Saddam and aides boycott trial for second day running

BAGHDAD – Saddam Hussein and his lawyers again boycotted his trial on charges of crimes against humanity yesterday as a lawyer for a minor co-accused began summing up his case.

The former Iraqi leader’s half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti, his former vice president, Taha Yassin Ramadan, and former Revolutionary Court judge Awad Hamed al-Bander and their lawyers were also absent from the court. Saddam’s lawyers said on Monday they would boycott the toppled leader’s trial unless their personal security was improved and a probe launched into the killing of a third member of the defence team.US officials say they have repeatedly offered security to the defence lawyers and their families but that this has been rejected.Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi has blamed pro-government Shi’ite militias for the killing of his deputy, who was abducted from his Baghdad home last month.Saddam and seven co-accused are on trial for crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shi’ites following an attempt on Saddam’s life in the town of Dujail in 1982.A lawyer for Abdullah Kadhem Ruaid, a former official in Saddam’s ruling Baath party in Dujail, told the court yesterday that his client had been unjustly accused.Once final statements have been made, a five-judge panel is expected to adjourn to consider a verdict.Officials close to the court say a verdict on Dujail could come in September.- Nampa-ReutersSaddam’s lawyers said on Monday they would boycott the toppled leader’s trial unless their personal security was improved and a probe launched into the killing of a third member of the defence team.US officials say they have repeatedly offered security to the defence lawyers and their families but that this has been rejected.Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi has blamed pro-government Shi’ite militias for the killing of his deputy, who was abducted from his Baghdad home last month.Saddam and seven co-accused are on trial for crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shi’ites following an attempt on Saddam’s life in the town of Dujail in 1982.A lawyer for Abdullah Kadhem Ruaid, a former official in Saddam’s ruling Baath party in Dujail, told the court yesterday that his client had been unjustly accused.Once final statements have been made, a five-judge panel is expected to adjourn to consider a verdict.Officials close to the court say a verdict on Dujail could come in September.- Nampa-Reuters