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Saddam thrown out for third time Saddam thrown out for third time
(20 minutes later)
Saddam Hussein has been ejected from his trial in Baghdad for the third time in a week after arguing with the judge.Saddam Hussein has been ejected from his trial in Baghdad for the third time in a week after arguing with the judge.
His removal came shortly after Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa gave him a stern warning to behave himself.His removal came shortly after Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa gave him a stern warning to behave himself.
The defence team representing Saddam Hussein and his six co-defendants are boycotting the trial in protest at what they say is government interference.The defence team representing Saddam Hussein and his six co-defendants are boycotting the trial in protest at what they say is government interference.
The seven are accused of crimes against humanity in a 1980s offensive against the Kurds, and face the death penalty.The seven are accused of crimes against humanity in a 1980s offensive against the Kurds, and face the death penalty.
Saddam Hussein and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali", are also accused of genocide.Saddam Hussein and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali", are also accused of genocide.
Tens of thousands of people are known to have died in the Anfal military campaign.Tens of thousands of people are known to have died in the Anfal military campaign.
'Rights and obligations''Rights and obligations'
Saddam Hussein was also thrown out of the court on Monday after complaining about being confined in a metal pen where the defendants sit. The former Iraqi leader was ejected after repeatedly refusing to be quiet in court.
"You are a defendant and I'm a judge," said Chief Judge al-Khalifa in response to his outbursts.
As co-defendants began to protest, he continued: "Shut up, no-one talk ... the court decided to eject Saddam Hussein from court."
Co-defendant and former Iraqi defence minister Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai was also removed, the Associated Press news agency reported.
By disrespecting the court, you are only damaging your cause Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-KhalifaBy disrespecting the court, you are only damaging your cause Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa
Chief Judge al-Khalifa opened the proceedings on Tuesday with a stern lecture to the former Iraqi leader. The judge opened the proceedings with a stern lecture to the former Iraqi leader.
"You are a defendant here. You have rights and obligations," he said."You are a defendant here. You have rights and obligations," he said.
"You can defend yourself, question witnesses ... and I am ready to allow you, but this is a court, not a political arena."You can defend yourself, question witnesses ... and I am ready to allow you, but this is a court, not a political arena.
"By disrespecting the court, you are only damaging your cause.""By disrespecting the court, you are only damaging your cause."
Saddam Hussein responded by reading out a long statement from a piece of paper, but courtroom microphones were cut off.Saddam Hussein responded by reading out a long statement from a piece of paper, but courtroom microphones were cut off.
After repeatedly refusing to be quiet, he was ejected again. Protest over judge
Defence lawyers walked out of the trial last Wednesday following the removal of the previous chief judge, Abdullah al-Amiri, who was replaced the previous day following accusations of bias towards the former president. Saddam Hussein was also thrown out of the court on Monday after complaining about being confined in a metal pen where the defendants sit.
They vowed not to return until the government stopped "interfering" in the trial. Defence lawyers walked out of the trial last Wednesday following the removal of the previous chief judge, Abdullah al-Amiri. The chief defendant was also thrown out on this occasion.
Judge al-Amiri was replaced the previous day following accusations of bias towards the former president.
The lawyers vowed not to return until the government stopped "interfering" in the trial.
Court-appointed lawyers replaced the defence team at the trial when it resumed on Monday.Court-appointed lawyers replaced the defence team at the trial when it resumed on Monday.