Saddam lawyers threaten boycott
The chief lawyer for Saddam Hussein has said the former Iraqi leader`s defence team will cease dealings with the court trying him for crimes against humanity.
The announcement came after the killing in Baghdad of a second member of the defence team acting for Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants. Khalil al-Dulaimi said that defence lawyers were unable work when their safety was threatened. He also said defense witnesses were too frightened to come forward.
"The defense committee has decided to consider the 28 November date [for the next hearing] cancelled and illegitimate," Mr. Dulaimi told Reuters.
Mr. Dulaimi also told reporters that he blamed US-led forces in Iraq for the killings. "The occupation forces are responsible for this criminal incident, and they bear the responsibility of preserving the lives of the people regardless of their identity." He and his team have been urged to accept protection from the state, but so far they have refused.
bbc news
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