Saddam Hussein's legal representatives today made an appeal to justice ministers in Sweden to provide a neutral venue for the former dictator's trial for crimes against humanity.
Advisers to the deposed tyrant hope the country will stage the hearing and also offer to detain him during any subsequent sentence.
London-based legal adviser Giovanni di Stefano has held discussion with Swedish authorities and said he hopes they will support efforts to move the trial outside Iraq.
"We don't believe there can be a fair trial under the conditions of war apparent in Iraq," said Mr di Stefano. "How can you calmly talk with a client or hear witnesses when there are bombs exploding?" The adviser, among several representatives working for Hussein, said legal aides are also seeking to move the trial to Europe to ensure the ex-dictator does not face the death penalty.
It is not yet known if Sweden will support the idea, or if it would be considered by the Iraqi Special Tribunal, the authority charged with handling the trials of Hussein and other members of his former regime.
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson has said his country, which did not support the war in Iraq, could be willing to allow Hussein to serve a prison sentence there.
In a letter to the Swedish Ministry of Justice, Mr di Stefano wrote: "We take the view that for the benefit and security of not only our client, but also for the stability of Iraq, it would be in the best interests for our client to be transferred forthwith to detention in Sweden pending any trial.
"We believe that any trial should take place in Sweden, establishing a seat of the Iraqi Special Tribunal in Sweden in a similar manner that occurred in the Hague by the British and Libyan government. In the event of any detention post trial, for our client to serve such within the Swedish prison system."
The Iraqi Special Tribunal, which this week released pictures of Hussein being questioned by magistrates, had previously suggested that a trial could proceed within two months, though that is now considered unlikely. Jordanian lawyer Mohammad Rashdan, also representing the deposed president, has claimed it will take the defence team at least six months to review files in the case.
The tribunal has indicated that Hussein will face 14 charges for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. It is expected the prosecution will focus on the killings of Kurds in northern Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and the massacre of Shi'ites in southern Iraq in 1991 and 1999. Several of those charges are believed to carry the death penalty.
Mr di Stefano said he hopes to be granted access to Hussein, who is being held at a facility near Baghdad airport, within the next fortnight to take instructions on separate civil court matters.
PA