A noticeably calmer Saddam Hussein sat quietly in his defendant’s chair at the resumption of his trial today, two weeks after he called the court “unjust” and boycotted a session. When the judge refused to let him take a break to pray, the former leader closed his eyes and appeared to pray from his seat.

A quieter Saddam Hussein sat in his defendant’s chair at the resumption of his trial in Baghdad today, two weeks after he refused to attend the last session in a court he called “unjust”.

The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed this morning after a two-week break, and the former leader – who had refused to attend the last session – was in court.

Saddam Hussein was expected to show up when his Baghdad trial reconvenes today, two weeks after he boycotted the last session and vowed not to appear before an “unjust” court.

A woman testified today from behind a screen, her voice disguised but her weeping still apparent, that she was assaulted and tortured with beatings and electric shocks by Saddam Hussein’s agents.