Saddam Hussein's feared cousin "Chemical Ali" and a former defence minister were questioned by an investigating judge on Saturday, launching the first phase in war crimes trials of leaders of the toppled Iraqi government. The hearings, promised by the interim government as it began campaigning for Iraq's first post-Saddam election, are expected to eventually see the former strongman and 11 aides charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, officials said. "Today, we met Ali Hassan al-Majid and Sultan Hashem," said Raed Jouhi, chief investigating judge for the Special Tribunal set up to try leaders of the toppled Baath Party regime. "What happened today was an ordinary investigative hearing for the accused... It could be repeated many times." Saddam himself is expected to be among the last to face trial. But Jouhi told reporters there was no timetable and that the other accused, including 67-year-old Saddam, would also be questioned by magistrates in the investigative stage.
