The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed today without the ousted Iraqi leader, who has been receiving medical attention for his hunger strike.
Defence lawyers boycotted today's session in protest against what they have said was the court's refusal to meet their demands for a fair trial.
Adding to the chaos of the trial, which is approaching its conclusion, Saddam's half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan al-Tikriti said he refused his court-appointed attorney and demanded he be allowed to leave the chamber.
The former Iraqi president was being fed through a tube yesterday after 16 days on hunger strike. The US military said his condition was not critical.
The 69-year-old ex-leader has been drinking coffee and liquid nourishment and receiving psychological counselling to try to persuade him to eat, the US military said.
Saddam and his seven co-accused are on trial for the killing of 148 Shia men and teenagers after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982. They could face hanging if found guilty.
He is also awaiting trial in August for genocide against the Kurds in the late 1980s under the so-called Anfal campaign.
The Dujail trial, which US and Iraqi officials had hoped would project a new image of democracy in postwar Iraq, has been marred by the killing of three defence lawyers.
Saddam and Barzan have often launched tirades in the chamber in a trial that saw the resignation of the first chief judge in protest against what he called government interference.