring that nearby villages' inhabitants were killed. Letter No [9223], on 1987 December 5, included the implementation of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid's order to execute 28 persons, including four women from Shaqlawa, as no indication of a trial had been spotted. Hence, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid admitted to the court, that executions were carried without trial, since he was authorized of doing so, by Revolution Command Council. All of the aforementioned is a proof of a plan or policy, laid down on the national level, targeting the Kurds as national ethnic community in Northern Iraq, led by bygone Ba'th Party and Revolution Council Commands. This plan or policy was preplanned and reviewed by Convict Saddam Hussein and his Command's Members, including Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. Where as the correspondences which took place between Presidential Diwan, Military Intelligence Directorate, North Organization Office and Army Chief of Staff, concerning chemical strikes [chemical weapons] prove convicts' acquaintance Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. The Ba'th Party and regime's policy is marked throughout the regime's lead, Convict Saddam Hussein, statements, as he says in the submitted audio tape, within your hands "we will render them Arabs ... as Salah 'Umar Al-Ali clan ... turned to Arabism". In another passage, he lances "The Kurds earned their negative characteristics from the 'Ajam (T.C: the Persians) ". As for Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, in the audio tape submitted to court, he stated "Except Irbil and Al-Sulaymaniyyah governors, I do not trust any Kurd at all" to "Maybe we will accept them as second priority Iraqis (T.C: second class citizens) " and "Strike them chemically and eradicate them all ... They thought International community will rescue them . Damn this International community . And any of God's States who back them". The court realized criminal arrogance, challenge, and excessiveness with Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid challenging the International community.

    The disdain, vituperation, and blasphemies are clear evidences on Ba'th organization's real intent, headed by Convicts Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. For the submitted, the court becomes absolutely convinced that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid dully acknowledged, in details, the murder, relocation, starvation, humiliation, coercive dislocation of civil inhabitants, harsh living conditions which victims suffered from, adding up the intention [special intent] to partially or totally eradicate the Kurds due to chemical weapons' usage, coerce dislocation of civil inhabitants [women, children and elders], carry field executions without trials, driving them to detention and arrest centers or mass graves which 3 of them had been excavated at Ninawa [2 and 9] and Muthanna[9] by International Experts. All the aforementioned prove Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid vicious intentions. We deliberately elaborated legal requirements and elements of proving murder, severe damages, subduing the community to harsh living conditions aimed for partial or total eradication, while illustrating convict's role ['Ali Hasan Al-Majid] in these crimes through an intent of discrimination and eradication over a systematic pattern of perpetration, as well as a provisionary plan or policy to commit genocide, military troops' performance following orders from Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid using chemical and conventional weapon against Kurdish civil inhabitants, killing thousands, demolishing and burning down their houses and villages, transferring children, women and elders to prison and detention camps, driving some to mass graves after being executed. The court recognized that Al Anfal Operations veered into a new path, throughout 4th and 5th operations, when there was no excuse to dislocate inhabitants. The latter were been massacred, from the 5th operation onward Kurimi village's massacre devoured 27 executed individuals from civil inhabitants. These incidents are evidence over Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid real intentions. The court noticed, also, that weapons were largely used in Kurdistan, not differentiating between civilians and fighters. They were used at specific times aiming to psychologically, physically and emotionally hurt the Kurds, when villagers gather to eat dinner at night, or throughout Ramadan. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid denied, in front of the Court, using chemical weapons or acknowledging such conduct. However, through submitted audio tapes, passed to the court, he threatened by chemical weapons many times. His allegations were an intention to scare the Kurds. Such pretends were falsified in Letter [4008], dated 1987 June 20, where he ordered corps commanders to use ammunition at all times to kill the biggest number of those within Prohibited Zones. The convict affirmed the authenticity of the letter, in addition to other letters and correspondences between Northern Organization Office, headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, corps' commanders and GMID enclosing special ammunition's usage.

    Accordingly, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid had the intention to partially or totally eradicate Kurdish civilians due to their ethnicity. Most of the victims testified that they had been exposed to murder, dislocation, starvation and humiliation for being Kurds only. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid contributed, with Convict Saddam Hussein, in carrying on their joint criminal plan, aim and intending to eradicate the Kurds in Northern Iraq which are aged between 15 and 70 years old [included]. In addition, Military Troops attacks over Kurdistan, following Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid's orders, using all types of weapons from aircrafts, helicopters, armors, infantries, rocket launchers and chemical weapons against civil inhabitants. These villages were raided by all kinds of weapons, causing the death of thousands. Whereas survivors ran away to the mountains as another part [children, women and elders] were moved to police camps or mass graves. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is a member in the bygone Revolutionary Command Council and Ba'th Party Command, and cousin of Convict Saddam Hussein. Al-Ba'th Party Command and the Revolutionary Command Council found that the only trustable person able to carry their policy in Northern Iraq is none but Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. It's impossible to execute such a horrible crime as genocide the government's contribution. Hence, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is one of those who administrated and managed genocide, added up to his contributory criminal intent to perpetrate genocide, resulting in the individual responsibility, such as 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, as for genocide committed via murder, causing severe mental or physical damages, subduing the community to harsh living conditions, aimed for eradication following the pattern of responsibilities indicated in Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005 in Article [15/ Second]. In other terms, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid conduct can be described as perpetrated it [the crime], as in individual, reinforced it, and contributed joint criminal intent to partially or totally eradicate the Kurds in Northern Iraq through premeditation and issuing orders or perpetrating genocide as per Article [15/ Second/ (A-B)]. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and his attorney debated over the military necessity for defense. But any court clarifies rejection to adopt genocide as mean of military defense, the reason why the court do not discuss this motive because it is not a legitimate one to conduct genocide or crimes against humanity.

    For what had been represented, the Court sees that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid contributed, individually, in executing joint criminal plan with others as well as contributing in joint intention to totally or partially eradicate the Kurds in Northern Iraq, premeditatedly, through issuing orders to murder, cause severe physical or mental damages, and subdue them to harsh living conditions aiming to exterminate them all. These were the orders implemented by his subordinate leading to the death of a vital, immense majority of Kurds inhabitants in Northern Iraq, killing them, causing severe physical or mental damages and subduing people to harsh living conditions, aimed for eradication.

