Saddam lawyers boycott closi g stage of trial

BAGHDAD, July 10 (Reuters) Saddam Hussein's lawyers today said they would boycott the toppled leader's trial until a sweeping series of demands were met, following the killing of a third member of the defence team last month.

Saddam, who was also absent as the US-backed court heard final arguments in defence of two minor co-accused, said in a letter he had boycotted today's session to protest a ''malicious American desire'' to convict him through unlawful proceedings.

The handwritten letter, addressed to the chief judge, was signed by Saddam, who wrote his title as ''President of the Republic Commander-in-chief of the holy fighting Armed Forces''.

Raed Jouhi, the chief investigative judge and spokesman for the Iraqi High Tribunal, said the court would appoint lawyers for Saddam and the others and that proceedings would continue.

It was not clear if Saddam would attend tomorrow's session.

In a statement issued as the court was in session, the lawyers made six demands, including more security for them and their families and an investigation into the lawyer's killing, which they have blamed on pro-government Shi'ite militias.

US officials say American and Iraqi forces have repeatedly offered them security but that this has been rejected.

''The court will continue its sessions ensuring all legal guarantees for defendants either through the lawyers appointed by defendants or lawyers appointed by the court,'' Jouhi said.

It was not the first time Saddam's lawyers have boycotted the trial, which began in October. Saddam, his half-brother and ex-intelligence chief Barzan al-Tikriti and six former Baath party allies are on trial for crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shi'ites following an attempt on Saddam's life in 1982.

The defence team also criticised as ''striking interference in judicial affairs'' comments made last week by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in which he jokingly said he hoped Saddam would be executed soon.

Reiterating claims that sectarian violence and political interference from the Shi'ite-led government to see Saddam hanged make a fair trial impossible, the lawyers also included as a condition to end the boycott that the court ''abide by the standards of fair trials in accordance with international law''.

The prosecution has demanded the death penalty for Saddam and three of his former senior aides.

Once final statements have been made, a five-judge panel is expected to adjourn to consider a verdict. Officials close to the court say a verdict on Dujail could come in September.

A death sentence may be delayed by appeals and other trials Saddam is likely to face for other alleged crimes during his Sunni-dominated rule, most of them against the Shi'ites and Kurds now in power.

Saddam and his former top army commanders face a separate trial on Aug. 21 on genocide charges stemming from the killing of tens of thousands of Iraqi Kurds in a 1988 military operation to force them from their villages.

Seven defendants including Saddam's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, or ''Chemical Ali'', will stand trial in the new case.

REUTERS SY HS2058