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Saddam in court despite boycott Saddam thrown out of court again
(40 minutes later)
Saddam Hussein's trial in Baghdad has resumed without defence lawyers, who announced a boycott on Sunday. Saddam Hussein has been throw out of court for the second time in a row, as defence lawyers boycotted the trial.
The former Iraqi leader was present, but chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi decided to stay away in protest at government interference. Judge Muhammad Oreibi al-Khalifa ordered the former Iraqi leader to leave after refusing his request to be let out of his metal cage.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the trial resumed quietly and calmly, with an elderly Kurdish man giving evidence. Saddam Hussein was thrown out last Wednesday, prompting the boycott.
Last Wednesday, new judge Muhammad Oreibi al-Khalifa threw the former Iraqi leader out of the court. Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi and his team decided to stay away in protest at what he called mistakes by the judge and government interference.
The entire team of defence lawyers then walked out as well, and the court continued its proceedings without them.
Judge al-Khalifa was appointed after the Iraqi government sacked the previous judge, accusing him of bias in favour of Saddam Hussein.Judge al-Khalifa was appointed after the Iraqi government sacked the previous judge, accusing him of bias in favour of Saddam Hussein.
Special permissionSpecial permission
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the trial had resumed quietly and calmly, with an elderly Kurdish man giving evidence.
The judge provided court-appointed lawyers for the defendants for Monday's session.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.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.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.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.He faces the death penalty if found guilty.