    Accordingly, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is guilty for genocide which had been committed between 1987 June and 1988 September, stipulated in Article [11/ First/ (A-B-C)] and Article [11/ Second/ (A)] by virtue of Article [15/ Second/ (A-B)] and Article [15/ First/ Second/ Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005, by virtue of Article [406/ 1, (B-F)] and by virtue of contributory Articles [47, 48 and 49] of Iraqi amended Penal Code No [111], for the year 1969, It had been decided to charge and identify the sentence accordingly, as the verdict is issued on 2007 June 24

    On 2007 Feb 20, the Court charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid with committing crimes against humanity as per Article [12/ First (A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I and J)] by virtue of Article [15/ First/ Second/ Third/ Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005. In crimes against Humanity, it is conditioned to have a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants, violating Iraqi High Tribunal Law ... Through Article [12/ Second], attack is defined as a conduct enclosing repetitive perpetration of acts contained within its [Article] 10 clauses, against any group of civil inhabitants following the state's policy. When the term "attack" is used to describe a crime against humanity, it will be different than the one used along War Codes, Attack Conceptualism or Armored Disputes ... These concepts are different and separated ... When an attack occurs either on a large scale or systematic scheme ... Because the attack is not a must to be on a large scale or systematic at a time ... Hence, Iraqi High Tribunal Law ... requires one of the two conditions [either a wide-scale or systematic] ... As the large scaled or systematic nature of an attack is basically a relative theory. Therefore, analysis will be framed if the attack is described as large scaled, systematic, or both, as it is the court's duty to interact with the individuals on whom such attack occurred, enlightened by tools, techniques, conditions and attack's outcome on the aforementioned group will be sure if the attack was indeed large scaled or systematic ... The systematic attack is that which occurred as per a policy or preplan [Special International Tribunal for Rwanda] in the case of Karshima, dated 2001 June 01, Clause [23] conditioned that the large scaled or systematic attack target civil inhabitants, as there is no need for a complete inhabitants existence. In other terms, the targeted inhabitants must be, by majority, civilians ... Elaborating over the probability of saying that the attack was targeting civil inhabitants ... The court will consider tools and techniques used throughout the attack as well as victims' situation and casualties ... without forgetting the deployment nature of the attack.

    A- The Assault:

    The Court finds that the committed acts against Northern Iraq Kurds and Kurdish villages, in the period between 1987 March until 1988 September, was a series of actions using massive Military Force and mistreatment. These actions constitute an attack within the concept stipulated by Article [12/ Second - (A)] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law.

    B- Wide-scale or Organized:

    The Court finds that attacks carried throughout the operations known as Al Anfal, and before and during Al Anfal, were large scaled and systematic

    1. Dr. Snow and others witnessed that Al Anfal Operations consisted of large scaled attacks, guided against more than three thousand villages, causing as much damages as casualties among civil inhabitants

    2. According to available evidences, in the case, the executed attack, dated 1987 March until 1988 September, relied on organized plans laid down and applied by officials in the former regime.

    C- The aforementioned attack, which occurred prior to 1987 end of June, was implied in an organized way via a technique which accredits a preplan.

    D- All attacks, which occurred after 1987 June, were an implementation of a stipulated policy enclosed in the instructions issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid according to Letter [4008], dated 1987 June 07, adopted in Al Anfal and other Security Systems' Operations.

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid role in murdering as a crime against humanity: Crime Basics:

    1) The perpetrator must murder one or more individuals.

    2) The conduct must be committed as part of a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants.

    3) The perpetrator must be aware that such conduct is informed part of a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants, or to intend such act as part of the attack.

    The perpetrator must acknowledge, in crimes against humanity, that his conduct or act is part of systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants, or must intend this act as part of the aforementioned attack. These crimes must be correlated to preconceived malice and nature of committed crimes, throughout the attack, vis-a-vis attackers' resistance and the attacking forces' degree of commitment or attempt to abide to war codes' requirements. One of the main basics of murder as crime against humanity is the factual existence of the community, as well as a known policy targeting a given society, involving high political and military commands, adding up the distinguished nature of the attack and exorbitance of the schemed nature of the committed acts, without forgetting the shooting over an unspecified group of people, followed by orders of segregation and violation of war codes' requirements. Since Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is the Supreme Leader of Northern Zone according to Decree [160] for the year 1987, as we previously brought up his Legal Responsibilities as per Article [15/ First, Second, Third and Fourth] of this court's code, where the Military Forces raided along with Security Systems, a large scaled attack over Kurdistan, during (1987-1988). All state's military and civil capabilities were exploited in the aforementioned attack where bombing started via aircrafts, artillery, rocket launchers, special ammunition and conventional weapons, causing the death of thousands of Kurdish civil inhabitants and injury of other thousands due to chemical and conventional weapons' usage. On the other hand, thousands faded away in camps or were driven to mass graves or field executions. Kurds, as a national ethic community, resided Kurdistan in Northern part of Iraq, and have their own language, culture and traditions. Decree [160] for the year 1987, issued by Revolutionary Command Council, granted Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid vast jurisdictions as he commanded all government's civil, military, security and party systems, freezing all codes which contradict with the aforementioned decree. Accordingly, the convict issued instructions to all military commanders in the region, as per Letter [4008] dated 1987 Jun 20, prohibiting the existence of any human or animal nature within Prohibited Zone, killing any person found there ... ect ... Decree [160] and Letter [4008] prove, with no doubt, especially from their outcomes [destruction, calamities, murder, dislocation, famine] after being carried by appropriate systems, the availability of a known policy targeting the Kurdish society. The embroilment of high political and military commanders such as convicts Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, Corps' Commanders, and Staff of Army Chief and his Lieutenants, is none but another element of proof in this systematic large scaled attack. The attack's distinctive nature is also another element of proof as chemical weapons were used against Kurds for the first time in Iraqi history where all humanity didn't witness a regime eradicating his own populace using chemical gases such as Al-Ba'th Regime and convicts Saddam Hussein and 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid. These weapons were used against civil inhabitants in Kurdish villages. As for the schemed perpetrated acts' exorbitance, the immense military force engaged in Al Anfal Operations, whether in the first or eighth, had exploited all available sorts of weapons in the government, including chemical weapons, as villages had been raided, in a condensed manner, killing who had been killed, injuring who had been injured, followed by an arm march to arrest who survived, from civil villagers, carrying them via military vehicles to detention camps. This pattern had been repeated all along Al Anfal Operations. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid confirmed such schemed nature in front of court, on 2007 February 07, by saying "when the 5th Corps' commander asked me how to handle Kurdish families through Al Anfal Eighth Operations ... I requested as before in previous Al Anfal Operations". On the other hand, the other criminal basic [shooting an unspecific group of people] was elaborated when officers gathered 33 men in the village of Kurimi and shot them down, murdering 27, without investigating whether they were civilians or Pishmarga fighters. Another element of proof resides in the hope to segregate a group from the other; all victims who stood before Court testified that they witnessed or had been segregated themselves over many groups as women and children from men, young ladies from elders, young men form elders, driving young men to mass graves, shooting down or executing them.. The Court recognized that from Ninawa [2 and 9] and Muthanna [2] mass graves. Hence, the attackers did not comply with war codes' requirements, as military forces carried out their systematic large scaled attacks over Kurdistan without respecting the mere war laws' requirements when using toxic gases, murdering thousands with this lethal weapon and wounding thousands, as victims described that day as if it was Armageddon.

    The Court has noticed, from tangible and morale evidences, as well as submitted documents and victims' testimonies, that the strikes against civil inhabitants grew more aggressive as of Al Anfal Fifth Operations onward, where Kurdish civil inhabitants were exposed to massacres, and Kurimi Village's massacre is none but a sample.

