Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman on Wednesday ordered toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, out of the courtroom after a row between the two men.
It was the second time that Barzan has been expelled since the October 2005 start of the trial against Saddam and seven former associates on charges of crimes against humanity.
Barzan left the courtroom calmly when ordered by the judge, in contrast to his violent ouster in January. The expulsion came after a lengthy exchange with the judge.
”I have no complex against the Kurds, some of my best friends are Kurds,” Barzan said during a long speech.
”Stop referring to me as a Kurd,” retorted Abdel Rahman as he ordered him out. ”I am not a Kurd or an Arab, I am your judge today. It may be someone else who will judge you tomorrow, but I am an Iraqi, just as you are.
”He is taking advantage of the patience of this court. Every session he has poisoned words against the court,” said the judge.
”He should behave as a defendant,” the judge said to Barzan’s attorney. ”If he does this again, we will not allow him to enter the court … Every word he utters is like a poisoned knife directed against me.” — AFP
