Baghdad, Iraq ? Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will likely face charges of premeditated murder, torture and forced expulsion and disappearances when he goes on trial next week for a 1982 massacre of Shiites, a court official said Thursday.

Saddam and seven other defendants are accused of killing 143 Shiites in the village of Dujail, north of Baghdad, after a failed assassination attempt against Saddam.

Prosecutors have not announced the exact charges, which are expected when the trial opens Wednesday. Investigating judge Raid Juhi told reporters in Baghdad that the charges would focus on the areas of “crimes of premeditated murder, forced expulsion of residents, torture and forced disappearances of individuals.”

Saddam could face the death penalty if convicted.

Juhi also reaffirmed that there would be no postponement of the trial’s start, which Saddam’s attorneys had sought to review documents they received Sept. 25.

“The Special Tribunal has enabled the representatives of the defense through all legal means to completely review all the evidence, documents and investigation papers,” he said.