    So, through elements of proving murder as a crime against humanity, the attack over Kurdistan was systematic and on a large scale considering the attack's nature, immense military exploited to raid, organized murder of civil inhabitants, letter No. [4008] dated 20 June 1987] including the order to kill anyone found within Prohibited Zone ranging from 15 to 70 years old [included], and instructing corps' commanders to prepare special strikes, at all times, in order to kill the biggest possible number of residents within the aforementioned zone. Letter [12307], dated 10 June 1987, issued by the Intelligence to Northern Organization Office indicates "in the last dawn of June 05, Al-Barzani group's Branch Headquarter was air bombed with special ammunition; the strike was efficient as casualties reached 31 dead and 100 wounded. 1st Corps' Letter No [352], dated 1987 July 08, to Northern Organization Office which was headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, included the execution of seven persons. Security Directorate's letter No [9223], dated 1987 December 05, contained carrying on the order of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to execute 28 persons, among who were four women from Shaqlawa.

    The above mentioned documents and letters prove the existence of intent and will, regarding Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid ... Thus, he would have issued orders of murder and contributed, with others, in a joint criminal intent aimed to reinforce Ba'th Regime and its Security and Military Systems' criminal activity and purpose as per Article [15/ First/ Second] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005.

    Verdict of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for premeditated murder as crime against humanity:

    On 2007 February 20, the Court charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for premeditated murder as crime against humanity as per Article [12/First-(A)] by virtue of Article [15/First/ Second/ Third/ Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005; reviewing provisional evidences in the case, issuing the following verdict:

    The Court has reviewed provisional evidences pertinent to the case, from documents, victims, witnesses and convicts' testimonies, experts' reports, examinations and everything correlated to the case. It noticed that military sectors and Security and Party Systems, affiliated to Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, carried a systematic large scaled attack against Kurdish civil inhabitants, between 1987 and 1988. The outcome was thousands of dead Kurdish civilians and tens of thousands dislocated into detention and prison camps. These latter were exposed to all sorts of psychological and physical torture and famine. Many were driven mass graves where they had been executed via fire-shots then buried in. All these tragedies and calamities, which affected the civil Kurds, were the result of orders issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to his henchmen to attain his criminal intent as per a joint criminal plan, according to Decree [160], for the year 1987, granting Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid vast jurisdictions [National security Council's jurisdiction included], assigning him for bygone Ba'th Party and the Revolutionary Command Council's policy implementation. To effectuate this plan or policy, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid issued Letters [3650] and [4008], dated 1987 June 03 and 1987 June 20 consecutively, which are considered the basics of launching a systematic large scaled attack against Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq. The two aforementioned letters, both issued and signed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, comprised highly dangerous orders such as prohibiting any human or animal's existence in the area, killing any person available within Prohibited Zone with an age range from 15 to 70 years old [included], instructing Corps' Commands to concentrate strikes with special ammunition (chemical weapons), day and night, to kill the biggest possible number of those residing the aforementioned zone, as well as preventing agronomy agricultural investment, irrigation, and food supplies, murdering any human or animal available within the area.

    Consequently, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid ordered military units and other security services to carry a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants in Kurdish villages in Northern Iraq. Field executions had been applied with no trial. The convict testified before Court that he issued these orders because he was authorized by Revolutionary Command Council to do so, as he claimed. As an implementation of his orders, 28 persons, including 4 women from Shaqlawa, were executed, according to Letter No. [9243], dated 1987 December 05, issued by Security Directorate. Furthermore, the Military Sectors led large scaled attacks, during Al-Anfal eight operations, using all sorts of government's available conventional and chemical weapons. Most of the victims described these attacks as being Armageddon. The raids' outcome devoured thousands of children, women and elders, whereas many other thousands were driven away, by military vehicles, to Security Committees or Northern Organization Office and then to detention and prison camps at Tupzawa, Dibs, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah [among others]. Women - Children and men, youngsters and others, were segregated from each other and transported, via governmental vehicles, to mass graves where execution's divisions shot them down prepared pits, burying them beneath as bulldozers inundated them with sand. All this had been confirmed by survivors from the aforementioned mass graves, whose testimonies are documented before court. Other Kurdish civil inhabitants, who had been dislocated at Nuqrat Al-Salman or remained under detention in Dibs, Tupzawa, and Bahirka camps [among others], had been exposed to unbearable inhumane sufferings such as humiliation, disdain, torture, famine, and lack of hygiene; where hundreds died as result of starvation, especially in Nuqrat Al-Salman where black dogs gulped down their bodies, in front of their relatives' eyes.

    Accordingly, the Court has been convinced that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid ordered the murder of all those found within the Prohibited Zone, as per letters [3650] and [4008], dated 03 and 20 June 1987 consecutively; as he ordered to carry on systematic large scaled attacks against Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid knows and premeditates the murder of civil inhabitants, through execution of his orders by his subordinates, aiming for a joint criminal plan as he acknowledged and intended a crime against humanity as part of a systematic large scaled raid over Kurdish civilians in Northern Iraq. This had been stated in Letter No. [1122], dated 21 August 1988, issued by Army Chief of Staff concerning Kirkuk Conference, which the convict attended, which contained the clause "there must be a total devastation of sabotage in the Northern Zone". These are irrefutable evidences proving that civil inhabitants were exposed to murder as per Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid direct orders which imposed civilians' execution without trial, as well as pushing Corps' Commanders to use chemical weapons, which constitute undistinguishing weapons (WMD), against civil villagers in Northern Iraq. Plaintiffs and witnesses' testimonies, those who were exposed to conventional and chemical weapons, tackling how thousands of them had been killed, come to add another certainty of conviction.

    The Court is convinced that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid contributed in carrying on a joint criminal plan, with others, with a joint intent and purpose to murder Kurdish civilians in Northern Iraq and totally or partially eradicate them. As part of this joint intent and plan, he premeditated and ordered the murder of civil inhabitants as part of a systematic large-scaled attack against civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq. The aforementioned orders had been carried by his henchmen [subordinates] causing countless number of dead victims, by virtue of provisional charges against Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, this latter is found guilty of premeditated murder as a crime against humanity, between 1987 and 1988, as per Article [12/First-( A)] by virtue of Article [15/First/Second/Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005.

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid role in genocide as a crime against humanity:

    The Court has charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid with genocide as a crime against humanity, as per 2007 February 20 Letter, according to Article [12/ First-(B)] of this Court's Code.

    The crime's elements:

    1. The perpetrator must murder one or more individuals, enforcing victims to live in harsh conditions which will lead to the eradication of a part of inhabitants belonging to a given community.

    2. The conduct must constitute a massacre activity against community's members [civil inhabitants] or part of this activity.

    3. The conduct must be perpetrated as part of a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants.

    4. The perpetrator must acknowledge that the conduct is part of a systematic large scaled attack against civil inhabitants or intent this conduct as part of the aforementioned attack.

