Related Event: Iraq in Transition

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and seven other senior members of his government are due to stand trial beginning on Wednesday before an Iraqi court.

They are charged with ordering a massacre of more than 140 people from the mianly Shiite town of Dujail in 1982, following a failed attempt against Saddam.

If convicted, Saddam and his co-defendants could face the death penalty, but they could appeal before another chamber of the Iraqi Special tribunal.

In Dujail, many believe Saddam will be executed.


"Saddam Hussein's trial is a new era for Iraqis. And we hope that Saddam would face death penalty in this trial."

"Let's wait and see what the legal proceedings of the Saddam trial come out with. I think that Saddam will face the death penalty for the crimes he committed against us."

Saddam and his co-defendants are expected to hear the charges against them during Wednesday's hearing, and the court will address procedural matters. The trial is then
expected to be adjourned for several weeks.

Saddam's regime was toppled in April 2003, but the former leader was on the run for eight months before U.S. troops captured him near his hometown of Tikrit. He has since been kept in a U.S.-run facility in Baghdad.