Dec 30 (Reuters) - Following is a chronology of events in the trials and execution 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 Awad al-Bander, former chief judge in Saddam's Revolutionary Court and one of Saddam's seven co-defendants, is seized from his office and killed. Nov. 8 - Gunmen fire on car carrying defence lawyers Adil al-Zubeidi, who is killed, and Thamer Hamoud al-Khuzaie, who is wounded. Both were on team defending Saddam's half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti and former Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan. Dec. 7 - Saddam stays away from hearing after telling tribunal to "go to hell" the day before. Jan. 23, 2006 - Court names new temporary chief judge, Raouf Abdel Rahman, after chief judge Rizgar Amin resigns in protest at pressure from the government. Jan. 29 - Trial resumes but Saddam and co-defendants walk out and defence lawyers call for trial to be moved abroad. March 1 - Saddam acknowledges he ordered trials that led to the 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'ites in Dujail. He says he is still president. June 19 - In closing statements, prosecutors ask judge for death sentences for Saddam and three others. 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 in what is known as the "Anfal" or "Spoils of War" campaign, begins. He refuses to plead. Six others on trial include Ali Hassan al-Majeed, known as "Chemical Ali". Saddam and Majeed face the additional charge of genocide. All the main charges carry the death penalty. Sept. 19 - Mohammed al-Ureybi is appointed 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 down. Defence lawyers storm out in protest against the sacking of the previous judge. Sept. 25 - Eight court-appointed lawyers stand in for the defence team, who continue to boycott the proceedings. Oct. 11 - Saddam is ejected for the fourth time. Oct. 17 - Judge agrees to let defence lawyers back in. Nov. 5 - Saddam is found guilty of crimes against humanity for the deaths in Dujail, and sentenced to hang. His former chief judge Bander and Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti are also sentenced to death. Taha Yassin Ramadan is sentenced to life imprisonment. Nov. 7 - Saddam returns to court to face genocide charges. Dec. 3 - Appeals lodged by lawyers for Saddam and two former aides sentenced to death. Dec. 18 - The Anfal trial resumes with prosecutors producing documentary evidence crucial to pinning down Saddam's personal responsibility. -- Saddam says he will take responsibility "with honour" for any attacks on Iran during the 1980 to 1988 war but takes issue with charges he ordered attacks on Iraqis. Dec. 26 - Dujail verdicts are upheld by Iraqi appeals court. The Iraqi High Tribunal rules say execution must follow within 30 days. Dec. 30 - Saddam Hussein is hanged.
