{{Short description|9th Vice President of Iraq}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Tariq al-Hashimi | native_name = {{Nobold|طَارِق الْهَاشِمِي}} | native_name_lang = ar | image = Tariq Al Hashimi 2.jpg | caption = Al-Hashimi in 2009 | order = Vice President of Iraq | alongside = Khodair al-Khozaei (after 2011) | term_start = 22 April 2006 | term_end = 10 September 2012 | predecessor = Ghazi al-Yawer and Adil Abdul-Mahdi | successor = Khodair al-Khozaei | president = Jalal Talabani | office2 = Leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party | term_start2 = 2004 | term_end2 = 24 May 2009<ref>{{cite book |last=Guidère |first=Mathieu |title=Historical Dictionary of Islamic Fundamentalism |year=2012 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |page=143}}</ref> | predecessor2 = | successor2 = Osama Tawfiq al-Tikriti | birth_place = Baghdad, Iraq | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1942}} | death_date = | death_place = | party = Renewal List-Iraqi National Movement | relations = Maysoon al-Hashemi (sister) | children = | alma_mater = | occupation = Politician | profession = Army officer | signature = | website = | footnotes = | nickname = | allegiance = {{flagicon|Iraq|1991}} Ba'athist Iraq | branch = Iraqi Army | service_years = 1962–1975 | rank = Lieutenant Colonel | unit = Artillery | commands = | awards = }}
'''Tariq al-Hashimi''' ({{langx|ar|طَارِق الْهَاشِمِي|Ṭāriq al-Hāshimī}}; born 1942)<ref name=silobreaker>{{cite web|url=http://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-tariq-alhashemi-5_2260060937593552896_4|title=Biography for Tariq al-Hashimi|work=Silobreaker|date=15 January 2009|accessdate=10 April 2012|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130104160415/http://news.silobreaker.com/biography-for-tariq-alhashemi-5_2260060937593552896_4|archivedate=4 January 2013}}</ref> is an Iraqi politician who served as the general secretary of the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) until May 2009. He served as the vice president of Iraq from 2006 to 2012. As a Sunni, he took the place of fellow Sunni politician Ghazi al-Yawar.
==Early life== Tariq al-Hashimi was born to Sunni Arab parents in 1942 in Baghdad, Iraq, in the Mashhadan tribe. From 1959 to 1962, he studied at the Baghdad Military Academy. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in an artillery battalion of an armoured brigade in 1962. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Al-Mustansiriya University in 1969, and a master's degree in 1978.<ref name=silobreaker/> At the age of 33, he left the Iraqi Army, and became active in the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP), serving on its planning committee. He is the brother of Maysoon al-Hashemi, who was killed on 27 April 2006<ref>{{cite news |last=Muir |first=Jim |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/1516906/Womans-leader-shot-dead-in-Baghdad.html |title=Woman's leader shot dead in Baghdad |work=The Telegraph |date=28 April 2006}}</ref> and Amir al-Hashimi, who was killed on 9 October 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/09/iraq |title=Iraqi vice-president's brother assassinated |work=The Guardian |date=28 April 2006}}</ref>
==Political career and views== Hashimi was the leader of the largest Sunni block, Iraqi Accord Front led by the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP). The block entered the 2005 elections, but withdrew later.<ref name=crs>{{cite web|last=Katzman|first=Kenneth|title=Iraq: Government Formation and Benchmarks|url=http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA471721|publisher=Congressional Research Service|accessdate=15 September 2012|date=12 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408130716/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA471721|archive-date=8 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hashimi opposes federalism, wants oil revenues distributed based on population, de-Baathification reversed, and more Sunnis in the new military and police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html|title=Iraq Study Group Report|publisher=USIP|accessdate=10 September 2012|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615040856/http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html|archivedate=15 June 2009}}</ref> In fact, Hashimi argued that the inhabitants of the provinces could take the decision whether or not to form federal regions.<ref name=mardini/>
