Iraq vice-president sentenced to death

Tariq al-Hashimi

Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who fled the country months ago, was sentenced to death Sunday, by hanging on charges he masterminded death squads against rivals in a terror trial that has fuelled sectarian tensions in the country.


Hashemi fled to Turkey in the months after the Shia-led government accused him of playing a role in 150 bombings, assassinations and other attacks from 2005 to 2011, years in which the country was mired in retaliatory sectarian violence that followed the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein's Sunni regime.

Most of the attacks were allegedly carried out by Hashemi's bodyguards and other employees, and largely targeted government officials, security forces and Shia pilgrims.

Source: Guardian.co.uk