Trial takes break after Saddam no-show

THE trial of Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants was adjourned yesterday until December 21 after a truncated session which the ousted president refused to attend.

After hearing from two witnesses, Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin adjourned the proceedings and said the Baghdad court would convene again on December 21 following national elections late next week.

Saddam's lawyers said the deposed Iraqi leader failed to show up as a protest at what they termed mistreatment of him and his seven co-defendants in detention.