Saddam Hussein has been thrown out of court for the second time in a week, as defence lawyers boycotted the trial.

Judge Muhammad Oreibi al-Khalifa ordered the former Iraqi leader to leave after refusing his request to be let out of his metal cage. Saddam Hussein was thrown out last Wednesday, prompting the boycott. Chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi and his team decided to stay away in protest at what he called mistakes by the judge and government interference. Judge al-Khalifa was appointed after the Iraqi government sacked the previous judge, accusing him of bias in favour of Saddam Hussein. The judge provided court-appointed lawyers for the defendants for yesterday’s session. Defence lawyers staying away from the trial have indicated that they could return to the courtroom if some of their demands are met, our correspondent says. These include giving foreign lawyers the right to speak in court. They currently have to seek special permission to enter the courtroom.

Saddam Hussein is being tried on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the Anfal military campaign in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq in the late 1980s. He faces the death penalty if found guilty.