Saddam Hussein listens during his trial to the prosecution giving his closing arguments in Baghdad. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

    BAGHDAD, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The chief prosecutor of Saddam Hussein trial asked the court on Monday to apply death penalty on Saddam for his role in the Dujail case.

    Chief prosecutor Jaafaral-Musawi also asked to apply the utmost punishment for Saddam's half brother, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikritiand Saddam's former vice president Taha Tassin Ramadan.

    "We demand the maximum punishment (death penalty) for Saddam, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and Taha Yassin Ramadan," Musawi said after making his argument to the court.

    Musawi accused Saddam, Ramadan and Barzan and four members of Saddam's Baath party of "spreading corruption on earth" and oppression "where not even trees escape."

    The chief prosecutor also in his closing statements asked for lenient sentences for three of Saddam's Baath officials¡ªAbdullah Kadhem Ruweid, his son Mezher Abdullah and Ali Daiyh Ali.

    He also asked for charges against one of Saddam's co-defendants, Mohammed Azzawi, who is also a local Baath party member, to be dropped.

    Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman then adjourned the trial until July 10 when the defense team is scheduled to submit their closing statements.

    Saddam and his seven aides are charged with crimes against humanity including the killing of 148 Shiites in Iraq's northern village of Dujail after a failed assassination attempt on Saddam's life there in 1982. Enditem