Related: Fourth session of Saddam trial resumes

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who is on trial with seven co-defendents, refused to enter the courtroom for the resumption of the trial on Wednesday,court officials said.

    The officials said the court proceeding was delayed because Saddam refused to appear in the court and he was in discussion with the defense lawyers.

    At the end of Tuesday's proceeding, Saddam shouted that he would not return to the court, complaining that he had no fresh clothes and had been deprived of shower and exercise facilities. "I will not return. I will not come to an unjust court. Go to Hell," an angry Saddam declared at the court.

    Saddam and his seven top aides are charged with the killing of 148 Shiite Muslims in the village of Dujail, north of Baghdad, in 1982 after an attempt on the then president's life.

    The trial was scheduled to resume on Wednesday after a lengthy proceeding on Tuesday during which five witnesses testified against Saddam and his co-defendents.

    If convicted, Saddam might be executed.

    All the accused have pleaded not guilty and dismissed the witnesses' testimonies as lies. Enditem