Court sentences Saddam's nephew to life in prison

A NEPHEW of Saddam Hussein was sentenced to life in prison yesterday for funding Iraq's violent insurgency and bomb-making, the Iraqi government announced, marking the first verdict against a family member of the former Iraqi leader.

Ayman Sabawi, the son of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, a half brother of Saddam, was captured by the Iraqi security forces during a raid on Tikrit - the former leader's hometown - in May.

Sabawi's father, al-Hassan, who served as a presidential adviser before the invasion led by the United States, was captured there two months earlier.

The Iraqi authorities had not announced that Sabawi's trial was under way.

Tareq Khalaf Mizal, who was arrested with Sabawi, was also convicted for possessing and making roadside bombs. He was given a six-year sentence.

The Iraqi Central Criminal Court in Baghdad said that Sabawi would face a second trial - beginning on 1 November - for other, unspecified crimes to which he allegedly confessed during pre-trial interrogation.

In July, the US Treasury froze the assets held in America by six of al-Hasan's sons, including those of Sabawi.

Saddam is scheduled to go on trial on 19 October on charges of mass killings of dozens of Shiite villagers at Dujail in 1982.

Saddam's trial will begin just days after a referendum on a new constitution for Iraq.

Iraqi and US officials are hopeful that the trial will demoralise Saddam's supporters, who are waging an insurgency aimed at toppling the government.