Some of the sharpest exchanges occurred with Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman, who replaced Judge Rizgar Amin in January 2006. Excerpts follow.
SADDAM AND JUDGE RAHMAN: 5 November 2006
[Chief Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman orders Saddam Hussein to stand to hear the verdict. Two bailiffs force the former Iraqi leader to stand, one twisting his arm.]
Chief Judge: The court has decided to sentence defendant Saddam Hussein al-Majid to death by hanging until he is dead...
Saddam Hussein, shouting over the judge: Long live the people. Long live the nation. Down with the traitors...
Chief Judge, hammering his gavel and raising his voice: ...crimes against humanity, and found guilty in accordance with articles... Iraq's High Tribunal...
Saddam Hussein, shouting over the judge's words: Down with the invaders. God is great. God is Great. God is great... To hell with your articles and clauses...
SADDAM AND JUDGE RAHMAN: 22 MAY 2006
Saddam Hussein, objecting to the expulsion of one of his lawyers: I'm Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq. I am above you and above your father.
Judge, angrily: You are a defendant now, not a president.
SADDAM AND JUDGE RAHMAN: 1 MARCH 2006
Judge, shutting off Saddam's microphone as he makes political speech: Respect yourself!
Saddam Hussein, shouting: You respect yourself!
Judge: You are a defendant in a major criminal case, concerning the killing of innocents. You have to respond to this charge.
Saddam Hussein: What about those who are dying in Baghdad? Are they not innocents? I am talking to the Iraqi people.
SADDAM AND JUDGE RAHMAN: 14 FEB 2006
Saddam Hussein, shouting as he enters court: Long live the mujahideen!.. I say to all Iraqis: Fight and liberate your country!... [later addressing the judge] Hit your own head with that gavel.
SADDAM AND JUDGE RAHMAN: 13 FEB 2006
Saddam Hussein, entering court: Down with Bush. Long live the nation... [addressing judge] Why have you brought us here by force? Your authority gives you the right to try a defendant in absentia. Are you trying to overcome your own smallness?
Judge: The law will be implemented.
Saddam Hussein, shouting: Degradation and shame upon you, Raouf.
SADDAM AND NEW PRESIDING JUDGE RAHMAN: 29 JAN 2006
Saddam Hussein, after being ordered to leave the court for speaking out of turn: I led you for 35 years and you order me out of the court?
Judge: I am the judge, you are the defendant. You have to obey me.
SADDAM AND JUDGE AMIN: TRIAL OPENS 19 OCT 2005
Judge Mr Saddam, we want your identity. Full name, please...
Saddam Hussein: First of all, who are you? What are you? I want to know who you are. Are you judges?.. I have been here in this building... from eight in the morning.
Judge: Please sit down, Mr Saddam. Later. We'll get down the identities of the others, and later we'll start with you.
Saddam Hussein: And from nine AM I've been dressed.
Judge: Well, now so you can sit down and relax, give your identity and make yourself comfortable.
Saddam Hussein: You know me... I do not tire.
Judge: These are official matters, we have to hear from you your identity. These are formalities, so please.
Saddam Hussein: I don't have anything against any of you. But adhering to the truth and respecting the will of the great Iraqi people in choosing me, I say: I do not respond to this so-called court, with all due respect to its people, and I retain my constitutional right as the president of Iraq.
Judge:These matters can be put off until later. This is not the place.
Saddam Hussein: Neither do I recognise the body that has designated and authorised you, nor the aggression. All that is built on a false basis is false.
[Saddam Hussein finally sits down and the judge reads out his name, calling him the "former president of Iraq"]
Saddam Hussein: I said I'm the president of Iraq... I did not say "deposed"...
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