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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