Saddam's claims of abuse denied in court
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-23 07:04

Saddam and his defense lawyers have sought repeatedly to discredit the witnesses, arguing they have been coached and saying many were too young when the alleged atrocities happened. The witness whose father and uncles were never seen again, for example, was 8 in 1982, and a defense attorney got him to admit he hadn't been arrested and hadn't seen any dead bodies.

The defense contends witnesses have failed to directly link their clients to the charges. Several witness, who also are considered plaintiffs in the trial, have said they were lodging complaints against Saddam because as the president he was responsible for the behavior of security services.

In one of the heated exchanges that have become common at the trial, Ibrahim — Saddam's half brother — accused prosecutors of siding against the defendants to absolve themselves of their own background in Saddam's Baath Party. At one point, Ibrahim yelled, "Long live Baath!"

One of the prosecutors, meanwhile, asked the judge if he could resign, complaining that Ibrahim had insulted the prosecution during previous sessions. The judge denied the request.

The judge at one point told Ibrahim to speed up an answer, a request that prompted an angry argument, leading the defense to accuse a guard of making threatening gestures toward Ibrahim. Defense attorneys then said they would walk out if the guard did not leave, and the judge had the guard removed.

After the witnesses finished testifying, the judge adjourned the trial until Jan. 24.

He then held a closed session to hear from Ibrahim, who on Wednesday asked to address the court. The judge said Ibrahim claimed he had "secret and dangerous information," but the defendants comments Thursday were not released.

The courtroom theatrics and the lengthy diatribes launched by some defendants — especially Ibrahim and Saddam — have prompted some Iraqis to complain the trial is spiraling out of control at times and providing the defendants with a platform to air their political views.

Juhi, the investigative judge, defended the procedures, saying they have gone smoothly.

"The court is very patient and it has every right to hear everyone so that it can figure out all the facts," he said. "The street focuses on the negative aspects. Let's focus on the overall picture."