In the Shadow of Saddam

the long version

Shortly after becoming President of Iraq in 1979, Saddam Hussein met Mikhael Ramadan, brother-in-law of one of his senior officials. Ramadan resembled Saddam closely and after some minor plastic surgery he became the dictator's offical double. There were several attempts om Ramadan's life in the years that followed. He also made enemies within. Following the murder of his wife and two children, Ramadan became involved in a Kurdish resistance movement, bent on overthrowing Saddam. On a visit to Kuwait during the Gulf War he was wounded and captured by U.S. forces. While in hospital he became friendly with Sophie, an Iraqi-American army nurse. When an Iraqi unit attacked the camp and 'rescued' Ramadan, they took Sophie too, for a little sport along the way. Back in Baghdad they were imprisioned. In due course a Kurdish guerrilla force succeeded in freeing them, to be airlifted out of the country. They now live together in North America in fear of retribution.