Why Did He Leave Iraq?

His concerns and comments might have more meaning if they were expressed from the streets of Bagdad than the safety of the streets of Winnipeg. I would question whether he could be as open with his opinions if Saddam was in power. The reason people like Hani al-Ubeady and I are able to express our opinion is because people are out there dying to protect that right.

Iraqi-Canadians struggle with Saddam verdict

Last Updated: Sunday, November 5, 2006 | 9:18 PM ET

CBC News

As the world watched deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein being sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, Iraqi-Canadians struggled to determine what it meant for the future of their homeland.

There are concerns the verdict, which was once hoped to serve as an end to a bloody period in Iraq's history, could push the embattled country into further division and sectarian violence between rival Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Hani al-Ubeady left Iraq in 1980 and has lived in Winnipeg for the past decade. He said he was disappointed with the verdict and believes Saddam's trial was unfair.

"When you go to a game, a soccer game, or any sport, and you know that the ref is not just and fair, from the beginning you know that you are losing, losing, no matter what," he told the CBC Sunday.

Al-Ubeady also said he was skeptical of the timing of the verdict with the U.S. midterm elections happening on Tuesday.

"It's because the nature of the trial, the implications of the trial, these are all factors that make a person like me be suspicious with every move that comes out of this trial," he said.

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