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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: NickSE who wrote (38681)	4/12/2004 12:47:16 PM
From: NickSE	Respond to of 793964

Seven Iraqis with limbs amputated under Saddam prepare for prosthetic surgery by Juan A. Lozano, Associated Press, 4/10/2004 boston.com HOUSTON (AP) The punishment didn't stop for Laith Aqar when Saddam Hussein's government amputated his right hand in 1995 after he was accused of trading in foreign currency. Aqar was charged 25,000 dinars, or about $50, for the cost of the amputation. ''They made me sign papers that I would voluntarily restrain from attempting use of any prosthetic or trying to cover up the amputation,'' said Aqar, 42, a former jeweler. That punishment will begin to fade in the coming weeks in Houston, where Aqar and six other Iraqis whose hands were amputated will receive robotic replacements. The men gathered Saturday at the home of Dr. Joseph Agris, who will conduct a preliminary operation for the prosthetics and remove tattoos placed on their foreheads as punishment for dealing in foreign currency. Through an interpreter, Aqar and the other men said they were falsely accused, couldn't defend themselves in court and were sentenced within minutes of hearing their cases. After prison, the men said, their property was confiscated, they were intimidated by the government and their amputations and tattoos were highlighted. ''The fact that we survived until the fall of Saddam was a major miracle,'' said Nazar Judi, 41, also a former jeweler. The men will be in Houston for six weeks. On Monday, the men will undergo surgery to make sure the robotic arms will fit properly. The arms, valued at $50,000, are being donated, as are all the services. Once the arms are attached in a few weeks, the men will be able to curl their fingers, make a fist and perform other tasks. ''We are not only (correcting) a wrong, but offering an expression of human kindness,'' Agris said.