Saddam trial resumes, defense witnesses to testify

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven
others accused of crimes against humanity resumed in Baghdad on
Tuesday, with more defense witnesses due to testify.

The former Iraqi leader, who was toppled in the 2003
U.S.-led invasion, was not present in the heavily-guarded
courtroom as proceedings began around 11 a.m. (0700 GMT).

Chief Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman said witnesses for three
other defendants in the case would take the stand during the
session, all former local officials of Saddam’s Baath party.

Saddam and his co-defendants are accused of killing and
torturing Shi’ite villagers after a failed assassination bid
against him in the town of Dujail in 1982.

“The court will listen to the witnesses of the three
defendants present. There are a number of witnesses and it may
take up this session or even another one,” Rahman told the
court.

Some of Saddam’s lawyers complained that he and some other
defendants had not been called for the session.

“We let you attend so you can respond to anything the
witnesses may say that affects your clients,” the judge
replied.

Saddam and the others, including his half-brother Barzan
al-Tikriti, a former intelligence chief, were formally charged
with crimes against humanity on Monday after a three-week
recess following the completion of the prosecution’s case.

An angry Saddam refused to enter a plea. The judge
dismissed his defense that he had immunity and was still
president. He entered a formal “not guilty” plea on Saddam’s
behalf.

The seven other defendants pleaded not guilty or, like
Saddam, were ruled to have so pleaded after contesting the
U.S.-backed court’s legitimacy.

Saddam, the judge said on Monday, signed orders approving
the executions in 1984 of 148 men from Dujail after a rapid
court process — even though some of them had already died
under torture and 32 were under 18 and so protected by Iraqi
law.

The defendants face hanging if convicted, but only after
appeals, likely to be held up by a dozen or so other trials for
Saddam.

Five defense witnesses testified on Monday for a
low-ranking Dujail Baathist accused of taking part in the
killings.

Defense witnesses for Saddam are not expected to take the
stand this week.