    These elements and requirements must be provisioned to be able to say that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is criminally in charge of those crimes.

    The genocide proof elements as crime against humanity are; evidence of strike, evidence of causing death, evidence of handing the victims over to an armed group and ordering them to murder the victims, and evidence of murdering on a massive scale, evidence of the relative number of casualties.. evidence of the lists of victims recognized by name, evidence of the use of armed forces having a support center to the attack field, total accumulative evidences used to prove mass murder average, evidence of murder operations and evidence of crimes [by themselves as murder crimes], evidence that the suspect murdered of a large number of targeted individuals as a proof of incrimination and awareness, and evidence that the suspect intended to carry severe physical damage on numerous targeted individuals, with the reasonable acknowledgment that this murder will probably lead to death.

    All these elements are provisioned in the case's file to prove genocide as crime against humanity, during 1988 and 1987. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, as being the supreme leader of the Northern area, whose orders can not be argued but rather directly implemented, even though such practice is considered a breach of local laws as well as International Codes and Customs, whereas Convict Farhan Mutlak said in front of court, on 2007 February 15 ... "Is there anyone who could tell [the convict] I will not carry orders? Let's be logic your Excellency, chief of judges". Through tangible and morale evidences provisioned to the case, as well as victims' testimonies, documents, and files which were submitted to court in both investigatory and prosecution phases, it became convincible that Iraqi Army and Security systems carried out large scaled attacks over Kurdistan during 1988 and 1987, using all state's provisioned sorts of weapons, especially after Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid had issued his famous letter titled "Handling Prohibited Zone's villages", numbered [4008] on 1987 June 20, addressed to military commanders, by which any human or animal existence had been prohibited within the aforementioned zone, but shooting was permitted with no restrictions whatsoever [murder is allowed], murdering any individual to be arrested within the area with an average age between 15 and 70 years old [included], instructing military troops to prepare special strikes [chemical weapon] to murder the biggest possible number of those residing the areas. Hence, the element of ordering to carry casualties is provisioned through Letter [4008], on 1987 June 20, which Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid confessed its authenticity in both investigatory and prosecution phases.

    As of the proof of handing victims over to a group ordered to murder them, this is what in charge officials carried at Tupzawa Camp where they handed them over to another group at Al-Ramadi. The latter [group] extradited and drove them to the place appropriated for executions in a mass grave at Al-Ramadi. Plaintiff (victim) [NAME REDACTED], one of the mass grave's survivors, from Al-Ramadi, revealed "they put us in vehicles from Tupzawa toward Al-Mawsil then to Al-Ramadi. When we reached Al-Ramadi Police Station, the driver and guards were swapped. The other group drove us to an area outside Al-Ramadi, with two Land Cruisers and two shovels. The vehicles stopped and we heard screams and gun shots, as night had landed. I witnessed lines of humans shot down by the same officers who were in the Land Cruiser. I couldn't imagine people being killed that way. We tried to resist but when they sensed it, while inside the vehicle, they shot us as we were still in there. There were 2 dead bodies over me. One called [NAME REDACTED], while the other I don't remember his name. Three of my friends ran away from the vehicle. I went out of the vehicle. I made a U-turn and tried to escape. I fell down a hole full of bodies including that of [NAME REDACTED], someone I used to know. I saw another corpse. I took of my clothes and ran to a lightened side. While running, I saw heaps of soil and holes that I think were mass graves. What the victim mentioned is an element of proof over handing [camp's officials] victims to armed group and then murdering and executing them in mass graves, a proof that murder was carried on a massive scale. The court didn't reach the exact number of victims due to lack of official statistic and region's vast area, as the large scaled contained the large areas of 4 governorates [Al-Sulaymaniyyah, Irbil, Duhuk and Kirkuk). In addition, the former regime made sure not to reveal information concerning the number of victims. However, the estimated and circulated number, after gathering evidences, victims' testimonies, and case's facts, reaches the 182 thousands, though it is not accurate.

    Proving the provision of lists of victims' names, each of the plaintiffs and victims whom attended the court and their testimonies been documented, submitted a list of victims from his village. As for armed forces' usage, the court reviewed the size of used military force in the attack, through documents, and victims, witnesses and convicts' testimonies. It's been confirmed that the state exploited all its military capabilities, in the attack, from conventional and chemical weapons, aircraft, artillery, launchers and big number of military units which convicts mentioned in their testimonies. As example, we mention the telegram issued by Presidency of the Republic - Secretary, Special Security Organization [SSO] and others, numbered [4/5/28/(SR)], on 1988 March 22, which included the following "it had been approved to attack the enemy by special ammunition of the Air Force, Army Aviation and Artillery alongside the front, prioritizing 1st Corps' front".

    The other element is the center of support to the attack's commander which is implied by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid according to Decree [160] for the year 1987 by being the ultimate commander of the Northern area.

    The other element is the accumulative evidences to prove the average mass murder is the execution of 27 civil individuals at Kurimi village by army officers. The court subdued a site examination on the place of incident. This examination had been supported by International Expert Dr. Snow report which interred the mass grave's corpses at Kurimi.

    The court had been informed over the report of International Expert Dr. Trample who supervised the excavation of 3 mass graves at Muthanna [2] (114 victims), Ninawa [2] (123 victims), and Ninawa [9] (64 victims). Most of those victims were fire shot.

    General Security Directorate's letter, addressed to the 45th Directorate, numbered [9223], on 1987 December 05, contained carrying on the order of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid to execute 28 persons, among who were four women from Shaqlawa.

    What we mentioned above is an evidence of mass killing operations and an evidence of the killing as a crime.

    The evidence that the suspect killed a big number of targeted individuals as an evidence of the intent and knowledge is the letter number (4008) on 1987 June 20, to kill any one exist in the restricted security area from age (15) to (70) (included) and the convict Farhan Mutlak's confession in front of the court on 2007 February 15 that he executed individuals carrying out the convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid's order, which is not but a convincing evidence that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was targeting the Kurdish civilians with premeditated intent and acknowledgment to achieve the criminal result.

