The charges relate to the killing of 140 men in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982, following a failed assassination attempt.

The deposed Iraqi leader cuts a belligerant figure in court, repeatedly clashing with the judge, refusing to follow procedure and questioning the tribunal's legitimacy.

The defence argue that the Dujail men were sentenced to death after a fair trial and that such an action was a legitimate response against people seeking to assassinate a head of state.

During the trial, three of Saddam's lawyers are assassinated, prompting a boycott of the court by their colleagues, while Saddam himself goes on hunger strike.

Critics of the trial argue that the court is not following legal standards by only requiring a conviction based on it being "satisfied" of Saddam's guilt rather than proving it beyond reasonable doubt, while there are also concerns that some prosecution witnesses appear to have been coached.

In August a second, separate trial opens relating to the 1987-88 anti-Kurdish offensive "Operation Anfal", in which more than 100,000 people are thought to have died.

Saddam refuses to enter a plea in this case and again questions the court's legitimacy.

On 5 November, the judge in the Dujail trial finds Saddam Hussein guilty and sentences him to death by hanging.