Prosecutors at the trial of Saddam Hussein have presented a document they said is signed by Saddam approving the execution of 148 Shi'ite Muslim villagers.
The prosecutors Tuesday said the June 1984 document confirmed the death sentences passed by a tribunal.
Saddam and seven others are on trial for the killings in Dujail, which happened in a crackdown following an assassination attempt against Saddam.
Their trial resumed briefly Tuesday after a two week break with the defendants and their legal team present. They had boycotted previous sessions.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman announced the five-judge panel rejected a defense request to remove him and the chief prosecutor from the trial.
Saddam's head defense lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said he would appeal the decision and asked for a halt in the court's proceedings. He then walked out of the court.
The trial has been adjourned until Wednesday. The defendants face hanging if convicted.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.