Saddam co-defendant says was beaten by guards

BAGHDAD, Oct 19 (Reuters) One of Saddam Hussein's former military commanders who is standing trial with him for crimes against humanity said today he was beaten by Iraqi court guards last week in the presence of US witnesses.

An Iraqi official denied the accusation.

Hussein Rasheed is one of five former commanders on trial with Saddam and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, for their role in the Anfal (Spoils of War) campaign that prosecutors say left 182,000 ethnic Kurds dead or missing and included attacks by the Iraqi army using chemical weapons.

In a stormy court session last week, Rasheed was ejected from the court along with Saddam after the toppled leader tried to make a speech. Saddam's ejection sparked angry complaints from his co-defendants, including Rasheed who punched one of the guards escorting him out.

In today's court hearing, Rasheed protested to the judge that he was assaulted by Iraqi guards on that day. ''I was beaten in the presence of the Americans,'' he said.

US advisers at the court declined to comment, referring questions to Iraqi officials.

Court spokesman Raed Juhi denied the allegation. ''The Iraqi police in charge of this are well trained in respecting human rights and no police officer has beaten up any of the defendants,'' Juhi told Reuters.

Rasheed also complained that the trial was rigged, saying: ''The court, prosecution and the Americans are our opponents ... we are confident that the verdict was issued in advance.'' International human rights groups have raised concerns about the possibility of a fair trial for Saddam, particularly since the Shi'ite-led government dismissed the chief judge last month, saying he had sacrificed his neutrality by stating the ousted leader was not a dictator.

The Iraqi High Criminal Court was set up by US forces but is now run by Iraqis with US advisers. Its first two cases have centred on crimes against Shi'ites and Kurds, oppressed under Saddam's Sunni-led rule but empowered after his fall.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who is backed by a powerful Shi'ite majority in parliament, said yesterday he hoped Saddam would be found guilt and executed soon.

After hearing testimony from two Kurdish witnesses today, the judge adjourned the trial until October 30, after the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramzan.

The judge told the defendants this would allow them time to consult with their own lawyers, who have been boycotting the trial to protest what they say is government interference.

Proceedings have continued with court-appointed lawyers.

A verdict is due as soon as November five in a separate trial, which dealt with killings in the Shi'ite village of Dujail in the 1980s. Saddam faces the maximum penalty of death.

Reuters PB GC1818