PARIS, March 27 (UPI) -- A French lawyer whose client list includes some of recent history's most notorious figures said Saturday his latest case will be to defend Saddam Hussein.
Jacques Verges' clients have included convicted Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, Carlos the Jackal and former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.
Verges told the BBC he received a request to defend the ousted Iraqi leader in a letter from Hussein's nephew, Ali Barzan al-Takriti. Verges said he will also defend former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.
In the letter to Verges, Tikriti wrote: "In my capacity as nephew of President Saddam Hussein, I commission you officially via this letter to assure the defense of my uncle."
No official charges have yet to be made against Hussein, though it appears the dictator will face trial in Iraq.
The U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council in Baghdad is setting up a war crimes tribunal. The charges he could face may include genocide and crimes against humanity.
Saddam Hussein has been held at a secret Iraqi location since his capture in December.
