Saddam walks out of court to protest trial

Saddam Hussein walked out of court on Sunday to protest the proceedings of his trial shortly after his defence team stormed out, sources said.

Chaos erupted in the courtroom after the start of the trial of the former Iraqi leader and seven co-accused resumed with a new chief judge.

Saddam's former intelligence chief and co-accused, Barzan al-Tikriti, was ejected from the courtroom after he shouted abuses and refused to keep quiet.

Shortly after that, Saddam and his defence team walked out to protest the proceedings.

"I want to leave," said Saddam to the judge.

"Then leave," the judge replied.

Saddam and the co-accused are on trial for crimes against humanity, charged with killing over 148 people.

First Published: Jan 29, 2006 15:30 IST