Saddam Judge: No More Defense Witnesses

Saddam Hussein testifies during his trial in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Saddam and seven co-defendants are on trial for torture, illegal arrests and the killing of nearly 150 people from Dujail after a 1982 assassination attempt on Saddam in the town. (AP Photo/Jacob Silberberg, Pool) (Jacob Silberberg - AP)

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The chief judge declared an end to hearing defense witnesses in Saddam Hussein's trial Tuesday and said the prosecution will present its closing argument next week.

The declaration came despite complaints by the defense team that it has not had the freedom to properly present its case and that many of its motions were not ruled on by chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman in the nearly eight-month-old trial.

"For your client alone, you've presented 26 witnesses. If that's not enough to present your case, then 100 won't work," Abdel-Rahman told defense lawyer Khamis al-Obeidi, who insisted he still had "effective and useful" witnesses to call.

"I've finished hearing witnesses," Abdel-Rahman said. "We have heard your witnesses, we've listened to every word. God willing, it will all end fine."

"God willing," al-Obeidi said sullenly.

Abdel-Rahman adjourned the trial until Monday, when he said the prosecution would present its closing arguments. He said the defense would give its final statement July 10.

Presumably after that, the five-judge panel would adjourn to consider the fate of Saddam and seven former members of his regime. They could face execution by hanging if convicted.

One of Saddam's top co-defendants, Barzan Ibrahim, was absent after being thrown out of the court the day before for arguing with Abdel-Rahman. The judge said Tuesday that Ibrahim was being kept out "for his violations against the order of the court."

Abdel-Rahman scolded the defense team, telling lawyers to stop what he called "political speeches."

"This is the last session to hear the testimony of defense witnesses," he said. "We don't want speeches ... So chose one _ speeches or hearing witnesses."

Saddam and seven former members of his regime are charged with of crimes against humanity for a crackdown against Shiites in the town of Dujail, which was launched after a 1982 assassination attempt against the then-Iraqi leader. They are accused of illegally arresting hundreds of Shiites _ including women and children _ torturing some to death and killing 148 people who were sentenced to death in the attack on Saddam.

The court Tuesday heard a quick series of defense witnesses, including three former bodyguards of Saddam who were with him on the day of the shooting attack on his motorcade in Dujail. The witnesses testified anonymously from behind a curtain to protect them from reprisals.