    As for the evidence that the result was aiming to cause a severe physical harm to a massive targeted individuals logically knowing that this action will lead to death. The of evidence of that is taking thousands of victims to the Security Committees or Northern Organization Office then to the detention camps in (Tupzawa , Nuqrat Al-Salman and Nazarki) and they were exposed to harsh conditions such as lack of medical care and food shortage. Most of the victims confirmed that the daily personal ration was one to two loaves of bread and hundreds of them died in those horrible prisons. The victim [NAME REDACTED]mentioned in front of the court on 2006 October 19, we arrived at Nuqrat Al-Salman prison and I saw the prison full of detainees of all ages individuals from elderly men, women and children, even we though that all Kurdistan people are in this prison. He added they used to give us little food and drink water from the faucet, then they cut the faucet water after that they brought to us water tanker with clean and dirty water. Also our share of food was two loaves of bread per day and we drank the dirty water, some died due to lack of food. We sent 3 individuals to talk to Al-Hajjaj and asking him about our situation, and he said (You been brought here to die not to live). A Question from the court to the victim, do you know names of the individuals whom died in the detention camp? He answered yes, I participated in burying (20) individuals, I remember (18) individual's names and one of them from Qadir Baqir village I don't know his name. The others are ; Mala Fattah from Dujayla village (T.C: it is a village in Sirwan sub district/Halabja county) , Sabir Karim Bag from Qamisha village, Dhuha Isma'il from Kuysinjaq, Sufi Salih from Guma Shin, Dana Hasan Rasul from Gup Tapa, Husayn Mahmud form Gup Tapa, Sharif Sharif from Zarda, Kadrun Qadir and his wife Aminah from Haladan. I was handing over the dead individuals' identities to Hajjaj, among the detainees were blinds and madmen, and due to the bad conditions approximately (1800) detainees died in the prison. There were individuals in charge of the holes who were counting the dead continuously. This is a sample that was chosen among tens of victims whom testified in front of the court and confirmed the human suffering and the harsh conditions in the prisons and the psychological and physical harm they were exposed to.

    Verdict of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for genocide as crime against humanity:

    On 2007 February 20, the Court charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for genocide as crime against humanity as per Article [12/First-(B)] by virtue of Article [15/First/ Second/ Third/ Fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005; reviewing provisional evidences in the case, issuing the following verdict

    During the years (1987-1988) the Kurdish civilians and the Inhabitants of the Kurdish villages in northern Iraq were subdued to a wide-scale mass murdering due to the orders of convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid whereas the Revolutionary Command Council (Bygone) has issued decree (160) for year 1987 by which the convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid became the absolute roller of the Northern area who had under his command all state's civil, military, security and Party systems. He had been assigned to carry out bygone Ba'th Party and Revolutionary Command Council's policy in Northern area. When Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid took over, on 1987 April 06, he implemented his plan or policy organizing a systematic large scaled attack against Kurdish civil inhabitants as per the aforementioned decree. He included his orders in letter [3650], on 1987 June 03, and letter [4008], on 1987 June 20, killing and preventing any human, animal or agronomic existence, as well as industrial and agricultural investments, putting an end to anyone arrested within the prohibited zone whose age range is between 15 (included) and 70 years old (included), instructing military troops to prepare special attacks, day and night, to murder the biggest possible number of those residing the area, adding up the verbal orders pertaining to Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid regarding the murder and execution of Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq, where 28 individuals [from Shaqlawa] were executed according to letter number [79223], on 1987 February 15, following Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid orders. Letter number [5083], on 1987 July 22, issued by Northern Organization Office to 1st Corps, included the convict's comment "We don't object cutting off traitors' heads, but it had been better if they were send to Security for investigation, prior to execution". Accordingly, military and security forces launched a systematic large scaled attack against Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq, aiming to totally or partially eradicate them. The military troops raided over Kurdish villages' civil inhabitants using conventional and chemical weapons. Due to concentrated bombing, using these weapons, thousands of Kurdish civilian were murdered inside their villages and houses, as the majority of plaintiffs described the aforementioned attacks as Armageddon. The military units arrested whoever survived the chemical and conventional attacks and transferred them to Northern Organization Office or Security Committees in the Governorates and then to the detention centers in (Tupzawa, Dibs, Nazarki, Al- Salamiyyah ......) and others, and some of them were sent to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) Prison, most of Plaintiffs mentioned that the attacking unites destroyed and burned their houses and villages, and blocked the water sources with concert in order to prevent the villagers from returning to their villages. The purpose of the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) was destroying the civilians physically and psychologically, and he was aware about what happened of killing, massacres, displacement and starvation of the civilians, whereas it was mentioned in the letter No. (8574) on 26 April 1988 issued from the Ministry of Defense's Diwan to the Chief of Army Staff that (1- There is no objection to strike with the special ammunition in order to create more psychological effect, 2- It is required to Resume the operations, and I think the subject is now under discussion with 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid)... It is clear that the convict ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) is the perpetrator and commander of all the mass murder cases whether through field executions or using the undistinguishing weapons (WMD) (chemical) against the civilians to kill and eliminate them. A visible change happened to the attacks progress specially after the Fourth Al-Anfal Operation and at the start of the Fifth Al-Anfal Operation until the end of Al-Anfal closure (T.C: Khatimat Al-Anfal) Operations, whereas the Kurdish civilians of Northern Iraq were exposed to genocides, whereas it was mentioned in the General Military Intelligence Directorate (GMID) letter No. (11325) on 10 June 1988, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff ... Their minimum losses (58 killed) and (72 wounded) of the saboteurs and their families and the villagers as result of the special strike (chemical weapon). Also the army carried out a genocide at (Kurimi), a village related to Dahuk by executing 27 civilians by fire shooting them after collecting and deceived them that there is an amnesty decree issued by the convicted (Saddam Hussein), the inhabitants surrendered although they were civilians. The statement of one of the survivors from that slaughter was documented by the court. Other slaughters were carried out through the field executions or bombing with the chemical weapon in addition to thousands of youth were transferred from the security departments by governmental vehicles to the mass graves all over Iraq from the north to the south.Three of the mass graves were disinterred by the international experts and under the supervision of the court and they were (Ninawa/2 whereas (123) bodies were picked up, (98) child and (25) woman, and they all were executed), mass grave (Ninawa/9 whereas (64) bodies were picked up, they all were adults, and they were executed by shooting with automatic weapon), and mass grave (Muthanna/2 whereas (114) bodies were picked up, (27) for adult women, (2) for adult men, (85) child, and they were executed by shooting them while they were standing). And also (145) document were found with the corpses in the two mass graves (Ninawa/2 and Ninawa/9) which were personal identifications, military service certificates, salary certificates, photos, letters, and personal belongings. The international expert mentioned that as result of analyzing the age, origin and the gender it was clear that the bodies were for Kurdish origins, and the clothes were more clear because of it were the Kurdish trouser around the waist. Also it was mentioned in the voice tape showed to the court, the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) confession when he says (what shall I do with that large number of people, I distributed them to the governorates, and I sent the gravediggers and bulldozers from the Northern Zone to those areas). The above mentioned documents and orders confirms that the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) premeditated issuing orders to carry out genocide against the Kurdish civilian inhabitants in northern Iraq, and he knows and premeditates to make the genocides a part of a wide-scale systematic attack against the Kurdish civilian inhabitants of Northern Iraq according to the criminal joint plan, which he perpetrated with others intending to eradicate the Kurds totally or partially. ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid's) orders of the field executions and killing any person [from 15 (included) to 70 years old (included)], and attacking the Kurdish Villages in Northern Iraq with chemical weapons to kill the biggest number possible of the civilian inhabitants proves his intention and knowledge of the matter, also banning the agriculture in the area, preventing any food substance from reaching the area, destroying the houses and burning it, destroying the water wells, demolishing the schools and mosques, in addition to killing any human or animal existing in the area.

