Saddam trial resumes, defence walks out

After a 40-day adjournment to give counsel more time to prepare a defence for the former president and seven associates accused of crimes against humanity, the judge had granted a further delay last week to find replacements for defence lawyers who had been assassinated or fled Iraq in fear of their lives.

Saddam, tieless in a white shirt and dark suit, entered the court, which opened about an hour later than expected at just after 11 a.m., and greeted his co-defendants.

From the defence counsel bench, lead lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi began a motion questioning the court’s legitimacy.

Up to five witnesses were set to testify as the prosecution pushes ahead with a case criticised at home and abroad.

The trial, which opened on October 19, is held in the heavily fortified Green Zone government compound in central Baghdad, which once housed Saddam’s own presidential palace complex. —Reuters

No visa for body guard

SYDNEY: One of Saddam Hussein’s former bodyguards is living in Australia after initially being refused a visa, prompting criticism of the nation’s immigration system. PM John Howard said on Monday that Oday Adnan Al Tekriti arrived illegally by boat in 1999 but was denied a visa in September 2000 after he admitted to belonging to Saddam’s special security services.