Saddam Hussein Faces a Range of Charges - Yahoo News

By PAUL GARWOOD, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Former dictator
Saddam Hussein will stand trial for a range of charges — from gassing thousands of Kurds to executing political and religious leaders, according to a list of the cases against him obtained from the special tribunal Monday.

Insurgents opposed to Iraq's new government, meanwhile, launched mortar attacks that killed six civilians in the country's north, officials said Monday.

Iraqi officials want the case against Saddam, who could face 500 charges if prosecutors were to proceed on all counts, to concentrate on about a dozen thoroughly documented cases that authorities believe the ousted leader will be convicted on.

A list obtained by The Associated Press early Monday from the special tribunal, which will hear the case against Saddam and 11 of his henchmen, showed that prosecutors seem to be concentrating on 14 cases concerning his alleged crimes. Many received international attention during Saddam's three decades in power.