THE defence presented witnesses yesterday in the trial of Saddam Hussein and former members of his regime, a day after a judge formally charged them with crimes against humanity.

Relatives of defendants in the trial of Saddam Hussein and former members of his regime took the stand in Baghdad today as the defence tried to knock down charges of crimes against humanity that carry a possible death penalty by hanging.

The defence presented witnesses today in the Baghdad trial of Saddam Hussein and former members of his regime, after the judge formally charged them with crimes against humanity that carry a possible death penalty.