Saddam’s trial resumes in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Saddam Hussein returned to court on
Monday and defense witnesses were expected to testify as his
trial resumed on charges of crimes against humanity in the
killing of 148 Shi’ites in the 1980s, a Reuters reporter said.

The trial in the Baghdad started in October.

The 148 Shi’ite men and youths were killed after an attempt
on Saddam’s life in 1982 in the town of Dujail, north of
Baghdad.

Saddam’s seven co-accused, including his half-brother
Barzan al-Tikriti, were not present in the court as the
proceedings started.

The court, presided by Judge Raouf Abdel Rahman, read the
charges against Saddam.

If found guilty, Saddam, 69, faces a death sentence.