Saddam's half-brother takes stand in trial

BAGHDAD - Saddam Hussein's former intelligence chief Barzan al-Tikriti, once one of the most feared men in Iraq, took the stand yesterday to testify in his own defence on charges of crimes against humanity.

Barzan, one of Saddam's half brothers, is on trial with the former Iraqi leader and six others for the killing of 148 people from the Shi'ite town of Dujail after an assassination attempt on Saddam in 1982.

Saddam was not in court as he waited his turn to testify.

- REUTERS