Thanks to Dorina Lisson for the heads-up on this report.
‘As an artist, I was obliged to attend the parties and functions of Uday Saddam Hussein in addition to the parties of his father (Saddam),’ That sounds exactly like the ‘I was only following orders’ excuse used by the Nazi soldiers charged with committing atrocities.
ASYLUM FLAGGED FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN’S STOOGE
A FAVOURITE musician of Saddam Hussein's, who wrote propaganda songs for the brutal dictator, has been recommended for asylum in Australia
By Padraic Murphy
Herald Sun
June 29, 2011
The man, who performed at the tyrant's drunken parties, won his case before the Refugees Review Tribunal.
He told the tribunal he would be assassinated by Americans or Iraq security if he were sent home, claims initially rejected by the Immigration Department.
He gave an impromptu concert to the tribunal last month to support his appeal.
The man, who arrived in Australia last August on an entertainment visa then applied for asylum, said other artists had been killed because of their association with Saddam and his goons.
"As an artist, I was obliged to attend the parties and functions of Uday Saddam Hussein in addition to the parties of his father (Saddam)," he told Australian authorities.
"Those evenings and functions became a room for sarcasm, derision and fun-making wherein we watch Saddam Hussein and his son, Uday, binge in saucy and extravagant parties."
Despite his claims, the man admitted to being a member of Saddam's notorious Baath party since 1979.
He became famous with the party's backing, appearing on state TV and performing for the country's elite.
Since Saddam was executed in 2006, the musician claims he has become a wanted man in Iraq.
A shift towards Islamic fundamentalism meant "people in Iraq ... think that art and music is a corrupt activity produced by devils".
Immigration officials noted the man had lived in the United Arab Emirates on and off since 1998.
Despite claiming he was the target of anti-Baathist hit squads, he returned to Iraq at least eight time since 2008.
Immigration officials rejected his application for a protection visa and said "there was no real chance of persecution" in Iraq.
The refugee tribunal also admitted it had some concerns about the man's claims, but said he did not endorse Saddam's regime and was "forced" to provide entertainment.
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