    According to the above mentioned, the court finds; the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) participated personally and with others in carrying out a joint criminal plan and perpetrated intentionally with a joint aim in order to eradicate the Kurds in Kurdistan of Iraq totally or partially. And as a part of this joint intention and this joint plan he perpetrated orders to kill the civilians on large-scale in Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) as a part of wide-scale systematic attack against the civilians in Northern Iraq, and the orders were carried out by his subordinates and resulted in wide-scale killing.

    Based on this, the court finds that the evidences are enough and convinced for condemnation of the Accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) and he is guilty of genocide as a crime against humanity which carried out between (1987-1988) according to the Article (12/First-B) by virtue of Article (15/First/Second/Fourth) of the Iraqi High Tribunal Law No. 10 of year 2005 and by virtue of Article (406/1-B-F) of the Amended Penal Code No. 111 of year 1969.

    The accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid's) role in the crime of coercive dislocation of the inhabitants as a crime against humanity:

    On 20 February 2007, the court accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) on the crime of coercive dislocation of the inhabitants as a crime against humanity according to the Article No. (12/First-D):-

    The crime's bases:

    1- The accused relocates or forcibly dislocates a person or more to another country or another place or with any other coercive action for reasons that are violating the international law.

    2- The concerned individual or individuals exist legally in the area that they were relocated or were transferred from.

    3- The perpetrator knows the actual conditions which prove the legality of this attack.

    4- The perpetrator's act is a part of a systematic or large-scale attack against the civilian inhabitants.

    5- The perpetrator knows that this act is a part of a large-scale attack against the civilian inhabitants.

    These are the crime bases and the requirements which must be available so we can say that the accused ('Ali Hasan Al-Majid) is criminally responsible for this crime....the proving elements are many. For the first base, an evidence that the displacement carried out without choice, an evidence that the victims were arrested before they were displaced, an evidence on the fear atmosphere... destroying the houses of the displaced inhabitants.....An evidence that the civilians were treated as prisoners....An evidence that deny the military necessity ... and an evidence on transferring the civilians outside of the inhabited zone in contrary to the international humanitarian law...etc. Most of the proving elements we mentioned are available in the case concerning transferring the civilians from the Kurdish villages that were included by Al-Anfal Operations and forcibly removed from the area where they lived legally (Kurdistan Region) with regard to the fact that they are Iraqi Kurdish Citizens, Farmers, women, children and elderly.....they were living in the area for a long time...whereas the Iraqi Military Forces in (1987-1988) launched its systematic and large-scale attack on Kurdistan Region... and destroyed more than three thousand village and transferred the civilian inhabitants, men, children and women and forcibly dislocating them after arresting them contrary to...the national and international law, whereas they were arrested in (Tupzawa, Dibs, Qura Tu, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah) prisons, and a large number of them were transferred to (Nuqrat Al-Salman) Prison in Al-Samawah desert and the other part was taken to the mass graves.... providing that (Tupzawa, Dibs, Qura Tu, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah) camps are for the army and People's Army and not prepared for housing families, children and women as the accused confirmed in their testimonies. The evidence for the displacement or forcibly transference of the inhabitant civilians' against their will is clear in all the victims' testimonies before the court in the interrogation and trial stages, and it was conformed by the accused (Sultan Hashim Ahmad) who said before the investigating judge that the procedures of transferring the civilians were illegal and no body agrees to be displaced from the region he was living in for a long time. The evidence of arresting the victims before their dislocation is what was mentioned in the testimony of the victim [NAME REDACTED]....when we arrived our village we found that half of it was destroyed and the bulldozers were demolishing the other half...and an Officer called (Captain Sattar) recorded our names then they brought military vehicle type (ZIL) and transferred us to (Taqtaq) area and they detained us in the poultry farm... then separated the men from the women and the youths from the old...then they transferred us by vehicles to (Tupzawa) and divided us into three groups, the old, the young men and the young women group...after that they transferred us to (Nuqrat Al-Salman).

    The victim ([NAME REDACTED]) mentioned in her testimony before the court on 08 November 2006 that: They collected our village's inhabitants and transferred us to (Kani) Area and they divided us into two groups, a group for the men and another group for the women, they brought military vehicles (ZIL) and transferred us to (Nazarki) castle....our men were exposed to harsh conditions of torturing, assault and beating and they took the men to unknown place. They transferred the women and children to a far barrenness area called (Bahirka) and I stayed there for one year and a half. I remember that the approximate number of the detained in (Bahirka) about (100-200) thousand individual, have no buildings and the people sleep in the open....at the winter we protected only with the tents which ((Irbil)) Inhabitants bought to help and rescue us. The evidence of the existence of fear atmosphere is in the Chief of Army Staff's letter (1122) on 21 August 1988, addressed to the 1st and 5th Corps and concerning the meeting which the Chief of Army Staff and his Deputies of Operations attended in (Kirkuk), the first paragraph stated: "Defining the concentration of the population in the 5th Corps sector and treating them with the intensified special strikes (48) hours prior to the start of operations to create panic between their ranks"...in addition to the usage of chemical weapons by the attacking units at dawn and dusk. That was confirmed by most of victims and plaintiffs, especially in Ramadan month when the villagers are returning to their houses to break the fast, the military forces then were striking them with special strikes, then the military forces besieging the villages and collecting what remained of the families and transferring them to the detention camps by military vehicles, this is a clear evidence of the systematic and large-scale attack against the civilians....most of the victims described the military forces attacks against the civilians in the Kurdish Villages as the Day of Resurrection.

    The evidence of destroying the houses of the dislocated inhabitants is that there are documents and evidence such as the Intelligence System of the Eastern Zone's letter Ref. (1745) on 17 August 1987, addressed to the Military Intelligence Directorate containing a list of 21 demolished villages ... and Eastern Zone Intelligence System's letter No. 1863, dated on 1987 August 31, that was directed to Military Intelligence Directorate, containing a list of 9 burned down and vanished. All convicts admitted before court the aforementioned operation as well as dislocating the civil inhabitants.

    The evidence that citizens were considered as detainees ... this is what all victims had confirmed . as they had been detained and transferred by military vehicles to Northern Organization Office or Security Committees, to be investigated and segregated between men and women, youth and elders, and then put down in fenced camps under restricted security surveillance.

