Saddam Hussein's trial fell into chaos after its resumption Sunday, as the former Iraqi president was removed after shouting "Down with the traitors!" and demanded to leave.
A co-defendant was dragged out and a defense lawyer was also ejected, the AP reported.
After the defense lawyer was removed, the entire defense team left as the new chief judge in the trial, Raouf Abdel-Rahman shouted after them, "Any lawyer who walks out will not be allowed back into this courtroom."
Abdel-Rahman appointed four defense lawyers, but two other defendants, Taha Yassin Ramadan and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, declared they did not agree with the appointments and demanded to walk out. They were escorted out, and the proceedings resumed, with the court hearing an anonymous female prosecution witness.
The chaos started when Saddam's co-defendant Barzan Ibrahim stood and asked to address the court. Abdel-Rahman, who had already shouted at one defense lawyer for interrupting, told him to get to the point. Ibrahim called the court "the daughter of a whore."
At this point, after about 15 minutes of transmission, the delayed television feed showing the proceedings was cut off.
The judge ordered Barzan to sit down, shouting, "One more word and I'm throwing you out." When Ibrahim said he won't sit, two guards grabbed him by the arms and after some pushing and shoving, dragged him out of the court.
As they scuffled, Saddam stood and shouted, "Down with the traitors. Down with America!" Defense lawyers started shouting as well. "Is this a street demonstration, are you lawyers?" Abdel-Rahman barked at them.
The judge turned to defense lawyer, Salih al-Armouti, a Jordanian who recently joined the team, and askd, "Can you do this in your own courts in your country?" "My country gives me my rights," al-Arnouti answered.
Abdel-Rahman ordered guards to escort al-Arnouti out of the court, saying, "You have incited your clients and we will start criminal proceedings against you." When al-Arnouti was removed, the rest of the defense team left in protest.
Saddam then stood and said he wanted to leave the court. "You do not leave, I allow you to leave when I want to," Abdel-Rahman said. "I was the president for 35 years," Saddam shouted back.
"I am the judge and you the defendant," the judge said. Two guards pushed Saddam by his shoulders back into his chair, but then the judge ordered them to lead him out of the room.
After 4 1/2 hours, the trial was adjourned until Wednesday, though Abdel-Rahman said if that day turns out to be a public holiday, it will be resumed Thursday. The Islamic new year is approaching, but its exact date depends on the sighting of a new moon to start the lunar month.
