Saddam aides defy Iraqi tribunal (refuse to testify)

[cal04]

Two former aides to Saddam Hussein have refused to testify against the ousted Iraqi leader at his trial in Baghdad.
Former head of the presidential office Ahmed Khudayir and ex-intelligence chief Hassan al-Obeidi both said they had been brought against their will.

During another stormy session, Saddam Hussein said he too was forced to attend and shouted "Down with Bush".
The ex-leader and seven former aides are being tried in connection with the killing of 148 Shia villagers in 1982.

The defendants deny all the charges. Mr Khudayir and Mr Obeidi are the first aides to Saddam Hussein to testify at the trial.

'Unfit to testify'
The BBC's Jon Brain in Baghdad says the prosecution had been hoping they would confirm that the former president had ordered the massacre of the village of Dujail.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4709868.stm