Mass graves with victims of 1991 Shiite uprising found in Iraq

Saddam and seven co-defendants are currently on trial for the killings of more than 140 Shiites following a 1982 assassination attempt against him in the town of Dujail - the first of what Iraqi authorities say could be up to a dozen proceedings. Saddam could face death by hanging if convicted in the Dujail case.

Photo: Mass graves with victims of 1991 Shiite uprising found in Iraq

Mass graves with victims of 1991 Shiite uprising found in Iraq

He would not provide names, except to say that Saddam and his cousin, Ali Hassan Majid, or "Chemical Ali" had been questioned by the investigation team, the AP reports.

Meanwhile, forensics experts and archaeologists are painstakingly searching for remains to provide direct evidence to the Iraqi High Tribunal, which is overseeing the cases against Saddam.

He said the killings were carried out in desert areas where those who carried out the killings could throw the victims into shallow embankments or simply shoot them as they were standing inside.