Witness: Saddam 'victims' alive

Saddam Hussein denies the charges against him

A witness in the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has said at least 23 of the 148 Shia villagers said to have been executed are in fact alive.

Saddam and seven co-defendants are on trial over the deaths of 148 men and teenagers after a failed attempt on Saddam's life in Dujail in 1982.

"The prosecutor said they were executed but I am telling you I ate with them some time ago," said the witness.

The defendants have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The anonymous witness said he was a teenager in Dujail in 1982 when the assassination attempt led to what the prosecution has termed a massive crackdown on the village.

"Around 23 of those who were mentioned among the 148 are still alive, and I know most of them," the witness said from behind a curtain to protect his identity.

He suggested the survivors fled abroad after the attempt on Saddam's life, but returned after he was overthrown in 2003.

He said he could make a list of their names.

"I've eaten with them, I've met them... I can take the chief prosecutor to Dujail and have lunch with them," he said.

Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman ordered the claim be investigated.

Judge's complaint

Meanwhile, one of the defence lawyers told the court one of their witnesses had been killed a few days ago, but did not elaborate.

During the day's proceedings, the judge demanded that the defence limit the number of witnesses it plans to call.

"The key is not the number of witnesses, but the quality of their testimony," he said.

"That's in your interest. If you come with 100 witnesses but they aren't effective for your defence... the court won't take it," he said.

He said the lawyers had been presenting longer lists of witnesses on a daily basis since they opened the defence case earlier this month.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.