''USA Today'' reported in December 2006 that Hashimi was involved in forming a multi-sectarian alliance to replace the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, with the encouragement of U.S. President George W. Bush, to counter the political influence of Muqtada al-Sadr.<ref>{{cite web|last=Slavin|first=Barbara|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-12-14-iraq-coalition_x.htm|title=Iraqi VP says Bush wants coalition to counter al-Sadr|publisher=USA Today|date=14 December 2006|accessdate=10 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903150800/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-12-14-iraq-coalition_x.htm|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> At a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2007, Hashimi said that the Iraqi government was prepared to cooperate with Turkey in the Turkish fight against Kurdish Workers Party.<ref name=Xin>{{cite news|title=Iraqi VP vows to cooperate with Turkey against PKK|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/17/content_6892769.htm|accessdate=9 September 2012|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=17 October 2007|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824081204/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/17/content_6892769.htm|archivedate=24 August 2010}}</ref>
In December 2006, Hashimi differentiated between Al-Qaeda and the other fighters that America calls "insurgents", and that Iraqis call the "resistance", noting that the latter "are very much prepared to contribute to and participate in the political process, as long as we offer them a doable, workable, significant project to accommodate them".<ref>Al-Hashimi, Tariq; Garrels, Anne (19 December 2006). [http://www.cfr.org/publication/12304/conversation_with_tariq_alhashimi_rush_transcript_federal_news_service.html A Conversation with Tariq al-Hashimi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209151821/http://www.cfr.org/publication/12304/conversation_with_tariq_alhashimi_rush_transcript_federal_news_service.html |date=9 February 2008 }}, transcript (edited). New York: Council on Foreign Relations, 20 December 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2009.</ref> In the same discussion, he said violence in Iraq was a result of the American military presence there and that calm would follow if America set a timetable for withdrawal.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}
In 2007, Hashimi drafted the "Iraqi National Compact", a 25‑point statement of principles that condemn all forms of extremism and sectarian discrimination. The compact calls for serious dialogue between the factions in Iraq.<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news|last=Partlow|first=Joshua|title=Top Iraqis Pull Back From Key U.S. Goal|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/07/AR2007100701448.html|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=8 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114112027/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/07/AR2007100701448.html|archive-date=14 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Hashimi announced plans to pull his political bloc out of the government and resign as vice-president on 15 May if promised constitutional changes were not made.<ref>Robertson, Nic (7 May 2007). ''[http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/07/iraq.sunnithreat/index.html Sunni demand could unravel Iraqi government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508224343/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/07/iraq.sunnithreat/index.html |date=8 May 2007 }}'' at CNN. Retrieved 15 February 2009.</ref> The other reason for his intention to resign was that according to Hashimi, Maliki had been excluding Sunnis from decision-making.<ref name=wicken/>
During his tenure as vice-president, Hashimi maintained an office located in the Yarmouk neighborhood of Baghdad.
