Saddam faces trial for gassing Kurds, executing leaders

Baghdad: Former dictator Saddam Hussein faces a range of charges from gassing thousands of Kurds to executing political and religious leaders, a list of the cases against him showed on Monday.



Iraqi officials want the case against Saddam, who could face 500 charges if prosecutors want 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 today 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. Many received international attention during Saddam's three decades in power.



The list contains few details. Iraqi authorities believe the trial against Saddam, which could commence within two months, will have a major effect on curbing the violent insu