Dutch Businessman Accused of Selling Chemical Precursors to Iraq Appears in Rotterdam Court

A Dutch businessman appeared in a Rotterdam court today in connection with allegations that he sold chemical weapons precursors to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s regime, Reuters reported (see GSN, Feb. 4).

“It was known since the mid-1980s that the Iraqi government was using poison gas in the war against Iran and against its own population,” prosecutor Fred Teeven said at today’s pretrial hearing.

Frans van Anraat is accused of supplying Iraq with thousands of tons of chemicals used to make mustard agent, which the former Iraqi regime used in the 1980-1988 war with Iran and against the Kurds of Halabja in 1988.

Van Anraat could face life in prison if convicted of complicity in genocide and war crimes. His trial is expected to begin later this year, according to Reuters (Paul Gallagher, Reuters/Washington Post, March 18).

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