Hashimi stepped down as secretary general of the IIP in May 2009, and Osama al Tikriti was elected to fill the position. Then Hashimi established the non-sectarian Tajdeed (Renewal) List.<ref name=wicken>{{cite web|last=Wicken|first=Stephen|title=The Hashemi Verdict and the Health of Democracy in Iraq|url=http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISWPoliticalUpdate_Hashemi-Verdict-Democracy-Iraq.pdf|publisher=ISW|accessdate=15 September 2012|format=Political Update|date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003170254/http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISWPoliticalUpdate_Hashemi-Verdict-Democracy-Iraq.pdf|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Accusations and arrest warrant== On 15 December 2011, government forces surrounded Tariq al-Hashimi's residence in the Green Zone and two of his bodyguards were detained and beaten.<ref name=mardini>{{cite web|last=Mardini|first=Ramzy|title=Iraq's first post-withdrawal crisis|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Backgrounder_PostWithdrawalCrisis.pdf|publisher=ISW|accessdate=15 September 2012|date=19 December 2011|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329034219/http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Backgrounder_PostWithdrawalCrisis.pdf|archivedate=29 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=Mardini2>{{cite web|last=Mardini|first=Ramzy|title=Iraq's Recurring Political Crisis|url=https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Backgrounder_IraqsRecurringPoliticalCrisis.pdf|publisher=ISW|accessdate=15 September 2012|date=15 February 2012|url-status = dead|archiveurl=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120308070635/http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Backgrounder_IraqsRecurringPoliticalCrisis.pdf|archivedate=8 March 2012}}</ref> On 18 December, five more of his bodyguards were arrested.<ref name=mardini /> The Iraqi government banned him from travelling abroad.<ref name=npost /> In addition, on 19 December 2011, Iraq's Judicial Council issued an arrest warrant for Hashimi, accusing him of orchestrating attacks.<ref>CNN Wire Staff (19 December 2011).''[http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/19/world/meast/iraq-vp-arrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Arrest warrant issued for Iraq's vice president] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006204345/http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/19/world/meast/iraq-vp-arrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 |date=6 October 2014 }}'' at CNN. Retrieved 19 December 2011.</ref> The arrest warrant was based on the testimony of his bodyguards, who were badly beaten and forced to make these accusations against him,<ref name=npost1912>{{cite news|title=Iraq issues arrest warrant for Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-for-vice-president-tareq-al-hashemi|access-date=9 September 2012|newspaper=National Post|date=19 December 2011|agency=Reuters|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104004936/http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/19/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-for-vice-president-tareq-al-hashemi/|archive-date=4 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and came just one day after the final U.S. troop withdrawal of remaining forces from Iraq.<ref name=khaama-11-12-20>{{cite news|url=http://www.khaama.com/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-for-sunni-vp-tariq-al-hashemi-177|title=Iraq issues arrest warrant for Sunni VP Tariq al-Hashemi|author=Ghanizada|work=Khaama Press|date=12 December 2011|accessdate=10 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423153210/http://www.khaama.com/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-for-sunni-vp-tariq-al-hashemi-177|archive-date=23 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> More specifically, Hashimi was accused of running a hit squad and killing Shiite government officials.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3395237.htm|title=Iraq's VP wanted over assassination of government officials|publisher=ABC|date=21 December 2011|accessdate=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826123704/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3395237.htm|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> One day later, Hashimi denied all charges against him in a press conference in the Kurdish regional capital Erbil,<ref name=npost>{{cite news|last=Harissi|first=Mohamad Ali|title=Iraqi vice-president Hashemi defiant in face of terror charges|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/iraqi-vice-president-hashemi-defiant-in-face-of-terror-charges|access-date=9 September 2012|newspaper=National Post|date=20 December 2011|agency=AFP|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104104253/http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/20/iraqi-vice-president-hashemi-defiant-in-face-of-terror-charges/|archive-date=4 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> to which he had fled on 18 December 2011 after being informed about the arrest warrant against him.<ref name=fox21>{{cite news|title=Iraq Vice President Denies Charges of Running Death Squads|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/iraq-vice-president-denies-charges-of-running-death-squads/|access-date=9 September 2012|publisher=Fox News|date=21 December 2011|agency=AP|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313045617/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/21/iraq-vice-president-denies-charges-running-death-squads/|archive-date=13 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The dispute between the Sunni Muslim Hashimi and the primarily Shia administration of Prime Minister Maliki generated concern over the stability of the young Iraqi government amid the ongoing sectarian conflict.