Chief judge in Saddam trial says resignation final
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-23 17:24

Rizgar Amin, who resigned as chief judge in Saddam Hussein's trial to protest against alleged government interference, said late on Sunday his decision was final.

"Everybody is trying to influence my decision but it is final," Amin said in brief comments to Reuters.

Saddam's trial is set to resume in Baghdad on Tuesday after a turbulent recess in which Amin's resignation was followed by calls for his substitute to be barred over suspected links to Saddam's Baath party.

Amin resigned this month, complaining of government interference after leading officials in the administration accused him of being too lenient and allowing Saddam to use the trial as a political platform.

Amin's resignation rocked a court whose ability to mount a fair trial amid sectarian and ethnic strife had already been thrown into doubt by the killing of two defense lawyers and mutual accusations of intimidation.

The court was thrown into fresh confusion last week by calls for Amin's stand-in, Judge Sayeed al-Hamashi, and 19 others to be barred for suspected links to the toppled leader's Baath party.

The tribunal has insisted Hamashi will preside over Tuesday's session. He has also emerged as the consensus choice of his fellow judges to replace Amin permanently.