Baghdad: The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants was adjourned until December 21 after two witnesses testified in a truncated session which the ousted president refused to attend.
Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin adjourned the proceedings and said the court will convene again on December 21 following national elections late next week.
Saddam made good on a promise made on Tuesday not to take part in what he called an "unjust" court.
The other defendants and Saddam's lawyers were present in the courtroom when Amin convened the session at 1730 hrs IST.
Amin said the court will inform Saddam about or brief him on the proceedings that took place during his absence.
The judge then told defence lawyers that "the court will meet with the defence lawyers after today's hearing to discuss the security of the lawyers," which has become a major issue after two members of the defence team were murdered.
Saddam and the others are charged in the deaths of more than 140 Shiite Muslims in retaliation for an assassination attempt against him in the town of Dujail in 1982. Saddam accused Iran of ordering the attempt on his life.
After the session convened, a male witness testified behind a beige curtain to conceal his identity. The witness, whose name was not released, said he was arrested after the assassination attempt and taken to Baath party headquarters, where he found people "screaming because of the beatings."
The witness said Saddam's half brother and co-defendant Barazan Ibrahim was present.
Comments
0 comment