President Jalal Talabani of Iraq has told France 24 television that he won't sign the death penalty sentence against Tarik Aziz, who was sentenced to death last month.
President Talabani says that he feels "compassion" for Aziz, as Aziz is both "a Christian" and over 70 years old.
Does this mean the sentence has really been commuted, or postponed until the President can be "persuaded" to change his mind or leaves office?
Showing posts with label Tarik Aziz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tarik Aziz. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Friday, August 06, 2010
Leaving Iraq To The Wolves
Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein's former deputy, has accused the US president of "leaving Iraq to the wolves" as a resulkt of the decision to withdraw combat troops during a period of increasing violence.
Aziz told The Guardian that the United States should stay in Iraq, in order to correct the mistakes it had made since the 2003 invasion.
"We are all victims of America and Britain.
They killed our country in many ways. When you make a mistake you need to correct a mistake, not leave Iraq to its death."
He went on to say:
"For 30 years Saddam built Iraq and now it is destroyed. There are more sick than before, more hungry.
The people don't have services. People are being killed every day in the tens, if not hundreds.
I was encouraged when [US President Barack Obama] was elected president, because I thought he was going to correct some of the mistakes of Bush. But Obama is a hypocrite. He is leaving Iraq to the wolves."
Aziz was jailed for 15 years in 2009 for murder, and given a seven-year term in August 2009 for his role in expelling Kurds from Iraq's north.
Aziz told The Guardian that the United States should stay in Iraq, in order to correct the mistakes it had made since the 2003 invasion.
"We are all victims of America and Britain.
They killed our country in many ways. When you make a mistake you need to correct a mistake, not leave Iraq to its death."
He went on to say:
"For 30 years Saddam built Iraq and now it is destroyed. There are more sick than before, more hungry.
The people don't have services. People are being killed every day in the tens, if not hundreds.
I was encouraged when [US President Barack Obama] was elected president, because I thought he was going to correct some of the mistakes of Bush. But Obama is a hypocrite. He is leaving Iraq to the wolves."
Aziz was jailed for 15 years in 2009 for murder, and given a seven-year term in August 2009 for his role in expelling Kurds from Iraq's north.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Aziz Jailed
Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein's right hand man, was found guilty yesterday of crimes against humanity and jailed for 15 years.
Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabawi Ibrahim, director of public security (half-brothers of Saddam) were sentenced to death on the same charges.
Aziz will appeal against the sentence. However, he still faces charges for the killing and arrest of hundreds of Kurds in the early 1980s.
Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabawi Ibrahim, director of public security (half-brothers of Saddam) were sentenced to death on the same charges.
Aziz will appeal against the sentence. However, he still faces charges for the killing and arrest of hundreds of Kurds in the early 1980s.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Police Seize Boris's Cigar case
The British police have confirmed that they are examining an Iraqi cigar case belonging to London mayor Boris Johnson, in order to determine whether it is a looted Iraqi artifact. Johnson handed over the case on Monday.
Johnson took the case in 2003 from the bombed-out home of former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz.
Johnson was then working as a journalist, and had been taken to Aziz's ransacked villa. He is quoted in The Daily Telegraph:
"And there, just by my toe, protruding from beneath a piece of dusty plywood, was the cigar case.....the circumstances in which I came by this object were so morally ambiguous that I cannot quite think of it as theft."
He added, rather ruefully:
"Well, I suppose we should be grateful for one thing, it seems that a Western politician is finally going to pay the price for his involvement in the Iraq war."
Much a do about nothing!
Johnson took the case in 2003 from the bombed-out home of former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz.
Johnson was then working as a journalist, and had been taken to Aziz's ransacked villa. He is quoted in The Daily Telegraph:
"And there, just by my toe, protruding from beneath a piece of dusty plywood, was the cigar case.....the circumstances in which I came by this object were so morally ambiguous that I cannot quite think of it as theft."
He added, rather ruefully:
"Well, I suppose we should be grateful for one thing, it seems that a Western politician is finally going to pay the price for his involvement in the Iraq war."
Much a do about nothing!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Fifth Trial
The fifth trial by the Iraqi High Tribunal begins July 21, this trial will cover the 1999 assassination of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr.
Among the defendants are former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid, aka "Chemical Ali."
Aziz, Majid and six other co-defendants currently face charges in the Iraqi High Tribunal on war crimes for the execution of 42 businessmen in 1992.
Among the defendants are former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid, aka "Chemical Ali."
Aziz, Majid and six other co-defendants currently face charges in the Iraqi High Tribunal on war crimes for the execution of 42 businessmen in 1992.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Restraint Urged
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid, at the trial of the former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, called on all parties involved in the case yesterday to show self-restraint and maintain professional behaviour during the trial.
