BAGHDAD, June 13: An Iraqi judge on Sunday questioned Saddam Hussein about alleged revenge killings in a Shia-dominated village after an attempt on his life, officials said. Silent film released of the interrogation — the first sight of the former president in a year — heightened the impression that the new government is keen to put him on trial for his life before an election due in December.

The killings of more than 140 men at Dujail in 1982 pale in comparison with some of the accusations against Saddam, who appeared relaxed, if sombre, bearded and wearing a dark jacket and white shirt, as on his last appearance in July.

Many Iraqis have never even heard of the incident.

But a government source has said that prosecutors believe they can build a strong test case for Saddam’s personal role at Dujail, possibly based on testimony from a half-brother and the former vice-president, accelerating the trial process.

Proving any direct responsibility for genocide and crimes against humanity in broader cases could take much longer — four years of proceedings against former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic at The Hague have yet to reach a conclusion.

Iraqi government officials have said they would like to put Saddam on trial in the next few months. But the Iraqi Special Tribunal, which released the statement on the interrogation on Monday, has insisted it will not be rushed on a timetable.—Reuters