The chief prosecutor in Saddam Hussein's genocide trial against the Kurds today demanded the presiding judge step down, accusing him of being biased toward the deposed leader and his co-defendants.
"You allowed this court to become a political podium for the defendants," roared the prosecutor, Munqith al-Faroon, as judge Abdullah al-Amiri listened.
Mr Al-Faroon alleged that al-Amiri was giving Saddam the time to make "political" statements that were irrelevant to proceedings.
"For instance yesterday, instead of taking legal action (against Saddam), you asked his permission to talk," Mr al-Faroon said.
"The action of the court leans toward the defendants," the prosecutor alleged.
The trial of Saddam Hussein, facing charges of genocide, and six co-defendants resumed today in a central Baghdad courtroom.
The Saddam (69) his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali", and five other former commanders also face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their role in the 1988 Anfal campaign (or Spoils of War) that prosecutors said left 182,000 ethnic Kurds dead or missing.