Muslim League says Saddam verdict 'well timed' with US Congress poll

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The death penalty on deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was ''well timed'' to benefit US President George W Bush in the key congressional elections tomorrow, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) today said condemning it as ''victor's justice''.

Terming the sentence handed down yesterday against Mr Hussein for crimes against humanity as a ''dastardly assassination'' of the rule of law, IUML National President G M Banatwalla said it was crystal clear that there was no fair trial.

''The entire legal process and machinery was dominated by the 'victor' of Iraq,'' Mr Banatwalla said.

There were several changes among the judges with one resigning in protest against external pressure, he said adding witnesses and lawyers faced insecurity and even assassination.

''It is also well timed to benefit President Bush supporters in the critical Congressional elections in United States,'' he said.

The international community, including the government of India, owe it to humanity and a just social order to ensure a fair trial for Mr Hussein, he said while appealing to the people of Iraq to uphold the unity and integrity of the country and amity among all sections.

An Iraqi tribunal sentenced Mr Hussein to death by hanging for the killing and torture of hundreds of Shi'ite villagers after a 1982 assassination attempt on him in Dujail. His co-brother and a former chief judge were also given the death penalty.

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