Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants went on a hunger strike today in protest at the killing of an attorney on the defence team.
Hussein's senior lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi told journalists: "President Saddam and other members of his leadership went on a hunger strike today to protest the killing of Khamis al-Obeidi."
"They pledged not to end the strike until international protection is provided to the defense team," said al-Dulaimi, who was visiting Jordan.
Al-Obeidi was shot dead today after being abducted from his Baghdad home by men in police uniforms. His is the third member of the former Iraqi leader's defence team to be killed since the trial began eight months ago.
Al-Obeidi, who represented Saddam and his half brother Barzan Ibrahim, was kidnapped from his house in the morning, al-Dulaimi said.
His body was found on a street near the Shia neighborhood of Sadr City, Iraqi police Lt. Thaer Mahmoud said. Al-Dulaimi blamed the Interior Ministry for the killing. The Interior Ministry had no comment on the claim.
AP