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Iraq
Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, pictured during a hearing of the trial of Saddam Hussein on charges related to the Anfal campaign against Kurds. File photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Iraqi judge who presided over the trial of former dictator Saddam Hussein and his cousin, known as Chemical Ali, on charges of genocide against Kurds, has died of complications from COVID-19.
Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa was 52. The “courageous judge… confronted the symbols of the former dictatorial regime and their ruler, so he will remain immortal in the hearts of Iraqis in general and judges in particular," read a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council.
The council sent "condolences to the judicial family and the family of retired judge Mohamed Oreibi, who passed away due to his infection with corona.”
Khalifa was appointed as an investigative judge at the Iraqi High Criminal Court, presiding over the trial of seven co-defendants, including Saddam Hussein and “Chemical Ali” Hassan al-Majid, on charges of crimes against Kurds during the Anfal campaign and the use of chemical weapons on the town of Halabja.
“Whoever committed the crime of killing Kurds in the Anfal operations will be tried for his crime,” Khalifa said at the time.
The Anfal campaign took place over eight phases — beginning in 1986 and reaching its peak in 1988 with the Halabja chemical attack that instantly killed 5,000 people and injured 10,000. The massacre intensified in the closing weeks of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88).
During hearings in September 2006, Khalifa expelled Saddam Hussein from the court several times because of his outbursts. A few days before his execution, Saddam wrote on a piece of paper to Khalifa, saying: "I hate you so much and I cannot stand looking at your face. I will not attend court sessions in the future."
Saddam was executed before the trial on Anfal crimes was concluded. He had been sentenced to death in an earlier trial for the killing of 148 Shiites. He was hanged on December 30, 2006. In June 2007, Khalifa sentenced Chemical Ali to death.
Iraqi President Barham Salih issued a statement offering his condolences on Khalifa's death.
"With deep sorrow, we heard the tragic news about the passing of Judge Mohammed Oreibi after he spent a long and very distinguished career in serving with the judiciary and legal profession. And he took over the trial of Saddam Hussein and his regime those who ordered to kill innocent people and for genocide being committed against Iraqi populations," read the statement.
"In this calamity, I express my sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the judiciary and legal profession. I convey heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."
Updated at 11:59 pm
Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa was 52. The “courageous judge… confronted the symbols of the former dictatorial regime and their ruler, so he will remain immortal in the hearts of Iraqis in general and judges in particular," read a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council.
The council sent "condolences to the judicial family and the family of retired judge Mohamed Oreibi, who passed away due to his infection with corona.”
Khalifa was appointed as an investigative judge at the Iraqi High Criminal Court, presiding over the trial of seven co-defendants, including Saddam Hussein and “Chemical Ali” Hassan al-Majid, on charges of crimes against Kurds during the Anfal campaign and the use of chemical weapons on the town of Halabja.
“Whoever committed the crime of killing Kurds in the Anfal operations will be tried for his crime,” Khalifa said at the time.
The Anfal campaign took place over eight phases — beginning in 1986 and reaching its peak in 1988 with the Halabja chemical attack that instantly killed 5,000 people and injured 10,000. The massacre intensified in the closing weeks of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88).
During hearings in September 2006, Khalifa expelled Saddam Hussein from the court several times because of his outbursts. A few days before his execution, Saddam wrote on a piece of paper to Khalifa, saying: "I hate you so much and I cannot stand looking at your face. I will not attend court sessions in the future."
Saddam was executed before the trial on Anfal crimes was concluded. He had been sentenced to death in an earlier trial for the killing of 148 Shiites. He was hanged on December 30, 2006. In June 2007, Khalifa sentenced Chemical Ali to death.
Iraqi President Barham Salih issued a statement offering his condolences on Khalifa's death.
"With deep sorrow, we heard the tragic news about the passing of Judge Mohammed Oreibi after he spent a long and very distinguished career in serving with the judiciary and legal profession. And he took over the trial of Saddam Hussein and his regime those who ordered to kill innocent people and for genocide being committed against Iraqi populations," read the statement.
"In this calamity, I express my sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the judiciary and legal profession. I convey heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."
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