Date:13/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/13/stories/2006031303421500.htm

International

Saddam trial resumes

BAGHDAD: Three of Saddam Hussein's co-defendants testified for the first time on Sunday, denying any role in the deaths and arrests of Shias in the 1980s, as the trial of the former Iraqi leader entered a new phase.

Mizhar Abullah Ruwayyid, his father Abdullah Ruwayyid and Ali Daih Ali — former officials in Mr. Hussein's ruling Ba'ath Party — stood one-by-one to be directly questioned by the chief judge and prosecutors about the crackdown launched against the Shia town of Dujail after a 1982 assassination attempt against Mr. Hussein.

After hearing their testimony for about four hours, chief judhe Raouf Abdel-Rahman adjourned the trial until Monday. — AP