Aziz won't testify against Saddam

From correspondents in Baghdad
October 16, 2005

FORMER Iraq deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz will not testify against Saddam Hussein in an upcoming trial in exchange for his own freedom, Aziz's lawyer says.

In addition, a human rights group has questioned the fairness of the Iraqi court.
A report in Britain's Sunday Telegraph had said Aziz was ready to take the stand against Saddam, who is to stand trial for the murder of 143 Shiite villagers in 1982.

"It's completely false, I have always said that Tareq Aziz never had any intention of testifying against Saddam," lawyer Badie Izzat Aref said.

According to the newspaper report which quoted Mr Aref, Aziz would have the main charges against him dropped and would be allowed to live quietly in exile while working on his autobiography.

Aziz has been accused of two counts of mass murder, allegedly committed in 1979 and 1991, and punishable by death if he is found guilty. He denies the charges.

Link Here