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Fisk Outs Saddam Judge

Evening Standard – Newspaper exposes Saddam trial judge

The judge in charge of Saddam Hussein’s trial was in fear for his life today after his identity was revealed by a UK newspaper.

The Iraqi Special Tribunal had asked the media to protect his anonymity. But he was named by Robert Fisk, foreign correspondent of The Independent.

Downing Street warned that the judge now faced reprisals from Saddam loyalists. A Foreign Office source added: “Obviously this shows questionable judgment about an individual’s safety.” When TV footage was broadcast yesterday, censors made sure the judge was pictured only from behind.

Simon Kelner, editor of The Independent, defended his decision, saying: “This was not a British court, it was an Iraqi court. We don’t want to compromise the judge’s safety but the cameras showed side views of him and he was instantly recognised by many Iraqis.”

Amazing.

Arthur Chrenkoff and Damian Penny offer more warm thoughts of Fisk.

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About James Joyner
James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

  1. Mark Hasty says:

    Robert Fisk is one of the most dependable journalists on the planet.

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  2. Mark,

    Yeah, he’s dependable alright. You can count on him to exaggerate the situation when bombs go astray, to do anything he can to undermine the U.S. military and to castigate us when that same military doesn’t do things he considers admirable. The hell with him.

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  3. Mark Hasty says:

    Which is exactly what I meant. You can always count on Fisk to micturate on the cornflakes of freedom.

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  4. One Fine Jay says:

    Turkeys in the straw
    I’m not a big fan of anonymous judges. However, I understand why the judge in Saddam’s trial has to remain anonymous: it’s like receiving a death sentence. And no trial will ever move forward if every judge who gets his hands on it gets offed. So, i…

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  5. Say Anything says:

    Fisk Outs Judge
    For obvious reasons the identity of the judge presiding over the trial of Saddam Hussein has been kept a secret. Why allow the judge’s fear of post-trial retribution from lingering Saddam loyalists taint his ability to preside over a fair…

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  6. Wizbang says:

    A Special Place In Hell
    Robert Fisk is legendary for two things – the ability to weave tales that ignore reality (as the U.S. was taking Baghdad he was reporting that the U.S. troops were being repelled) and his crowning achievement – My Beating is…

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