Saddam Hussein pauses to pray as his trial resumes in Baghdad

Saddam Hussein has told the court trying him for alleged crimes against humanity that he has been beaten and tortured while in U.S. custody.

Saddam says Americans beat him "on every place" of his body and that he has the marks to prove it.

He made the torture allegations during proceedings which resumed earlier Wednesday. He spoke after being largely quiet and calm during witness testimony about the 1982 torture and massacre of 140 Shi'ite Muslims in Dujail. One witness said guards dripped melted plastic on detainees and administered electric shocks.

The deposed Iraqi dictator and seven co-defendants are accused of ordering or carrying out the torture and massacre after Saddam survived an assassination attempt there.