While the defense attorneys boycotted what they called an unfair trial, Saddam’s half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan al-Tikriti refused his court-appointed attorney and insisted he be allowed to leave the courtroom.

Saddam and the other defendants are being tried for the murder of 148 Shi’ite men and teenagers after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982. Saddam will also be tried in August for the Kurdish genocide that occurred in the late 1980's. He is now being nourished though a tube and is receiving counseling to convince him to eat. Three of the other defendants also allegedly joined the hunger strike.

The trial has already been marred by the killing of three defense lawyers, and the resignation of the first chief judge protesting government interference.

On Monday Barzan argued with chief judge Raouf Abdel Rahman to adjourn the trial, while the head defense lawyer accused the U.S. military officials of force feeding their client to resume the proceedings. Rahman refused the request for adjournment.