Saddam refuses to plead at genocide trial

Saddam Hussein has gone on trial for what prosecutors described as a “barbarous” campaign against Iraqi Kurds in the late 1980s, which is alleged to have led to tens of thousands of deaths.

He and six others are accused of war crimes and/or genocide – the latter charge carries the death sentence.

The former Iraqi president refused to enter a plea, dismissing the US-sponsored tribunal as a “court of occupation” and declining to give his name.

A verdict is expected in his first trial – for the 1982 murder of 148 Shit’ite Muslims – in October.

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