Fugitive Iraqi vice president says he has no faith in justice system
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Fugitive Iraqi vice president says he has no faith in justice system, 4 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fab717d2.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 04, 2012
Iraq's fugitive vice president, who is accused of running a death squad, said that he has no faith in the Iraqi justice system and fears for his life.
Tariq al-Hashimi, who escaped to Turkey, is being tried in absentia on charges he and his bodyguards killed several Iraqi judges and officials.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Hashimi, a leading Sunni official, in December, but he has since fled the country.
Hashimi's trial began on May 3 but was delayed until May 10.
His lawyers, who fear the trial may become politicized, want it to be heard by a special court and not by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq.
The charge against Hashimi has sparked a political crisis in Iraq as the vice president's Sunni bloc has boycotted parliament over accusations Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite, is monopolizing power.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
