INDEPTH: IRAQ The Iraqi Special Tribunal: Trying Saddam's regime CBC News Online | August 9, 2004
After the American-led coalition invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam's government, military officials issued a deck of cards, containing the names and faces of people they wanted arrested. The higher the card value, the more the officials wanted to arrest the person.
For instance, Saddam was the Ace of Spades. His two sons – Uday and Qusay – were Aces (in the deck) as well.
Several of those people were arrested and may face trials of their own. They include:
Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti
Saddam Hussein's personal secretary, national security adviser and senior bodyguard. A distant cousin of Saddam's, he was the Ace of Diamonds in the deck of most wanted Iraqis as listed by American military commanders. He controlled access to Saddam and had the authority to override government decisions.
Ali Hassan al-Majid in 2003 (AP file photo)
Ali Hassan al-Majid (Chemical Ali)
Al-Majid's opponents gave him the nickname "Chemical Ali" for his role in chemical weapons attacks on Kurds in northern Iraq in 1988. International observers estimate that as many as 100,000 Kurds were killed in chemical weapons attacks that year as Baghdad put down a revolt.
Al-Majid was Iraq's defence minister from 1991 to 1995.
A cousin to Saddam, al-Majid was the King of Spades in the Iraqi house of cards.
Barzan Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti
Saddam Hussein's half-brother. He was also the Special Republican Guard Commander and a director of the Mukhabarat, the notorious intelligence service, which was accused of torturing and murdering thousands of people.
Aziz Sajih Al-Numan
Baathist party regional command chairman responsible for West Baghdad; former governor of Karbala and Najaf and former governor of occupied Kuwait.
He rose from low-key provincial positions thanks to his reputed cruelty, brutal efficiency, and loyalty.
Muhammad Hamza al-Zubaydi
Former prime minister and deputy prime minister of Iraq. He led the suppression of the 1991 Shia uprisings after the Gulf War in which tens of thousands of people were killed. He was featured in Iraqi news video kicking and beating captured Shia dissidents. He also presided over the destruction of the southern marshes in 1992-98.
Tariq Aziz
Former deputy prime minister of Iraq. One of the best-known officials of Saddam's regime to North American audiences through his frequent appearances on television.
The only Christian in a leadership post under Saddam.
Gen. Kamal Mustafa Abdallah Sultan
Former secretary general of Iraq's Republican Guard and a member of Saddam's inner circle. His brother is married to Saddam's youngest daughter.
Sabir Abdul Aziz Al-Douri
Director of Iraqi military intelligence in the 1980s; former governor of Karbala and mayor of Baghdad.
Sultan Hashim Ahmad
Former Iraqi defence minister
Ahmad surrendered on Sept. 19, 2003, to U.S. officials in Mosul after nearly a week of negotiations. There were rumours that he co-operated with the U.S. military during the invasion of Iraq.
Taha Yasin Ramadan
Former Iraqi vice-president, known as Saddam's enforcer.
He's accused of playing a major role in the suppression of both Kurdish and Shia uprisings following the 1991 Gulf War.
Watban Ibrahim Hasan
Saddam Hussein's half-brother; former interior minister and presidential adviser. He's believed to have been involved in putting down the 1991 uprisings following the first Gulf War.
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