Iraq's Vice President Hashemi says death sentence 'politically motivated'

Ankara, Sept. 10 (Xinhua-ANI): Iraq's fugitive Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said here Monday at a press conference that he does not recognize the ruling of an Iraqi court which sentenced him to death in absentia on charges of plotting terrorist attacks in the country.

Hashemi reiterated his belief that the court acted under political influence of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and that he is innocent and ready to face trial in a "just and fair" court.

"This is a decision of acquittal for me. It is an unjust decision. I am innocent and all charges were unfairly directed against me," he said.

Noting that the "unjust" decision will not prevent him from serving his country, Hashemi said he became the vice president of Iraq "with the support of Iraqi people not that of Maliki."

Hashemi accused Maliki of conducting a political witch-hunt against Sunni opponents. But the government said it was strictly a judicial case. (Xinhua-ANI)