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid urged the legal teams, defendants and plaintiffs to refrain from mutual abuse and show appropriate behaviour in court.
On Sunday, there were sharp exchanges between Aziz and one of the witnesses, Mahir Rashid.
Rashid said his brother, one of the executed traders, had been killed on the instigation of Aziz's son, who was involved in trading in foreign currencies and saw his brother as a threatening competitor.
Aziz dismissed the accusations and insults were traded.
The trial continues.
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid urged the legal teams, defendants and plaintiffs to refrain from mutual abuse and show appropriate behaviour in court.
On Sunday, there were sharp exchanges between Aziz and one of the witnesses, Mahir Rashid.
Rashid said his brother, one of the executed traders, had been killed on the instigation of Aziz's son, who was involved in trading in foreign currencies and saw his brother as a threatening competitor.
Aziz dismissed the accusations and insults were traded.
The trial continues.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Aziz Stands Trial
The trial of Saddam's former Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, and his seven co defendants resumed yesterday in Baghdad.
They are on trial for their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
Aziz appeared or himself, without legal representation, as his lawyers have not been granted visas.
Aziz told the court that the trial was based on personal revenge:
"Focusing on the membership of the Revolutionary Command Council means revenge. I know it is a personal revenge."
A guilty verdict carries the death penalty.
They are on trial for their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
Aziz appeared or himself, without legal representation, as his lawyers have not been granted visas.
Aziz told the court that the trial was based on personal revenge:
"Focusing on the membership of the Revolutionary Command Council means revenge. I know it is a personal revenge."
A guilty verdict carries the death penalty.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Aziz Due To Appear
Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi deputy prime minister, is set to appear before the Iraqi High Tribunal tomorrow without the new legal team that he demanded three weeks ago.
Aziz faces charges linked to the execution of 42 Baghdad merchants in 1992.
He may now have to seek a new court date, or represent himself on Tuesday.
His son, Ziad Aziz, who is based in Amman has told the media that French lawyer Jacques Verges, four Italian lawyers and a French-Lebanese attorney will be unable to attend Tuesday's hearing in Baghdad because they have not received their visas.
Aziz faces charges linked to the execution of 42 Baghdad merchants in 1992.
He may now have to seek a new court date, or represent himself on Tuesday.
His son, Ziad Aziz, who is based in Amman has told the media that French lawyer Jacques Verges, four Italian lawyers and a French-Lebanese attorney will be unable to attend Tuesday's hearing in Baghdad because they have not received their visas.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Aziz Trial Begins
The trial of Tariq Aziz began in Baghdad Tuesday. The former Iraqi deputy prime minister is charged with executing 42 merchants who were accused of breaking state price controls in 1992.
He has been held in jail for the last 5 years, awaiting trial.
The trial was adjourned until 20th May.
He has been held in jail for the last 5 years, awaiting trial.
The trial was adjourned until 20th May.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Another Trial
The fourth trial of figures from Saddam Hussein's regime will begin next week, when former deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz and six others face charges relating to the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
Aziz will stand trial with, amongst others, Saddam's half brother Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and former Central Bank chief Issam Mula Hawish.
The trial is scheduled to start Tuesday, and deals with the execution of 42 merchants accused by Saddam's government of being behind a sharp increase in food prices when the country was under sanctions.
Aziz will stand trial with, amongst others, Saddam's half brother Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and former Central Bank chief Issam Mula Hawish.
The trial is scheduled to start Tuesday, and deals with the execution of 42 merchants accused by Saddam's government of being behind a sharp increase in food prices when the country was under sanctions.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Mystery of The Disappearing Cigar Case
In a plot totally unlike the complexity or interest of an Agatha Christie plot, Boris Johnson (candidate for London's mayor) has found himself under police investigation for "stealing" the red cigar case of Tariq Aziz in May 2003.
Scotland Yard wrote to Mr Johnson demanding that return the red leather case, which he took from the bombed out home of Tariq Aziz in May 2003 (Aziz had surrendered to the US military days earlier).
Read the letter here.
Mr Johnson has now agreed to give back the case. However, he was somewhat surprised to find himself the subject of an investigation; given that he has never attempted to conceal the fact that he took the case. Indeed, he even wrote about it in The Daily Telegraph in 2003.
Mr Johnson's campaign team suspects dirty tricks by his opponents in May's mayoral election.
Scotland Yard now admit, privately, that they have handled the whole affair very badly.
A senior source is quoted in The Telegraph as saying:
"It is fair to say that the issue should have been handled differently. It should have been referred higher up. More senior officers should have been involved. It has not come out the way we would have wanted it to."
A complete waste of time and money!
