By JPOST.COM STAFF
Saddam Hussein's genocide trial resumed Monday, one day after his defense lawyers announced they were boycotting the proceedings, citing alleged court violations.
Chief Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa presided over Monday's hearing, which resumed after a five-day break. Al-Khalifa replaced Abdullah al-Amiri last Wednesday after some Iraqi politicians accused him of allegedly favoring the defense.
Khalil al-Dulaimi, Saddam's chief lawyer, said late Sunday that he and other eight defense attorneys would boycott the trial "indefinitely" to protest al-Amiri's replacement and other alleged violations of judicial rules.
Al-Dulaimi also protested the court's refusal to hear non-Iraqi lawyers and its demand that foreign attorneys seek permission to enter the courtroom.