    The evidence of un-provisioned military necessity is that the villages' devastation included those of 4 Governorates stretching from east (Al-Sulaymaniyyah) to west (Duhuk), passing by Irbil and toward south (Kirkuk) ... However, the existence of Kurdish resistance (Pishmarga) does not justify such systematic wide scaled attack against more than three thousands villages, exploiting all government's military capabilities from aircrafts, helicopters, armors, rocket launchers and special ammunitions . All this super power was targeted against civil villagers . it is not logical or rational to exploit such force against individuals from Pishmarga lifting light to mid ranged arms . Hence, the court is totally convinced that there was no justification for such attack, especially when questioning the convicts ... Was it possible for Al-Anfal Operations to attain the spotted targets without using special ammunitions? ... The answer came affirmative

    The evidence of relocating citizens outside the inhabited region contrary to the International Law for Humanity ... where it really happened when relocating thousands of women, children and elders to Nuqrat Al-Salman camp which is located in Al-Samawah south of Iraq. They were subdued to diverse types of oppression, physical and psychological torture, degrading the human dignity, famine, rape, lack of hygiene and health care and spread of diseases among families . All these matters are against national and international laws for humanity . The elements which we mentioned, correlated with provisioned facts, and physical and morale evidences prove that the attack was systematic and wide-scaled.

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid Verdict concerning coercive dislocation of inhabitants

    On 2007 February 20, the court charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid with dislocating or relocating coercively the populace as per article [12/ 1st - (E)] and by virtue of article [15/ 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10] for the year 2005. Additionally, the court discussed provisioned evidences in the case and issued the following verdict: In early April 1987, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid became in charge of Northern Organization Office. After the bygone Revolutionary Command Council Decree [160] issuance for the year 1987, which granted him wide jurisdictions, including National Security Council's jurisdictions and executing the bygone Ba'th Party and Revolutionary Command Council's policies in the Northern area , putting under his command all party, security, military and civilian government systems, in order to carry on the aforementioned policy or plan. Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid issued two letters number 3650 dated on 1987 June 3 and number 4008 dated on 1987 June 20, which included a group of matters like: (It's totally forbidden to deliver any food supplies or human resources to villages within Prohibited Zone included in Phase 2 of villages grouping . It's not allowed for agronomy to continue on for winter and summer seasons, as well as livestock . the military force must kill any human or animal to be found within the aforementioned area . Those included in dislocation to compounds will be informed and held responsible if violating instruction . instructing military troops to setup special attacks (chemical weapons) to kill the greatest number of those residing the area following such orders issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid according to a systematic plan studied by Ba'th regime, the military troops and security systems launched a systematic wide-scale attack against Kurdish civil inhabitants residing villages in Northern Iraq, after being informed and acknowledged of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid orders including a threat to civil inhabitants to leave their houses and area or else they will be held responsible, as military troops started attacking the villages via a diversity of weapons, including chemical weapons.

    After a concentrated intense bombing over these villages, the troops went forward to carry survivors of imminent death to camps in Tupzawa, Dibs, Qura Tu, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah and others, by military vehicles. All convicts including 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid confessed dislocating families [children, women and elderly] to compounds prepared for such purpose, where all victims, who stood before court, confirmed that they were transported by military troops to detention and prison camps after ruining down their houses and villages with bulldozers, burning them down. Huge numbers of civil inhabitants were coercively dislocated as the number of burned down and demolished villages reached more than 3000 villages; with an estimated population of hundred thousands of inhabitants.

    Those who had been transported via government and military vehicles to detention and prison camps where partially placed in Nuqrat Al-Salman. One f the victims mentioned to court that there number was somehow 7000 children, women and elders. The other part was detained in compounds or camps such as Dibs, Bahirka and others . Through victims' testimonies and provisioned evidences in the case, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was aware and intended a coercive dislocation of civil inhabitants as part of a systematic wide-scaled attack against civil inhabitants, as mentioned in letters 3650 and 4008, where the convict confessed, during the two stages of investigation and trial of all the aforementioned letters contents. Whereas to allege or say that coercive dislocation was implemented for the security of civilians, will not convince the court due to letters number 3650 and 4008, where civil inhabitants escaped their villages after the bombardment with non-distinction (chemical weapon) and conventional weapons. Then the military troops forcedly transported them coercively to compounds or prison or detention camps under state's authority. Hence, no evidence or presumption proves that civil inhabitants' dislocation came as of care to their safety.

    The court finds that civil inhabitants in Kurdish villages are Iraqi Kurds, farmers, children, women, employees and students residing this area [Kurdistan Al-Iraq] legally, from a long time, where they were exposed to a sympathetic wide-scale attack, burning down their villages and houses, then were transported to camps after being arrested by attacking units. All those who stood before court confirmed the aforementioned adding up being exposed to all kinds of humiliation, disdain, mental and physical torture as well as a mood of terror where it was mentioned in letter 1122, dated on 1988 August 21, issued by Chief Army of Staff to 1st and 5th Corps mentioning "population concentration will be defined in 5th Corps sector, handled by intensified special strikes, 48 hours prior to attack, to create a state of fear in their ranks"

    The civil inhabitants were unwillingly dislocated, as Convict Sultan Hashim Ahmad confirmed, because no one agrees on leaving his own land and farm.

    The dislocation of civil inhabitants from their villages, arresting and detaining them in terrible camps where they were exposed to all kinds of oppressions, mental and physical torture, degrading the human dignity, famine and lack of hygiene and health care, all these matters are against national and international laws for humanity. The criminal intent of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is proven following that fact that these acts were committed as per orders issued by him directly as it is elaborated via provisioned evidences in the case like victims' testimonies, documents and official correspondences.

    Accordingly, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid contributed individually and with other people, in executing joint criminal plan as well as a joint purpose to totally or partially eradicate the Kurds in Northern Iraq. As part of joint intent, he premeditated and ordered the dislocation of Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq coercively, within a systematic large scaled attack, as these orders were executed by his subordinates causing a coerce dislocation for numerous countless civilians in Northern Iraq.

    Accordingly, the court finds that evidences are enough to charge Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid and he is guilty of coerce dislocation of inhabitants as a crime against humanity, committed between 1987 and 1988, as per article [2/ 1st - (D)] and Article [ 5/ 1st/ 2nd/ 4th] of Iraqi High Tribunal law No [10] for the year 2005.

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid role as for the charge of unfair imprisonment or extreme deprivation from physical freedom considered as crime against humanity

    The elements of the crime:

    1. If the crime's perpetrator imprisons one or more individuals or severely deprives one or more individuals from their physical freedom, in another way.

    2. If the enormity of the act reaches a limit which is considered as violation of basic International Law regulations.

    3. If the perpetrator knows about the factual circumstances which reveal the enormity of the act.

    4. If the conduct was perpetrated as part of sympathetic wide-scale attack against civil inhabitants.

    5. If the criminal is aware that the conduct is part of a systematic large scaled attack directed against civil inhabitants and to intend such conduct.

    The legal requirements, for such elements of proof, proving the perpetration of imprisonment or extreme deprivation from physical freedom, as a crime, are many ... an evidence on arrests ... high average of arrest ... evidence of imprisonment ... detention ... factual detention as well as consideration of age . evidence of consideration of the health status . evidence on period of detention . evidence on the possibility of declaring a release . an evidence that detainees were searched and registered, once entered detention camp . evidence of maltreatment and physical damages within detention period ... an evidence of detainees death . an evidence of exposing detainees to inhuman conditions as evidence of random illegal detention.

