Saddam takes the stand

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is testifying today at his mass-murder trial in Baghdad. He's charged with murdering, imprisoning and torturing Shiites during the 1980s. Hussein is wearing a black suit during today's testimony.

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is testifying today at his mass-murder trial in Baghdad.

He's charged with murdering, imprisoning and torturing Shiites during the 1980s.

Hussein is wearing a black suit during today's testimony.

After telling Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman that the trial is a "comedy" abd stating that "the great people of Iraq" had nothing to do with the recent bombing of the shrine in Samarra, the judge advised him he was not allowed to make political speeches in court.

"I am the head of state," Saddam told him.

The judge then closed the proceedings to the public.

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