Search Other Collections

Take me back to the Oral History landing page.


David Risley - War On Terror

David S. Risley is a long-time Assistant U.S. Attorney assigned to the Central District of Illinois office. In November 2005 he joined the Regime Crimes Liaison Office, an agency of the Department of Justice, working directly with the Iraqi High Tribunal. David worked on Saddam Hussein’s War Crimes trial for a period of nine months, specifically as an assistant investigator on crimes against the Marsh Arabs.

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview Session 01 (Audio)

Interview Session 02 (Audio)

Interview Session 03 (Audio)

Transcript

Videos



Photos

Caption
Typical Marsh Arab dwelling in southern Iraq.

Where:
Southern Iraq

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
From book The Marsh Arabs, 1964 by Wilfred Thesiger

Caption
Flat boat of the type used by Marsh Arabs.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Marsh Arabs in their natural habitat.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Water buffalo were a staple of the Marsh Arab economy.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Typical village in marsh before Saddam's liquidation campaign.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Aerial shot showing the impact of Saddam's drainage efforts.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
A marsh-Arab village is left high and dry.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Baroness Emma Nicholson, who fought for recognition of the marsh-Arabs' plight.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Photo provided to David Risley for his use

Caption
Restored marshes following the American occupation.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
More restored marshes.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Restored marshes.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Marsh Arab in typical apparel.

Where:

When:

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
A Marsh Arab woman reveals a baby she had hidden under her robe.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Typical Marsh Arab woman.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Map of the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/baghdad-green-zone.htm

Caption
Dave on a rooftop overlooking the Green Zone and 14th of July Bridge over the Tigris River.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Saddam's Presidential Palace in the Green Zone.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Larry Farrell

Caption
The Palace rotunda.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Larry Farrell

Caption
Palace ceiling, illustrating the opulence of Saddam's palace.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Larry Farrell

Caption
Abandoned statues of Saddam Hussein moved to temporary storage in the Green Zone.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
The parade ground in Green Zone, w/Crossed Sabers monument.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
Helmets of dead Iranians at base of Crossed Sabers monument.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Jonathan Tait-Harris

Caption
David during a helicopter ride over Baghdad.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
An upscale Baghdad neighborhood next to the Tigris.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
A typical Baghdad neighborhood. Note the satellite dishes.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
A typical Baghdad neighborhood.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Risley private collection

Caption
Dave Risley with Major Sean Mecham, Risley's Latter Day Saints group leader while in Baghdad.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
JD Greer (on the right) and the 'Doc' in the Green Zone. Greer later lost a hand to an explosively formed projectile.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Investigative Judge Mohammed Uraiby Al-chalifa with Dave Risley in Baghdad.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Risley in the courtroom where Saddam was tried in the Anfal case (Saddam's campaign against Kurds).

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
The Baghdad Courtroom from judges' perspective.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Courtroom in Baghdad where Saddam Hussein's war crimes trial occurred.

Where:
Bagdad

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo

Caption
Courtroom, a view from the bench.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator's photo



Social Links