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Defiant Saddam Hussein rejected charges against him in his first appearance before an Iraqi judge on Thursday, saying "this is a theater, the real criminal is Bush.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Saddam, who for the first time appeared in footage aired around the world since he was captured by US forces last December, mocked the hearing as "theatre" and refused to sign on the legal document confirming his understanding of the charges. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Alternating between listening and gesticulating to the judge, Saddam mocked the court as "theatre." "This is all theatre. The real criminal is Bush," he derided.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)