Saddam lawyers stage walkout in protest over replacement judge

SADDAM HUSSEIN’S lawyers walked out of his trial yesterday to protest against the replacement of the chief judge, who had been accused of favouring the defence.

The deposed leader also protested and was ordered to leave the courtroom.

Defence lawyers questioned the impartiality of the trial when the session began under Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa in place of Abdullah al-Amiri, who was removed after he was accused of being too soft on the former Iraqi leader.