Iraqi doctor denies tribunal claims

An Iraqi doctor has denied committing crimes against humanity after he was accused of being "part of the machinery" of Saddam Hussein's torturous regime, a medical tribunal heard here Tuesday. Mohammed Al-Byati, is alleged to have carried out medical treatments on camp detainees in Iraq between December 1992 and March 1994, a fitness to practise panel held by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) heard. It is alleged that Dr Al-Byati visited camps and prisons and, whilst administering treatment, knew that some prisoners he treated had sustained injuries as a result of torture, and it was likely that the prisoners would be tortured again. It is also alleged that as a consequence of Dr Al-Byati's involvement, he was "complicit in acts of torture". After the allegations were read out Dr Al-Byati said: "I deny everything." The doctor, 47, who is representing himself but is only expected to appear at the hearing today, added: "I am completely innocent of these charges." Charles Garside lawyer for the General Medical Council (GMC), told the panel that Dr Al-Byati was born in Iraq and was the son of a colonel in the Iraqi army who was also a member of Saddam Hussein's Baath party. The panel was told that Dr Al-Byati left Iraq permanently in December 1995 when he went first to Jordan, then to Tunisia, Libya and Malta before settling in the UK in January 2000. He has since held various posts in UK hospitals, the panel heard. Garside said there was "no criticism" of the doctor's clinical performance in this country. He said Dr Al-Byati's work permit was due to run out on February 4, 2007 and that on February 27 he made an application to claim asylum. During this claim he told the UK Border Agency about his work in Iraq. Garside said: "What Dr Al-Byati said to the Border Agency in short was this: that he had qualified as a doctor in Iraq and thereafter had worked as a doctor at the headquarters of the Iraqi Intelligence Agency where horrific atrocities were committed, between December 1992 and March 1994." He told the Border Agency that he was involved in treating victims of torture and giving medical treatment to detainees. "He said he knew that the people he treated would be tortured again and he knew that they were Kurds and Shia Muslims. "At that time Saddam Hussein was carrying out atrocities against Shia Muslims and Kurds in Iraq." The doctor also told the Border Agency that he was required to certify the deaths of those who had been hanged, Garside alleged. Dr Al-Byati was "part of Saddam Hussein's machinery" which tortured groups, particularly Shia Muslims and Kurds, who Saddam Hussein believed were "enemies of the state". "On the face of the facts alleged Dr Al-Byati has committed crimes against humanity," Garside said.