The Iraqi government dismissed the report (of Saddam being hung) quoting that the trial was 'just and fair' The chief defence lawyer, Khalil al-Dulaimi, said that his team had been prevented from filling in the appeal papers as the Iraqi law said it must be done within one month of sentencing. Saddam has two weeks to lodge an appeal to save his skin but his lawyer says he is being prevented from doing so. He also said that the appeal would be automatic because it was a death sentence. Seven other co-offenders and Saddam all face charges of crimes against humanity which relate to the deaths of 148 people in the mostly shia town of Dujail.