Saddam Hussein and a co-defendant were ejected from their genocide trial following heated arguments with the chief judge Tuesday. Saddam was removed, then his former defense minister, Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai, was ejected for shouting at judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa for throwing out the former president.
According to the AP, the outburst started when Saddam refused to remain silent after repeated requests by the head of the five-member panel. "You are a defendant and I'm the judge," al-Khalifa said, telling Saddam to sit down. Saddam refused and continued talking, even though the judge shut off court microphones.
Saddam's six co-defendants then began shouting. "Shut up! No one may speak!" al-Khalifa shouted.
"The court decided to eject Saddam Hussein from the courtroom," al-Khalifa added.
Saddam left with a smile.
The other defendants stood up in protest and demanded they leave too, but the judge refused.
