Hussein Lawyers Walk Out As Trial Resumes

Presiding Judge Rizgar Muhammad Amin (file photo) (epa) 5 December 2005 -- The trial in Baghdad of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and seven associates went into recess only minutes after resuming today, after the defense team walked out, and Hussein and the other defendants began shouting at the chief judge.

The lawyers, including former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, walked out after the judge refused to hear their complaints about the legitimacy of the trial immediately. Hussein stood up, declared the court was appointed by U.S. occupiers and shouted "Long live the Arab state."

Another defendant shouted that the authorities might as well execute them straight away.

Just before that, the prosecution had objected to the presence in the room of Clark, who is an international adviser to the defense team. But the judge allowed Clark to stay.

The trial started on 19 October.

(agencies/CNN)