ABIDJAN, Oct 9, 2008 (AFP) - The trial of seven people accused of complicity in the dumping of poisonous waste at public sites across Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan two years ago, killing 17 people, was suspended on Wednesday.

The judge suspended the trial until October 13 after defense attorneys walked out in protest after the judge refused to grant a delay to call witnesses from the Dutch company Trafigura, which shipped in the waste, and its local subsidiary.

The waste sickened thousands, some of whom still complain of problems.

Exposure to the waste caused respiratory difficulties, nausea and other medical problems among the local population, prompting entire neighborhoods to evacuate.

No Trafigura executives are on trial after the Dutch multinational reached a 152-million-euro (215-million-dollar) settlement with the Ivorian government in February last year in return for indemnity against prosecution. The company has never admitted liability.

Those on trial are heads of Ivorian companies which dumped the waste. One has testified he was not informed by Trafigura's local subsidiary, Puma Energy, that the waste was dangerous.

The judge could order the appointment of new defense lawyers, but one of the lawyers representing the Ivorian government said it would be difficult to finds attorneys willing to take on the job.