Saddam to start hunger strike - lawyers
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-12 18:14

BAGHDAD, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein and the seven co-defendants in his trial are to start a hunger strike on Monday, the former Iraqi president's defence team said on Sunday, citing sources inside the detention centre where they are being held.

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (C, front) addresses the court during a trial in Baghdad, December 6, 2005. [Reuters]

"Saddam and his followers will start a hunger strike from tomorrow, protesting the illegitimate procedures and bad treatment by the court," Khamis al-Aubeidi, a leading member of Saddam's defence team, told Reuters.

Saddam walked out of court on January 29 after a tough new judge took charge of his trial and has not returned since. He and his co-accused are charged with the killing of 148 men from the Shi'ite town of Dujail after a bid to assassinate Saddam there in 1982.

Prosecutors have since warned that Saddam may be forced to attend the next hearing, which starts on Monday.

The eight will refuse food from Monday in protest against "being forced to attend the trial while being prisoners of war and also over the illegitimacy of the court", Saddam's chief lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi, told Reuters in Amman.

He said sources inside the prison had leaked the information on the strike.