Iraq's government says it plans to try former president Saddam Hussein on only 12 charges, despite some 500 possible cases against the former dictator.
A government spokesman said today-Sunday officials believe they have 12 well-documented charges that are sufficient to ensure Saddam receives the maximum sentence. The official said the trial is expected to start within the next two months.
Saddam, who was ousted by U.S.-led forces in 2003, is accused of committing a string of crimes against humanity, including the 1988 chemical attack on a Kurdish village, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait that spawned the first Gulf War, and the repression of a 1991 Shi'ite rebellion.
The former Iraqi dictator is being held in U.S. custody in Iraq.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.
