Saddam Hussein Defense Team Wants Trial Moved Abroad

Saddam Hussein and some of the seven other defendants in court on 19 October (AFP) 7 November 2005 -- Defense lawyers for ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein are calling for his trial to be moved abroad to protect their lives after growing threats since the murder of a colleague.

A statement made by the lawyers calls for the transfer of the trial to another country because of what it says is the "grave danger" to their lives.

It says the defense team has received no word from the court or the government guaranteeing its safety since the murder of a defense lawyer after the opening day of Saddam Hussein and seven other defendants' trial on 19 October.

Hussein and the others are charged with crimes against humanity over the deaths of 148 people that followed a 1982 assassination attempt against the former president in the village of Al-Dujayl.

The trial has been adjourned until 28 November.

(Reuters)