Salem Chalabi told reporters that trials would begin early next year, and that judges would receive “files” on the suspects at the end of this year.
“We will put 100 people … including Saddam Hussein, on trial,” he said. The suspects, he added, “will be delivered to us by the coalition before the transfer of power.”
US officials, who are holding Saddam in an undisclosed location, have said they will turn him over to the tribunal, set up to try him and other leaders of his former government. In April, that tribunal appointed judges and prosecutors.
No charges have yet been filed, but human rights groups have said the tribunal expects to try leaders for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The US estimates that Saddam’s government killed at least 300,000 Iraqis during its rule. Some human rights groups say the number is closer to 1 million.