<ref name=jawoshy /><ref name=BBC-12-04-02 /><ref name=cleveland>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2011/12/coordinated_bomb_blasts_kill_s.html|title=In wake of U.S. exit, bombs kill scores in Baghdad, injure hundreds|last1=Morse|first1=Dan|last2=Alwan|first2=Aziz|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=22 December 2011|accessdate=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013014631/http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2011/12/coordinated_bomb_blasts_kill_s.html|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> After the arrest warrant, the Sunni/Shia Iraqiyya party with 91 seats in parliament began a boycott that led to a standstill in the government.<ref name=alnoor>{{cite journal|last=Hedberg|first=Matthew|url=http://alnoorjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Al-Noor-Spring-2012.pdf#page=24|title=Iraq Accountability: U.S. Troop Withdrawal and the Iraq Left Behind|journal=Al Noor|year=2012|pages=25–33|accessdate=15 September 2012|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120932/http://alnoorjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Al-Noor-Spring-2012.pdf#page=24|archivedate=26 August 2014}}</ref> This boycott was only over in late January 2012 as a result of the United States' intense diplomatic pressure and efforts.<ref name=alnoor />
On 8 January 2012, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior asked the Kurdish region's Interior Ministry to extradite Hashimi to Baghdad.<ref name=Mardini2 /> During the same period, Hashimi's office in Baghdad declared that fifty-three of his bodyguards and employees had been detained by the Iraqi authorities.<ref name=Mardini2 /> Hashimi officially demanded that his trial would be in Kirkuk instead of in Baghdad due to safety concerns and higher possibility of fair trial.<ref name=Mardini2 /> However, his request was rejected by the federal court on 15 January.<ref name=Mardini2 /> President of Kurdistan Massoud Barzani declared in March 2012 that the Kurdistan Regional Government would not hand over Hashimi to Iraqi authorities because Kurdish ethics prevented them from doing so.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--[if IE 6]> <![endif]-->|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/16/201083.html|title=Iraq's Kurdish leader refuses handover of fugitive Hashemi|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=16 March 2012|accessdate=9 September 2012|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102095832/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/16/201083.html|archivedate=2 November 2012}}</ref> Hashimi denied all charges and claimed constitutional immunity from the prosecution.<ref name=BBC-12-04-02>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17583666|title=Iraq demands Qatar hand over Vice-President Hashemi|publisher=BBC News|date=2 April 2012|accessdate=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402180702/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17583666|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Then Hashimi began his visits to three countries, namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In each visit, he was received as vice president of Iraq.<ref name=wicken />
On 1 April 2012, Hashimi was allowed by the authorities in Kurdistan to travel to Qatar to meet with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, on what the Qatari administration described as an official diplomatic visit. Iraqi deputy prime minister Hussain al-Shahristani denounced the visit as unacceptable on Qatar's part and called for Hashimi to be immediately handed over.<ref name=BBC-12-04-02 /> However, Qatar refused the request of the Iraq government to extradite Hashimi, stating that extradition would be against diplomatic norms.<ref name=bbc8may>{{cite news|title=Iraq's Tariq al-Hashemi faces Interpol arrest notice|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17988571|accessdate=9 September 2012|publisher=BBC News|date=8 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902232414/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17988571|archive-date=2 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, Hashimi went to Saudi Arabia and met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal.<ref name=fnews10412>{{cite news|title=Iraq's fugitive vice president arrives in Turkey|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/iraqs-fugitive-vice-president-arrives-in-turkey/|access-date=9 September 2012|publisher=Fox News|date=10 April 2012|agency=AP|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430151323/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/04/10/iraqs-fugitive-vice-president-arrives-in-turkey/|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Then, on 10 April, Hashemi travelled to Turkey,<ref name=fnews10412 /> and was given refuge with his family.