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Kurds demand damages of Dutchman charged
with aiding Iraq genocide
6.12.2005
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THE HAGUE, Dec 5
(AFP) - 16h11 - Fifteen Kurds from Iraq and Iran on
Monday demanded damages from Dutch chemicals trader
Frans van Anraat who is on trial here on genocide
charges for supplying ingredients used by Saddam
Hussein in nerve gas attacks on Kurdish towns in the
1980s.
The victims, who have joined the criminal trial as
civil parties, asked for damages in the symbolic
amount of 680 euros (798 dollars) each.
"This amount is not in proportion with what the
victims suffered and should be considered as
symbolic, but it is very important," said Liesbeth
Zegveld, a lawyer for the victims.
"The victims present today in this court suffered
injuries, they were affected and want
compensation... their injuries are a direct
consequence of the atrocities committed by the
regime of Saddam Hussein and can be considered
collateral damage," she told the court.
The Dutch court in The Hague is also expected Monday
to hear statements from the victims about how the
attacks affected their lives
Van Anraat, 63, is accused of aiding genocide and
war crimes for supplying key ingredients for the
production of nerve gas to Iraq between 1984 and
1988.
Prosecutors say nerve gas produced with the
chemicals van Anraat sold to Iraq were used in
several massacres of Kurds in Iran and Iraq.
He is the first person to appear in court on
genocide charges over the 1988 poison gas attacks on
the Kurdish town of Halabja in northern Iraq. |
Frans Van Anraat
Photo: Internet
Former dictator Saddam Hussein
Photo : AFP |
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The massacre, which killed more than 5,000 people in
a single day, also features among the preliminary
charges against the former Iraqi dictator, who is
currently on trial in Baghdad.
Van Anraat has admitted to selling the chemical
components to Iraq, but maintains that he was not
aware of the use to which they were put.
The trial is in its final week, with a verdict
expected on December 23.
AFP
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