    Most of these elements were provisioned to court through evidences submitted during both investigation and prosecution . as it had been mentioned by all victims that they had been transported to camps after a systematic large scaled attack over civil inhabitants residing Kurdish villages and then putting them in detention . the correspondences which occurred between North Organization Office, headed by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid, and commanders of corps and security systems' in charge personnel, over how to handle families or civil inhabitants, transporting them to camps, are none but a plus evidence that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was aware of each tiny detail regarding detention and deprivation from freedom that Kurds were expose to .

    All victims confirmed in both investigation and prosecution stages that they were transported from their villages, by military vehicles, to North Organization Office or Security Committees and then to Tupzawa, Dibs, Nazarki and Al-Salamiyyah camps, where women and children were segregated way from elders as well as youngsters and placed in Nuqrat Al-Salman camp south of Iraq or driven to mass graves. Those detainees were exposed to different kinds of oppression, where many died from famine due to harsh living and health circumstances, lack of hygiene, health care and food supplies.

    Hence, the victims and plaintiffs did not mention that 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid himself detained and imprisoned any victim as no one heard him ordering his detention . but from case's facts, provisioned morale and physical evidences, correspondences and letters and civil detainees were treated, especially letter number 4008 dated on 1987 June 20, stating that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is the ultimate ruler in the northern area where no one is privileged to object his orders, rising him as criminally in charge of arrests and detentions, as well as deprivation from physical freedom, targeting Kurdish civilians. All these acts are against the law where Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid told the court that no detainee can be released unless he says so. When asked by court if someone of the detainees died or had been released, are you informed? He responded "Absolutely, because the detention order is issued by me as well" This is an absolute evidence over detention and arrest orders are originally the will of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid.

    The proof of arresting people or high average of detainment, is included in letter number (4008) dated 1987 June 20 which included orders to prohibit human and animal existence in the region, detaining any person arrested. As of imprisonment, or real detention, it had been proved by victims who stayed for a variety of periods at Tupzawa, Nazarki, Bahirka or Nuqrat Al-Salman camps. Taking in to consideration the age of the elders is proven when segregating elders and youngsters, youngsters and children, keeping on the elders while driving the young to mass graves and executing them. As for prisoners' health, many victims confirmed the lack of medical care and doctors, in camps. Furthermore, the proof of prisoners' civil situation is revealed in the detention of thousands of children, women and elders, as some attained court, confirming that they are all civil inhabitants residing villages, especially the women and children. Detention duration varied from a camp to another since most of the victims assured that their detention period at Nuqrat Al-Salman started from April 1988 and ended in September of the same year. Detainees at (Bahiraka) Camp remained for a year and half. Additionally, the proof of decreeing a possible amnesty for detainees is accomplished when Saddam Hussein released the amnesty. Most of the detainees were searched and registered once inside the camp, as victim 'Aziz Wahab stated testified "They ordered us to hand over all belongings on us such as pocketknife and brooch, then they gathered us for interrogation. At investigation, the officer asked me about my name, address and relatives. After writing down my statement as well as others, they put us in a hall and soldered the door".

    The proof of committing inhuman maltreatment and physical assault by wardens causing detainees physical damages during the detention period or while investigation them, is the fact of being exposed to beaten and physical damages as it had been confirmed by Victim Yunis Haji Haji, testifying to court, on 2006 November 27, "They were forcing us to walk on smashed glass inside locked rooms". He added, "One day, I have seen three prisoners tied to their sexual organs gas bottles". However, the proof of death of hundreds of prisoners was assured by most of victims that describing the terrible circumstances and lack of food supplies or medical care, as Victim ([NAME REDACTED]) clarified, on 2006 October 17, before the court, "6 to 7 prisoners were dying each day, and during my detention period, (770) were dead at (Nuqrat Al-Salman) camp". Also, we shouldn't forget what occurred in Kirkuk Health Directorate's letter number (783), dated 1988 June 12, addressed to Kirkuk governorate regarding how to handle Kurdish corpses within camps, for not satisfying legal conditions.

    Being exposed to inhuman conditions is what most of the victims confirmed due to lack of hygiene and medical care, food shortage, humiliation, disdain, and famine. As of random illegal arrests, it was framed by arresting Kurdish families including children, elders, women and youngsters, without differentiating between children, woman, elder, or youngster. This had been confirmed by all victims and plaintiffs who stood before court, especially the women. All these acts were committed in camps following the order and awareness of Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid as he was directly in charge of these camps within Northern Zone such as Tupzawa, Nazarki, Al-Dibs, Bahirka, and Al-Salamiyyah, for being the ultimate ruler in the area and he confessed it before court, "No detainees are to be released unless I issue the order". However, Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is fully aware of Nuqrat Al-Salman camp existence as confirmed by the audio tape recording his voice which had been passed to court "Where I could put all these numbers of humans? That number? I will distribute them over governorates, and then I send excavators and bulldozers there". This is an explicit confession that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid was fully aware of all camps whether in Northern Zone or other governorates. His contribution with others group with a joint criminal intent to perpetrate this crime aimed to reinforce regime security systems' criminal activity. The court is totally convinced that Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid is responsible for the detention or severe deprivation from physical freedom for those who were detained from Kurdish villagers, as a crime against humanity, as per article [15/ second- (B, F and D)] and Article [15/ fourth] of this court's code, as being the ultimate ruler of Northern Zone for a period of three years.

    Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid Verdict for imprisonment and extreme deprivation from physical freedom:

    On 2007 February 20, the court charged Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid for imprisonment and extreme deprivation from physical freedom as per article [12/ First- (E)], by virtue of article [15/ First/ second/ third/ fourth] of Iraqi High Tribunal Law No [10], for the year 2005. The court discussed provisioned evidences and verdict the following:

    As a result of orders issued by Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Maid to his subordinates [henchmen], Kurdish civil inhabitants in Northern Iraq were exposed to systematic large scaled attack as military forces raided along with security systems over civil inhabitants, dislocating them to camps at Tupzawa, Qura Tu, Dibs, Nazarki, Al-Salamiyyah, and Nuqrat Al-Salman, after arresting and searching them, registering their names and segregating men away from women and children. The detention was random not differentiating between children, women or elders; in addition, most of the detainees were exposed to inhuman conditions with lack of hygiene and medical care, and famine causing the death of hundreds. All these acts were perpetrated against Kurdish civilians. Most of those who attained the court testified that, during the years 19871988, they were exposed to systematic large scaled attack, where they were carried via military vehicles to detention centers after being arrested. What those victims witnessed is based on direct orders from Convict 'Ali Hasan Al-Majid via letter number (3650), dated on 1987 June 03, and letter number (4008), dated on 1987 June 20, which both included carrying out the aforementioned attacks against Kurdish civilians. Detainees were subdued to extreme surveillance measures with no one allowed to leave as it had been approved by all victims who attained the court. The convict himself admitted that whe