<ref name="ttel10912">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/9533574/Iraqi-vice-president-al-Hashemi-rejects-murder-conviction.html|title=Iraqi vice president al-Hashemi rejects murder conviction|date=10 September 2012|accessdate=10 September 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911015036/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/9533574/Iraqi-vice-president-al-Hashemi-rejects-murder-conviction.html|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 8 May 2012, Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest upon the request of the Iraq government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world/middleeast/interpol-issues-red-notice-for-iraqi-vice-president.html|work=The New York Times|first=Jack|last=Healy|title=Interpol Joins Effort to Find Iraq Official|date=8 May 2012|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701091836/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world/middleeast/interpol-issues-red-notice-for-iraqi-vice-president.html|archive-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=dwelle /><ref name=bbc9may>{{cite news|title=Turkey refuses to extradite Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18009408|accessdate=9 September 2012|publisher=BBC|date=9 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611112849/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18009408|archive-date=11 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The Turkish deputy prime minister stated that Hashimi would not be extradited.<ref name=bbc9may /> The Turkish government granted a residence permit for Hashimi.<ref name=milliyet>{{cite web|url=http://siyaset.milliyet.com.tr/hasimi-ye-ankara-oturma-izni-verdi/siyaset/siyasetdetay/30.07.2012/1573598/default.htm|title=Haşimi'ye Ankara oturma izni verdi (Ankara granted residence permit to Hasimi)|last1=Şardan|first1=Tolga|work=Milliyet|date=30 July 2012|accessdate=30 July 2012|archive-date=1 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801013144/http://siyaset.milliyet.com.tr/hasimi-ye-ankara-oturma-izni-verdi/siyaset/siyasetdetay/30.07.2012/1573598/default.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On October, 8th 2013 INTERPOL canceled the red notice against Al Hashimi and distributed the decision to all member States. The INTERPOL's decision read "The International Criminal Police Organization Secretariat has fully investigated the allegations against Tareq Al Hashimi. The Organizations' Secretariat believes the Iraqi government's request lacks legal justification. The Iraqi government has submitted information and documents which lacked quality. Therefore; the INTERPOL's Secretariat has decided on October, 8th 2013 to cancel the red notice against Al Hashimi and distribute the decision to all member States".<ref>{{cite web|title=INTERPOL cancels Red Notice against Iraq's former VP – Al Hashimi|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/9287-interpol-cancels-red-notice-against-iraqs-former-vp-al-hashimi|website=middleeastmonitor.com|publisher=Alamatonline|accessdate=17 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217163733/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/9287-interpol-cancels-red-notice-against-iraqs-former-vp-al-hashimi|archive-date=17 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Trial== In February 2012, a panel of Iraqi judges accused him of leading paramilitary teams to coordinate more than 150 attacks in the past six years mostly against his political opponents, Iraqi security officials and religious pilgrims.<ref name=nyt9>{{cite news|title=Death Sentence for Sunni on Day of Violence in Iraq|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/world/middleeast/insurgents-carry-out-wave-of-attacks-across-iraq.html|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 September 2012|author=Omar Al Jawoshy|author2=Michael Schwirtz|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910050756/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/world/middleeast/insurgents-carry-out-wave-of-attacks-across-iraq.html|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jaz2412>{{cite news|title='Fugitive' Iraqi vice-president visits Qatar|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124113421503449.html|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907011113/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124113421503449.html|archive-date=7 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Based on these accusations, the trial for Hashimi and his son-in-law, Ahmed Qahtan (who was also his secretary), began in May 2012.<ref name=dwelle>{{cite news|title=Iraq's fugitive president is condemned to hang|url=http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16228275,00.html|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=Deutsche Welle|date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910032512/http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16228275,00.html|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The charges against them included the murders of a female lawyer and a Shia brigadier-general.<ref name=jawoshy>{{cite news|title=Vice President of Iraq Is Given Death Sentence|accessdate=<!-- 10 September 2012 -->|newspaper=The New York Times|date=10 September 2012|author=Omar Al Jawoshy|author2=Michael Schwirtz|author3=Duraid Adnan|page=9/10/12 N.Y. Times A1}}</ref><ref name=ttelrichard/><ref name=dailystar912>{{cite news|last=Salman|first=Raheem|title=Fugitive Iraqi VP gets death sentence as bombs kill 58|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Sep-09/187265-iraq-vice-president-hashemi-sentenced-to-death-judicial-source.ashx#axzz25zVzkWkv|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=9 September 2012|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910070420/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Sep-09/187265-iraq-vice-president-hashemi-sentenced-to-death-judicial-source.ashx#axzz25zVzkWkv|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the trial also covered 150 charges against Hashimi and his bodyguards due to their alleged involvement in attacks which occurred after the invasion of Iraq.