AMMAN: The Iraqi lawyer defending Saddam Hussein said on Thursday he was threatened by three people who tried to board his plane as he left Baghdad following the adjournment of the ousted dictator’s trial.

The threats against Khalil Al Dulaimi added to security fears of Saddam’s defence team following the killing of two attorneys after the October opening of his trial on charges of crimes against humanity.

“I know the names of the three miserable men who threatened me. I know their names, I know them well but I will not give their names,” Dulaimi said, adding that the Iraqi airport authorities refused to allow them to board his plane.

Former US attorney-general Ramsey Clark, who is helping with the defence, confirmed Dulaimi’s account and also complained at the ‘chaotic’ nature of the trial of Saddam and seven former cohorts.

“There were threats even at the court. On the balcony there were three people making threats during the trial,” he said.—AFP