[JURIST] AP is reporting that the Iraqi High Criminal Court trying ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] and co-defendants for crimes against humanity has canceled its session scheduled for Tuesday and has instead set January 29 as the date of its next hearing of witnesses in the case. The last-minute delay comes on the heels of Monday's surprise appointment of Judge Ra'uf Rashid, another Kurd, to replace resigned chief judge Rizgar Amin after Amin's deputy and initial successor Sayeed al-Hammash was accused of having been a member of Hussein's now-banned Baath party [JURIST report].

6:54 AM ET – Court spokesman and investigating judge Raed Juhi told reporters "Some witnesses are abroad, so the 1st Trial Chamber decided to delay the session until Sunday, January 29." Reuters now has more.