THE TRIAL OF SADDAM HUSSEIN AND SEVEN OTHERS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY RESUMED IN BAGHDAD ON MONDAY, WITH MORE DEFENCE WITNESSES EXPECTED TO TAKE THE STAND. THE EIGHT MEN ARE ACCUSED OF BLOODY REPRISALS IN THE TOWN OF DUJAIL NORTH OF BAGHDAD THAT FOLLOWED A FAILED ASSASSINATION BID AGAINST SADDAM THERE IN 1982. IF CONVICTED, THEY FACE POSSIBLE DEATH BY HANGING. DEFENCE WITNESSES, INITIALLY FOR SOME OF THE LESSER-KNOWN DEFENDANTS, STARTED TESTIFYING WHEN THE TRIAL RESUMED ON MAY 15 AFTER A THREE-WEEK RECESS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE PROSECUTION CASE. THE TRIAL BEGAN IN OCTOBER, REUTERS REPORTED.
