IRAQ: The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants for crimes against humanity was in disarray last night after a courtroom session in which Saddam's half-brother was dragged away by guards, the defence team walked out, and the former Iraqi dictator was ejected following a slanging match with the new chief judge, writes Michael Howard in Irbil
Once order was restored, with only half of the defendants and none of the defence team present, the court inside Baghdad's Green Zone heard evidence from three witnesses about an alleged massacre of about 140 people by Ba'ath party loyalists in Dujail in 1982 after an assassination attempt on Saddam. But their often harrowing testimonies were all but drowned out by the high drama of the morning.
Yesterday was only the eighth session since the trial began on October 19th. Since then two defence lawyers have been assassinated and a third has fled the country in fear. Three of the original five judges hearing the case have been replaced, including the chief judge Rizgar Amin, who resigned last week after criticism that he was too indulgent to the defendants.
Many Iraqis fear the trial will prove a national embarrassment. Amid violence and political division, defence lawyers and other critics also doubt whether a fair trial of the former Ba'athist regime leaders - seen by some as vital to the process of national reconciliation - is possible.
Former US attorney general Ramsey Clark, who is part of Saddam's defence team, last night described the court as "lawless". Another defence lawyer promised a boycott of the next session of the trial unless the chief judge apologised for expelling defendants and lawyers.
But the Iraqi chief prosecutor, Raed al-Juhi, said the trial was still on track and that discipline had now been established.
At the start of yesterday's session the new presiding judge, Raouf Abdel Rahman, made clear his no-nonsense approach. He said "political speeches" were forbidden, adding: "If any defendant crosses the lines, he will be taken out of the room and his trial will be carried out with his absence."
Barzan al-Tikriti, Saddam's half-brother, who has cancer, complained about his medical treatment, calling the court "the daughter of a whore". The judge told him to sit down and shut up and when Barzan refused to comply he was grabbed by two guards and hauled out of the courtroom. Saddam then took centre stage. "Down with the traitors. Down with America," he shouted as his defence lawyers joined in.
"Is this a street demonstration, are you lawyers?" Judge Abdel-Rahman shouted, asking one defence lawyer, Salih al-Armouti, a Jordanian: "Can you do this in your own courts in your country?"
"My country gives me my rights," replied Mr Armouti, who was expelled from court and threatened with prosecution for incitement. The rest of the defence team walked out in protest. New lawyers were appointed by the judge but rejected by Saddam who said he wanted to leave. "You do not leave, I allow you to leave when I want to," snapped the judge.
"For 35 years I was the one who decided on your rights," Saddam replied. "I am the judge and you are the defendant," the judge said, before he ordered Saddam out of the court. The trial was adjourned until later in the week.