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Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi rejects guilty verdict Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi rejects guilty verdict
(about 2 hours later)
Fugitive Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi has rejected a guilty verdict and death sentence passed on him in absentia as "politically motivated".Fugitive Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi has rejected a guilty verdict and death sentence passed on him in absentia as "politically motivated".
In remarks at a press conference in neighbouring Turkey, he launched a stinging attack on the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.In remarks at a press conference in neighbouring Turkey, he launched a stinging attack on the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
On Sunday, an Iraqi court found Hashemi guilty of running death squads.On Sunday, an Iraqi court found Hashemi guilty of running death squads.
Hashemi was the most senior Sunni Muslim politician in Iraq and his case has sparked a political crisis.Hashemi was the most senior Sunni Muslim politician in Iraq and his case has sparked a political crisis.
Hashemi insisted he was innocent of the charges and said he would continue to serve his country.Hashemi insisted he was innocent of the charges and said he would continue to serve his country.
He said that he would be prepared to face a "fair trial" but that the Iraqi courts were under Mr Maliki's influence.
Sectarian tensionsSectarian tensions
He described the verdict as a "medal on my chest".He described the verdict as a "medal on my chest".
He went on to accuse Mr Maliki's predominantly Shia-led government of "pushing for" increased sectarian strife and urged his supporters to show a "high standard of self-discipline".He went on to accuse Mr Maliki's predominantly Shia-led government of "pushing for" increased sectarian strife and urged his supporters to show a "high standard of self-discipline".
The political crisis around Hashemi's case has coincided with a sharp upswing in violence in Iraq.The political crisis around Hashemi's case has coincided with a sharp upswing in violence in Iraq.
On Sunday, 92 people were killed and more than 350 injured in more than 20 attacks across Iraq.On Sunday, 92 people were killed and more than 350 injured in more than 20 attacks across Iraq.
In a thinly veiled reference to Iran, Hashemi also complained of the "growing influence of neighbouring countries in our internal affairs".In a thinly veiled reference to Iran, Hashemi also complained of the "growing influence of neighbouring countries in our internal affairs".
Many Iraqi Sunnis believe they are being marginalised and targeted by Shias, who have grown in influence since the US-led invasion.Many Iraqi Sunnis believe they are being marginalised and targeted by Shias, who have grown in influence since the US-led invasion.
Hashemi accused Mr Maliki's government of "corruption and discrimination".Hashemi accused Mr Maliki's government of "corruption and discrimination".
He also accused the US government of "turning a blind eye" to Mr Maliki's "disastrous conduct" because of the forthcoming US presidential elections.He also accused the US government of "turning a blind eye" to Mr Maliki's "disastrous conduct" because of the forthcoming US presidential elections.
'Terror attacks''Terror attacks'
Hashemi is a member of the secular, mainly Sunni Iraqiyya political bloc and has been vice president since 2006.Hashemi is a member of the secular, mainly Sunni Iraqiyya political bloc and has been vice president since 2006.
However, on 19 December 2011, the day after the last US troops left the country, the Iraqi government issued a warrant for Hashemi's arrest.However, on 19 December 2011, the day after the last US troops left the country, the Iraqi government issued a warrant for Hashemi's arrest.
It accused him of orchestrating terror attacks on officials and security forces.It accused him of orchestrating terror attacks on officials and security forces.
Hashemi fled first to the largely autonomous Kurdish north of the country, and from there to Qatar and on to Turkey.Hashemi fled first to the largely autonomous Kurdish north of the country, and from there to Qatar and on to Turkey.
Prosecutors said Hashemi was involved in 150 killings. During his trial in absentia in Baghdad, some of his former bodyguards said Mr Hashemi had ordered murders.Prosecutors said Hashemi was involved in 150 killings. During his trial in absentia in Baghdad, some of his former bodyguards said Mr Hashemi had ordered murders.
The court also found Hashemi's son-in-law guilty of two murders and sentenced him to death by hanging. The judge dismissed a third charge for lack of evidence.The court also found Hashemi's son-in-law guilty of two murders and sentenced him to death by hanging. The judge dismissed a third charge for lack of evidence.