<ref name=jawoshy/><ref name=dwelle/><ref name=ttelrichard>{{cite news|last=Spencer|first=Richard|title=Iraq's vice-president Tareq al-Hashemi sentenced to death|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/9531783/Iraqs-vice-president-Tareq-al-Hashemi-sentenced-to-death.html|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910085435/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/9531783/Iraqs-vice-president-Tareq-al-Hashemi-sentenced-to-death.html|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Hashimi and his son-in-law were tried ''in absentia''.<ref name=meon>{{cite news|last=Karim|first=Ammar|title=Iraq court sentences Iraq's fugitive Vice President to death by hanging|url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=54274|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=Middle East Online|date=9 September 2012|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912234050/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=54274|archive-date=12 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In the court, Hashimi's bodyguards declared that they had been ordered and paid by him to perform the attacks.<ref name=bloom9912>{{cite news|last=Salaheddin|first=Sinan|title=Iraq's Sunni vice president sentenced to death|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-09-09/iraqi-court-sentences-sunni-vp-to-death|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=Bloomberg L.P.|date=9 September 2012|agency=AP|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912020104/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-09-09/iraqi-court-sentences-sunni-vp-to-death|archive-date=12 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 9 September 2012, he and his son-in-law were sentenced to death<ref>{{cite news|title=Insurgents Carry Out Wave of Attacks Across Iraq|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/world/middleeast/insurgents-carry-out-wave-of-attacks-across-iraq.html?_r=2&ref=world|agency=Associated Press|work=The New York Times|accessdate=9 September 2012|date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129223537/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/world/middleeast/insurgents-carry-out-wave-of-attacks-across-iraq.html?_r=2&ref=world|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> based on the verdict of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq that found him guilty of two murders.<ref name=reu9912>{{cite news|title=Fugitive Iraqi vice president sentenced to death|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-hashemi-idUSBRE88806O20120909|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 September 2012|location=Baghdad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910023051/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/09/us-iraq-hashemi-idUSBRE88806O20120909|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc912">{{cite news|title=Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi sentenced to death|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19537301|accessdate=9 September 2012|newspaper=BBC|date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909184640/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19537301|archive-date=9 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Abdul Sattar al-Berqdar, a spokesman for Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council, said that Hashimi was sentenced to hang "because he was involved directly in killing a female lawyer and a general with the Iraqi army".<ref name="CNN20120909">{{cite web|title=Fugitive Iraq VP sentenced to death, official says|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/09/world/meast/iraq-vp-death-sentence/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|publisher=CNN News|access-date=9 September 2012|author=Mohammed Tawfeeq|date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910044140/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/09/world/meast/iraq-vp-death-sentence/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|archive-date=10 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> A third charge against Hashimi was dismissed for lack of evidence.<ref name="bbc912"/> The death sentences are not final and can be appealed within 30 days.<ref name="bbc912"/><ref name="CNN20120909"/>
Hashimi was secondly tried in absentia in November 2012 for his involvement in a plot to assassinate a senior Iraqi Interior Ministry official.<ref name=rfe11112>{{cite news|title=Iraqi Vice President Sentenced To Death on Second Charge|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq-hashimi-sentenced-to-death-again/24757803.html|access-date=3 November 2012|newspaper=Radio Free Europe|date=1 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103031336/http://www.rferl.org/content/iraq-hashimi-sentenced-to-death-again/24757803.html|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> He was again sentenced in absentia to death.<ref name=rfe11112/> In addition, Hashimi was also sentenced in absentia to death three times in December 2012, making the number of the death sentences five.