BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein was ejected from his genocide trial Tuesday for the second consecutive day after he refused to heed the chief judge's calls to remain silent.

Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein testifies during his genocide trial inside the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad September 26, 2006. The judge in Saddam's genocide trial opened hearings on Tuesday with a stern lecture to Saddam to behave himself or be kicked out of the courtroom. [Reuters]

Saddam's removal came shortly after a stern warning from the chief judge, Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, who asked the deposed leader to behave or face removal from the court.

Before his ejection, the deposed Iraqi leader took out a piece of paper apparently to read a prepared statement.

But the judge interrupted, saying he would not allow him to read the statement "if it was the same letter I received from you."

Saddam ignored the call. The judge allowed him to read what seemed to be a long statement, but cut off microphones in the courtroom.