in the Iraqi legislative election, December 2005 indicate that religious parties have done quite well, winning up 80% of the vote. Election officials are investigating more than 1,000 complaints about irregularities, 20 of them considered serious. Final results will not be released until early January. An insurgent group broadcasts a video over the Internet of what they claim is the death of American Ronald Allen Schulz. December 21 – The former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, claims in court that American officials tortured him. Part of his testimony is censored and the US strongly denies the accusations. December 22 – Tony Blair makes a surprise visit to Basra in Iraq, to address 4,000 British soldiers and discuss withdrawal. He states that "we can eventually draw down our own capability" once the Iraqi forces "build up their own strength". December 27 – The new right-wing government of Poland announces it will keep troops in Iraq until the end of 2006, longer than previously planned. A mass grave is discovered in the predominantly Shia city of Karbala south of Baghdad, Iraqi police said. December 29 – The Associated Press reports story of Farris Hassan, a young Iraqi-American teenager who travelled to Iraq without informing his parents and was picked up by the 101st Airborne. Notable deaths January 4 – Ali Al-Haidri, governor of Baghdad Governorate March 4 – Nicola Calipari, Italian secret agent See also Iraq War References External links Years of the 21st century in Iraq