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Saddam trial adjourned till July 24
Only three minor defendants were present to hear closing arguments from the defence.
The trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was adjourned on Tuesday until July 24 following closing defence arguments for four minor defendants.
The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven former aides on charges of crimes against humanity resumed earlier on Tuesday with only three minor defendants present to hear closing arguments from the defence.
The ousted Iraqi leader said in a letter to the court Monday that he was boycotting proceedings because he did not recognise the legitimacy of the court, charging that it was making a mockery of justice.
Other high-profile defendants, including Saddam's half brother Barzan al-Tikriti and former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan, were also not in court.
Saddam and the co-defendants are accused of ordering the killing of 148 Shiite villagers from Dujail following a botched assassination attempt there against the deposed leader in 1982.
Tuesday's hearing was expected to hear the final defense arguments for minor Baathist official Abdallah Khadem Ruweid, who is accused of helping security forces round up suspects in Dujail.