<ref name=nz>{{cite news|last=Whittle|first=Thomas|title=Iraqi court issues 5th death verdict against fugitive VP Hashimi|url=http://www.nzweek.com/world/iraqi-court-issues-5th-death-verdict-against-fugitive-vp-hashimi-37439/|accessdate=21 December 2012|newspaper=NZweek|date=14 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617152831/http://www.nzweek.com/world/iraqi-court-issues-5th-death-verdict-against-fugitive-vp-hashimi-37439/|archive-date=17 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Reactions=== In his closing statement, Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi, Hashimi's lawyer, said the court has been under political pressure. The presiding judge warned him that the court would open legal proceedings against the defense team if it continued to heap accusations on the court or the judicial system. Obeid also claimed that "in absentia rulings cannot be considered final or enforced. It should remain with the court until the person sentenced is handed over to authorities or arrested." Hashimi protested the sentence in a press conference in Ankara on 10 September, stating that "reconfirming my and my guards' absolute innocence, I totally reject and will never recognise the unfair, the unjust, the politically motivated verdict". Qatar-based Al Jazeera claimed that "Hashem's (Hashimi) case sparked a crisis in Iraq's government and has fuelled Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment against Maliki, who critics say is monopolising power."<ref name=aljaz1012t>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/09/201291085639667993.html|title=Iraq vice-president rejects death sentence|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=10 September 2012|accessdate=10 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912060332/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/09/201291085639667993.html|archive-date=12 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> A wave of attacks erupted the same day, killing more than 100 people.<ref name=jawoshy />
Nada al-Jabouri, a political ally of Hashimi, criticised the ruling, saying that the trial was not fair because Hashimi was not in Baghdad to defend himself. A lawmaker in Iraqiya, Nada al-Jabouri, criticised the timing of the sentence, which occurred as "Iraq is preparing for a big national reconciliation in the near future in order to achieve stability in this country."<ref name="CNN20120909" /> He added that the trial was "politically motivated."<ref name=aljaz1012t />
The political panorama around this trial included repeated clashes between Al-Maliki's government and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey over tactical help provided to Syria's President Assad by Iran, through Iraqi airspace, against the wishes of the U.S. government.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Michael R.|title=Iran Supplying Syrian Military via Iraqi Airspace|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/world/middleeast/iran-supplying-syrian-military-via-iraq-airspace.html|accessdate=12 September 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911215957/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/world/middleeast/iran-supplying-syrian-military-via-iraq-airspace.html|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Hashimi has taken a position decidedly in support of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Syrians are grateful to Turkey, says Al-Hashimi|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/tag/62972--s|publisher=Anadolu Agency|accessdate=12 September 2012|location=Istanbul|date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808061844/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/tag/62972--s|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Al-Maliki and Hashimi support opposite sides on the UN sanctions on Iran, while there are reports of some Iranian oil finding its way to Iraqi ports for export and also about smuggling of Iraqi oil into Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Says Iraqis Are Helping Iran to Skirt Sanctions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/world/middleeast/us-says-iraqis-are-helping-iran-skirt-sanctions.html?pagewanted=1&hp&pagewanted=all|accessdate=12 September 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 August 2012|author=James Risen and Duraid Adnan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811010550/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/world/middleeast/us-says-iraqis-are-helping-iran-skirt-sanctions.html?pagewanted=1&hp&pagewanted=all|archive-date=11 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category|Tariq Al-Hashimi}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061013191718/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8DE6C385-DCE8-47E4-9C66-DD1A847B823F.htm Vice-president's brother killed in Iraq]
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{succession box | before= Ghazi al-Yawar and Adil Abdul-Mahdi| title= Vice President of Iraq <br /><small> Served alongside <br /> Adil Abdul-Mahdi and Khodair al-Khozaei </small>| years= 2006–2012| after= Nouri al-Maliki }} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hashimi, Tariq al-}} Category:1942 births Category:20th-century Iraqi politicians Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Baghdad Category:Vice presidents of Iraq Category:Members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Category:Al-Mustansiriya University alumni Category:Fugitives wanted on murder charges Category:People convicted of murder by Iraq Category:People sentenced to death in absentia Category:Iraqi people convicted of murder Category:Iraqi prisoners sentenced to death Category:Fugitives wanted by Iraq Category:Iraqi Ground Forces officers Category:21st-century Iraqi politicians Category:Iraqi emigrants to Turkey Category:Iraqi Islamic Party politicians Category:20th-century Iraqi military personnel