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Saddam in court despite boycott Saddam in court despite boycott
(about 1 hour later)
Saddam Hussein's trial in Baghdad has resumed without defence lawyers, who announced a boycott on Sunday.Saddam Hussein's trial in Baghdad has resumed without defence lawyers, who announced a boycott on Sunday.
The former Iraqi leader was present, but chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi decided to stay away in protest at government interference.The former Iraqi leader was present, but chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi decided to stay away in protest at government interference.
Last week, the Iraqi government sacked Judge Abdullah al-Amiri after he said Saddam Hussein had not been a dictator. The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the trial resumed quietly and calmly, with an elderly Kurdish man giving evidence.
The new judge, appointed in his place, threw the former Iraqi leader out of court on Wednesday. Last Wednesday, new judge Muhammad Oreibi al-Khalifa threw the former Iraqi leader out of the court.
After refusing to sit down and be quiet, Saddam Hussein was told to leave the court room by Muhammad Oreibi al-Khalifa.
The entire team of defence lawyers then walked out as well, and the court continued its proceedings without them.The entire team of defence lawyers then walked out as well, and the court continued its proceedings without them.
Saddam Hussein is being tried on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He faces the death penalty if found guilty. Judge al-Khalifa was appointed after the Iraqi government sacked the previous judge, accusing him of bias in favour of Saddam Hussein.
The previous chief judge was replaced after the government accused him of bias towards Saddam Hussein. Special permission
Judge Oreibi al-Khalifa is a Shia Arab who served as deputy presiding judge under his predecessor. The judge provided court-appointed lawyers for the defendants for Monday's session.
Defence lawyers staying away from the trial have indicated that they could return to the courtroom if some of their demands are met, our correspondent says.
These include giving foreign lawyers the right to speak in court. They currently have to seek special permission to enter the courtroom.
Saddam Hussein is being tried on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the Anfal military campaign in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq in the late 1980s.
He faces the death penalty if found guilty.