Oct 17 (Reuters) - Following is a chronology of events surrounding the trials of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein: Oct. 19, 2005 - Saddam charged with crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shi'ite men after a 1982 assassination attempt against him in the town of Dujail. Pleads not guilty. Oct. 20 - Saadoun Janabi, lawyer for former judge Awad al-Bander, one of Saddam's seven co-defendants, is seized from his office and killed. Dec. 7 - Saddam stays away from hearing after telling tribunal to "go to hell" the day before. March 1, 2006 - Saddam acknowledges he ordered trials that led to execution of dozens of Shi'ites in the 1980s but says he acted within the law. "Where is the crime?" he asks. May 15 - Saddam refuses to enter a plea after he is formally charged with ordering the killing and torture of Shi'ite villagers. He says he is still president. June 19 - In closing statements, Dujail prosecutors ask judge for death sentences for Saddam and three of co-accused. June 21 - Gunmen kidnap and kill Khamis al-Obaidi, the number two lawyer on Saddam's defence team. Aug. 21 - Saddam's second trial, on charges of war crimes against Iraqi Kurds, begins. He refuses to enter a plea. On trial with Saddam are six other defendants including Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali". -- Saddam and Majeed face the additional, graver charge of genocide. All the main charges carry the death penalty. Sept. 19 - Mohammed al-Ureybi is named to take over the court after the government sacks chief judge Abdullah al-Amiri for saying on Sept. 14 that Saddam was not a dictator. Sept. 20 - Ureybi ejects Saddam from the courtroom for refusing to sit. Defence lawyers storm out in protest against the previous judge's sacking. Sept. 25 - Trial resumes, Saddam is expelled when he asks to be allowed to leave the pen where defendants sit. -- Eight court-appointed lawyers stand in for the defence team who continue to boycott the proceedings. Sept. 26 - Saddam is expelled again. Sept. 29 - Gunmen kill a brother-in-law of chief judge Ureybi. Oct. 9 - Genocide trial resumes. Saddam and co-defendants attend but their defence team continues to boycott the hearings. Oct. 11 - Saddam is ejected from the courtroom for the fourth time. The trial is adjourned to Oct. 17. Oct 16 - The Iraqi High Tribunal says it will reconvene on Nov. 5 after saying it needs more time to review testimony in the Dujail case. A verdict is possible on Nov. 5. Oct 17 - The judge in genocide trial agrees to a request by defence counsel to allow their lawyers back in court.