Scotland Yard wrote to Mr Johnson demanding that return the red leather case, which he took from the bombed out home of Tariq Aziz in May 2003 (Aziz had surrendered to the US military days earlier).
Read the letter here.
Mr Johnson has now agreed to give back the case. However, he was somewhat surprised to find himself the subject of an investigation; given that he has never attempted to conceal the fact that he took the case. Indeed, he even wrote about it in The Daily Telegraph in 2003.
Mr Johnson's campaign team suspects dirty tricks by his opponents in May's mayoral election.
Scotland Yard now admit, privately, that they have handled the whole affair very badly.
A senior source is quoted in The Telegraph as saying:
"It is fair to say that the issue should have been handled differently. It should have been referred higher up. More senior officers should have been involved. It has not come out the way we would have wanted it to."
A complete waste of time and money!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Aziz Ill
It is reported that the health of former Iraqi deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz, is deteriorating as a result of his hunger strike.
Aziz went on strike last month, as a protest against his transfer to the custody of Iraqi authorities.
His lawyers have requested an independent medical examination.
Aziz went on strike last month, as a protest against his transfer to the custody of Iraqi authorities.
His lawyers have requested an independent medical examination.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Aziz Normal
Tariq Aziz, Iraq's former foreign minister under Saddam Hussein, was admitted to hospital last week for a check up after fainting. His health has been confirmed as "normal", and he was sent back to prison on Thursday.
Aziz had been due to face questioning by a judge last Wednesday, but he fainted on Tuesday.
Badie Arif Ezzat, Aziz's lawyer, said that Aziz had fainted repeatedly on Tuesday. In January last year, Ezzat told the BBC that his client had suffered a stroke and had barely a month to live.
The coalition issued a statement:
"All studies came back normal for a person Mr Aziz's age... and [he] is currently in the same health and with the same functional status as he was prior to his fall."
Aziz had been due to face questioning by a judge last Wednesday, but he fainted on Tuesday.
Badie Arif Ezzat, Aziz's lawyer, said that Aziz had fainted repeatedly on Tuesday. In January last year, Ezzat told the BBC that his client had suffered a stroke and had barely a month to live.
The coalition issued a statement:
"All studies came back normal for a person Mr Aziz's age... and [he] is currently in the same health and with the same functional status as he was prior to his fall."
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Aziz Blames Iran
Tarik Aziz, who was Saddam Hussein's foreign minister and deputy prime minister, has claimed that there "was no genocide" against Iraqi Kurds and blamed Iran for the 1988 poison gas attack on a Kurdish town.
Aziz was appearing before a special tribunal, and claimed that Iraq did not possess the nerve agents that were used to kill an estimated 5,000 people in Halabja.
Quote:
"You can check with experts.
There was no genocide against the Kurds Those defendants were honest officers who defended their country and fought Iran."
Aziz called Saddam a "hero and patriot for Iraq sovereignty."
Aziz was appearing before a special tribunal, and claimed that Iraq did not possess the nerve agents that were used to kill an estimated 5,000 people in Halabja.
Quote:
"You can check with experts.
There was no genocide against the Kurds Those defendants were honest officers who defended their country and fought Iran."
Aziz called Saddam a "hero and patriot for Iraq sovereignty."
Monday, May 29, 2006
Aziz Testifies
Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam Hussein's closest henchmen, took the stand last Wednesday to defend his former boss.
Aziz said that the government of the day reacted lawfully during the attacks against the state and government, including the 1982 assassination attempt against Hussein.
Aziz claims that he was never told by the other defendants about the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail, following the assassination attempt. He took the view that "no one is guilty of anything", and that the enforcing of law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz said that Barzan Hassan, the former head of the secret police, would have told him if Hassan or the intelligence agency had been torturing people. Aziz also testified that former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan had nothing to do with the crackdown.
Aziz claimed that the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tried to kill him and Saddam during that period, and said that dozens of students were killed then.
Quote:
"I'm a victim of criminal acts committed by a party presently in power now. Try them."
How the worm has turned.
Aziz said that the government of the day reacted lawfully during the attacks against the state and government, including the 1982 assassination attempt against Hussein.
Aziz claims that he was never told by the other defendants about the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail, following the assassination attempt. He took the view that "no one is guilty of anything", and that the enforcing of law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz said that Barzan Hassan, the former head of the secret police, would have told him if Hassan or the intelligence agency had been torturing people. Aziz also testified that former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan had nothing to do with the crackdown.
Aziz claimed that the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tried to kill him and Saddam during that period, and said that dozens of students were killed then.
Quote:
"I'm a victim of criminal acts committed by a party presently in power now. Try them."
How the worm has turned.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Aziz Testifies
Tariq Aziz, one of the senior members of Saddam Hussein's regime, took the stand today for the defence.
