JURIST - Paper Chase: Saddam lawyers threaten to boycott trial

[JURIST] Lawyers for Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] and his co-defendants announced Saturday that they would boycott their trial unless the court was moved outside of Iraq for their own safety. The statement comes after Saadoun Sughaiyer al-Janabi, a defense lawyer accused Saddam chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bandar, was kidnapped and murdered [JURIST report] late last week. The defense team has called for increased security and a full investigation into al-Janabi's murder, and has said that they hold the Iraqi government responsible for the killing. Ahmad Chalabi, Iraq's deputy prime minister, reiterated the government's earlier statement that the trial should only take place in Iraq. The Times of London has more.

2:15 PM ET - The Iraqi Bar Association Sunday urged Iraqi lawyers not to work with the court trying Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants until authorities solve the al-Janabi killing. Association members also passed a resolution calling for a one-day strike Wednesday to protest the killing. Reuters has more.

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