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Tariq Aziz due on trial in Iraq Tariq Aziz due on trial in Iraq
(9 minutes later)
Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz is due to go on trial over the deaths of a group of Baghdad merchants in 1992. Former Iraqi Deputy PM Tariq Aziz is due to go on trial over the deaths of a group of Baghdad merchants in 1992.
Mr Aziz, along with seven other former members of Saddam Hussein's regime, is accused of involvement in the executions of about 40 merchants.Mr Aziz, along with seven other former members of Saddam Hussein's regime, is accused of involvement in the executions of about 40 merchants.
The merchants were accused of hiking food prices at a time when Iraq was under international sanctions. The merchants were accused of hiking food prices at a time when Iraq was under international sanctions. They were executed after a speedy trial.
They were executed after a speedy trial.
One of the co-accused is Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali".One of the co-accused is Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali".
Ali Hassan al-Majid is already on death row after being convicted last year of leading a campaign in the late 1980s in which tens of thousands of Iraqi Kurdish civilians were killed.Ali Hassan al-Majid is already on death row after being convicted last year of leading a campaign in the late 1980s in which tens of thousands of Iraqi Kurdish civilians were killed.
TARIQ AZIZ Born in 1936, near Mosul, northern IraqStudied English literature and became a journalistThe most senior Christian in the toppled Saddam Hussein regimeEnlisted US support for war on IranMet US President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1984Was Saddam Hussein's deputy for more than a decade Profile: Tariq AzizSend us your comments
Another of Mr Aziz's co-accused is Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan.Another of Mr Aziz's co-accused is Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan.
None of the families of these merchants filed suits against my father Tariq Aziz's son, Ziad Profile: Tariq AzizSend us your comments
Mr Aziz's son, Ziad, has said that his father is innocent.Mr Aziz's son, Ziad, has said that his father is innocent.
"My father told me personally that he had nothing to do with this case. At the time, my father was on an official assignment outside of Iraq," he told the AFP news agency."My father told me personally that he had nothing to do with this case. At the time, my father was on an official assignment outside of Iraq," he told the AFP news agency.
"None of the families of these merchants filed suits against my father.""None of the families of these merchants filed suits against my father."
Mr Aziz received hospital treatment last year after falling in prison, while in 2006 he suffered a stroke. Mr Aziz received hospital treatment last year after a fall in prison, while in 2006 he suffered a stroke.
He was taken into custody in April 2003 after he gave himself up to US forces.He was taken into custody in April 2003 after he gave himself up to US forces.
Veteran judgeVeteran judge
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Tariq Aziz was the public face of Saddam Hussein's regimeTariq Aziz was the public face of Saddam Hussein's regime
The trial will be conducted by the Iraqi High Tribunal, which was set up to try former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. Mr Aziz is expected to appear in court in person, tribunal spokesman Areef Shaheen has told the BBC.The trial will be conducted by the Iraqi High Tribunal, which was set up to try former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. Mr Aziz is expected to appear in court in person, tribunal spokesman Areef Shaheen has told the BBC.
The trial would be conducted in a similar way to previous cases, with the court first hearing from complainants, then from witnesses, and finally from the defendants, the spokesman said.The trial would be conducted in a similar way to previous cases, with the court first hearing from complainants, then from witnesses, and finally from the defendants, the spokesman said.
Saddam Hussein was executed in December 2006 after being convicted of crimes against humanity over the killing of 148 Shia men and boys after a 1982 assassination attempt against him.Saddam Hussein was executed in December 2006 after being convicted of crimes against humanity over the killing of 148 Shia men and boys after a 1982 assassination attempt against him.
Judge Rauf Rasheed Abdel Rahman, an Iraqi Kurd, will preside at Mr Aziz's trial. He is the same judge who sentenced Saddam Hussein to death.Judge Rauf Rasheed Abdel Rahman, an Iraqi Kurd, will preside at Mr Aziz's trial. He is the same judge who sentenced Saddam Hussein to death.