Related: Saddam refuses to appear in court for trial
         Fourth session of Saddam trial resumes

    BAGHDAD, Dec.7 (Xinhuanet) -- The trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his seven aides resumed without Saddam in a court in central Baghdad on Wednesday after hours of delay due to Saddam's refusal to appear in court.

    The seat of Saddam on the dock was empty but his seven co-defendents were present. Saddam's defense team thanked the judges for resuming the trial without Saddam in court.

    Chief judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin called the first witness to testify. The witness, speaking behind a curtain, recounted his detention and experience in a secret prison after a life attempt on Saddam's life near a Shiite village in 1982.

    Altogether two prosecution witnesses are scheduled to testify during Wednesday's session.

    Earlier in the day, the trial was delayed because Saddam refused to appear in court and his defense lawyers held discussion with the judges to settle "procedural problems", according to court officials.

    At the end of Tuesday's court proceeding, Saddam vowed 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 shouted 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 resumed 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 thewitnesses' testimonies as lies.

    Saddam, his co-defendents and defense team have also impugned the legitimacy of the court formed under the US occupation.Enditem