Saddam to end court boycott, lawyer says News
Saddam to end court boycott, lawyer says

[JURIST] Defense lawyers for Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] said Tuesday that the former Iraqi ruler will be in court when his trial [JURIST news archive] resumes Wednesday. During proceedings earlier this month, Hussein boycotted a trial session [JURIST report] in protest over the conditions of his detention. The Iraqi High Criminal Court (formerly the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website]) continued without Hussein in the courtroom before adjourning until Dec. 21 [JURIST report]. One of Hussein's lawyers said Tuesday that Hussein will be in court "unless something unexpected happens" and prosecutors have indicated that they expect to call four or five witnesses to testify. Hussein and seven co-defendants [Reuters report] are charged with murder, torture, forced expulsions and illegal imprisonment stemming from a 1982 massacre in Dujail [JURIST report] and could face the death penalty if found guilty. Reuters has more.