JURIST - Paper Chase: Iraq tribunal confirms chief Saddam judge has offered resignation

[JURIST] An official with the Iraqi tribunal trying Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity confirmed Saturday that chief judge Rizgar Amin [Wikipedia profile] has in fact submitted his resignation. The resignation was originally reported [JURIST report] late Friday but was subsequently disputed by two of Amin's colleagues [JURIST report]. The court official said that attempts were underway to get Amin to reconsider his decision, allegedly prompted by criticism of his handling of the trial. Amin would be the second member of the five-panel tribunal to step down, after one other judge recused himself in November because of a conflict of interest. Under tribunal rules, Amin's resignation as chief judge must be approved by both the Iraqi prime minister's counsel and Iraq's president and vice-presidents. If Amin's resignation were accepted he would be replaced. Hussein's trial for the murder of more than 140 Shiites in Dujail is scheduled to resume on January 24th [JURIST report]. AP has more.

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