Special Report: Saddam trial resumes in Baghdad court

    Special Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

    Baghdad, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants over alleged Dujail massacre resumed in Baghdad on Monday.

    The first defense witness is expected to testify for Awad al-Bandar, head of the revolutionary court in the former regime, who is standing trial for convicting and sentencing 148 Dujail villagers to death.

    Last Wednesday, former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Tareq Aziz, a high profile witness, showed up in court in defense of Saddam.

    "The president is not guilty, nor are any other officials in the government, of punishing those who tried to assassinate the head of state," Aziz said.

    Saddam and his seven co-defendants are indicted for crimes against humanity including the killing of 148 Shiite men in the northern Iraqi town of Dujail after Saddam survived an assassination attempt in 1982.

    If convicted, Saddam and his aides might face death penalty. Enditem