Saddam Hussein's chief attorney has said he would boycott Iraq's war crimes tribunal until a man he says attacked the former president during a hearing is brought to justice.
Khalil Dulaimi said his client, expected to stand trial as early as September, was dismissive of prosecutors and judges working for the US-backed Special Tribunal, calling them American puppets. He said Saddam does not fear death.
In an exclusive interview, Dulaimi announced a boycott of the tribunal, saying it had failed to protect Saddam from attack. US forces responsible for guarding Saddam have denied any such assault on the former president had taken place.
"As Saddam Hussein's lawyer and on behalf of all the defence team, we announce the boycott of the Iraqi Special Tribunal until they make a formal apology for the incident and the person who committed that disgraceful act is brought to justice," Dulaimi, sitting in law offices in Baghdad, told Reuters.
Two legal experts who follow the proceedings said it was not clear what impact the boycott would have on the trial. Officials from the special tribunal were not available for comment.
Dulaimi, the only lawyer for Saddam present in the room at the time of Thursday's hearing, said a man, whose name he gave as Tahseen and who he believed was a reserve investigative judge, had grabbed Saddam's arm and tried to assault him..
People intervened and broke up the scuffle, he said.
After the incident was reported, the US military, which is charge of Saddam's physical custody, said no such confrontation had taken place. The tribunal also denied it in a statement.
Some of Saddam's other lawyers had said he had exchanged blows with the man. But Dulaimi's account was far less dramatic.
Saddam, who has been charged with the killings of Shia Muslims in the village of Dujail in 1982, is awaiting trial at a US-run high-security camp on the outskirts of Baghdad.
Iraq's new Shia leaders, who took power in January elections that sidelined Sunnis who formed Saddam's power base, hope for a quick trial that will send him to the gallows.
An announcement of a trial date is expected soon.
Dulaimi said Saddam, who is accused of crimes against humanity during 24 years of iron-fisted rule, would accept his fate as long as he received a fair trial.
"He doesn't fear death. He wishes for a fair and just trial," said Dulaimi, 42. "But he doesn't fear death."