The defence began closing arguments in the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Monday, but most of the lawyers boycotted the court after the killing of one of Saddam's lawyers last month.
Saddam's chief lawyer, Khalil al-Duleimi, was absent from the court, along with several other defence lawyers - apparently in protest over the death of Khamis al-Obeidi.
Al-Obeidi was abducted from his Baghdad home on June 21 and found shot dead hours later on a street near the Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City.
Al-Obeidi was the third defence lawyer to be killed since the trial began in October.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman expressed his regrets over al-Obeidi's death.
 "We announce our deep sorrow (at the killing of one of Saddam's lawyers last month) and confirm that the court condemns any attack against lawyers or against any of those working in this court."
The lawyers for Saddam and three of his top co-defendants now say they are boycotting the court until better security is put in place and other demands are met.
It's thought the demands include better security and an adjournment of the trial to allow them more time to prepare their final arguments.
They say death and security fears have undermined their ability to defend Saddam and the seven other former members of his government.
However, at the start of Monday's session, chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman said he had received the defence team's requests but dismissed them.
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Director: Liu Chi