The trial of Saddam Hussein has been adjourned until January 24th, following two days of testimony from witnesses to a 1982 massacre in northern Iraq.
The judge agreed Thursday to halt proceedings to observe the upcoming Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj.
Earlier, the former Iraqi leader repeated allegations of torture and abuse while in U.S. custody -- which have been denied by U.S. officials. An Iraqi judge Raid Juhi said Saddam and seven co-defendants had never complained to officials about abuse or displayed signs of mistreatment.
The court also heard testimony Thursday from three witnesses who described torture and executions, and said they had been exiled to live in desert camps.
Saddam and his co-defendants are accused of ordering or carrying out the torture and massacre of more than 140 Shi'ite Muslims in Dujail, after a failed attempt on Saddam's life.