Saddam Claims U.S. Soldiers Beat Him

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein claimed in an outburst at his Baghdad trial for torture and murder Wednesday that he had been beaten by U.S. soldiers.

Christopher Reid of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad rejected the allegation, telling CNN it was absolutely bogus.

Prosecutors also ridiculed his claim of torture, saying the former Iraqi leader was being held in an air-conditioned room when some in Baghdad had no electric power.

The first three witnesses, two of whom testified behind curtains to protect their identities, were from the town of Dujail, where six men tried to gun down Saddam in 1982.

Saddam and seven other men are on trial for retaliation against the town that resulted in 148 deaths.

Ali Haj Hussein al-Haydari told of captivity and torture, including the execution of family members. His brother was one of the six who tried to kill Saddam that day and was later executed, CNN reported.

The trial was postponed for two weeks on Dec. 7 when Saddam refused to appear, complaining of his living conditions, and denying the validity of the trial.