Aziz, allegedly in poor health, said that the attempt on Saddam's life in 1982 was part of a chain of criminal actions against the state and the government.
Aziz said that "no one is guilty of anything", and emphasised that the enforcing of the law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz also noted that if people in Dujail should be compensated for the destruction of their orchards during the crackdown, then the people in places like Falluja today where fighting has destroyed property should also be compensated.
Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman reopened today's session warning defence attorneys to act respectfully, noting Monday's fracas with one of the defence team.
Aziz, allegedly in poor health, said that the attempt on Saddam's life in 1982 was part of a chain of criminal actions against the state and the government.
Aziz said that "no one is guilty of anything", and emphasised that the enforcing of the law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz also noted that if people in Dujail should be compensated for the destruction of their orchards during the crackdown, then the people in places like Falluja today where fighting has destroyed property should also be compensated.
Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman reopened today's session warning defence attorneys to act respectfully, noting Monday's fracas with one of the defence team.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Aziz Denied Asylum
Croatia has ruled out granting temporary asylum to Saddam Hussein's former foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, if he is freed and allowed to seek medical treatment for cancer.
Aziz wrote to Croatia requesting consideration of a formal asylum demand, if he was released by the Iraqi government.
A series of letters from Aziz and his associates have been released to the media. One said:
"We are therefore requesting an urgent response as to whether the Croatian government would permit ... Tariq Aziz and his family interim residence in Croatia in the event the Iraqi government accedes to our request".
Aziz's lawyers have filed an application with the Iraqi government for his immediate release and have asked France, Italy and Sweden if they could accept him for urgent medical treatment.
However, Aziz's family have asked that he be allowed to temporarily stay in Croatia; because it is considered as a neutral country regarding the war in Iraq.
Aziz has been accused of two counts of mass murder, allegedly committed in 1979 and 1991. He faces the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Aziz wrote to Croatia requesting consideration of a formal asylum demand, if he was released by the Iraqi government.
A series of letters from Aziz and his associates have been released to the media. One said:
"We are therefore requesting an urgent response as to whether the Croatian government would permit ... Tariq Aziz and his family interim residence in Croatia in the event the Iraqi government accedes to our request".
Aziz's lawyers have filed an application with the Iraqi government for his immediate release and have asked France, Italy and Sweden if they could accept him for urgent medical treatment.
However, Aziz's family have asked that he be allowed to temporarily stay in Croatia; because it is considered as a neutral country regarding the war in Iraq.
Aziz has been accused of two counts of mass murder, allegedly committed in 1979 and 1991. He faces the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Aziz Dying
Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein's trusted number two, may have only "weeks to live".
Aziz has a blood clot on the brain, a common cause of stroke.
His lawyer, Badia Aref, said:
"He cannot walk properly. His situation is very bad.
He is being given 13 pills a day for blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses to prevent strokes. If you look at him you would say that he has only a few weeks to live."
He kept on repeating one thing, 'I want to see my family, I want to see my children'."
Aziz surrendered to US forces in April 2003 and is in jail. He has been quizzed by the tribunal trying Saddam for war crimes.
Prosecutors had hoped to persuade Aziz to testify against Saddam, in return for freedom for him and his family in Europe.
Aziz has a blood clot on the brain, a common cause of stroke.
His lawyer, Badia Aref, said:
"He cannot walk properly. His situation is very bad.
He is being given 13 pills a day for blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses to prevent strokes. If you look at him you would say that he has only a few weeks to live."
He kept on repeating one thing, 'I want to see my family, I want to see my children'."
Aziz surrendered to US forces in April 2003 and is in jail. He has been quizzed by the tribunal trying Saddam for war crimes.
Prosecutors had hoped to persuade Aziz to testify against Saddam, in return for freedom for him and his family in Europe.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Tariq Aziz Not To Testify
Saddam Hussein's lieutenant, Tariq Aziz, will not testify against Saddam in any criminal trial according to his lawyer.
Aziz, who was Iraq's foreign minister and deputy foreign minister, issued a statement via his lawyer Badee Izzat Aref.
Quote:
"I will not betray my honor and my conscience and testify against Saddam Hussein,".
Aziz is in U.S. custody, and faces charges for his role in Saddam's regime.
Saddam's first trial is expected to begin within 45 to 50 days.
Aziz, who was Iraq's foreign minister and deputy foreign minister, issued a statement via his lawyer Badee Izzat Aref.
Quote:
"I will not betray my honor and my conscience and testify against Saddam Hussein,".
Aziz is in U.S. custody, and faces charges for his role in Saddam's regime.
Saddam's first trial is expected to begin within 45 to 50 days.
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