‘No proof’ Saddam beaten in US custody

AN investigative judge said yesterday that officials never saw evidence that Saddam Hussein was beaten in US custody, contradicting the ousted Iraqi leader’s claims that he was abused and “the marks are still there.”

US officials strongly denied Saddam’s allegations as “completely unfounded.” Saddam, in turn, denounced those denials as “lies.”

In a theatrical exchange becoming increasingly common at the trial, an assistant prosecutor asked to resign and the defence team threatened to walk out. Saddam also mocked President George W Bush’s claims that Iraq had chemical weapons.