THREE of Saddam Hussein’s co-defendants testified for the first time yesterday, denying any role in the deaths of Shi’ites in the 1980s as the trial of the former Iraqi leader entered a new phase.

Three of Saddam Hussein’s co-defendants testified for the first time today, denying any role in the deaths and arrests of Shiites in the 1980s, as the trial of the former Iraqi leader entered a new phase.