Posted on 04/02/2007 6:25:30 AM PDT by Int
dubai • Iraqi former deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz wants to live in Rome after his release from jail, believing he will be welcomed in the Italian capital, an Arab newspaper reported yesterday.
Aziz’s plans were revealed by his lawyer in Baghdad last week, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al Awsat said.
“I want to live in Rome. The Pope and Italian officials welcomed me,” Aziz said in answer to a question about his future hopes delivered via his lawyer.
Aziz was the only Christian member of Saddam Hussein’s cabinet and frequently met Pope John Paul II and his close advisers, the last time in mid-February 2003, barely a month before the beginning of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The 71 year old surrendered to US troops in Iraq in April 2003. Since then he has been imprisoned at Camp Cropper, a holding centre near Baghdad international airport.
Aziz is suspected of involvement in the execution of dozens of members of the former Baath regime in 1979 and mass killings of Shi’ites and Kurds in 1991, but his legal representatives say he has yet to be charged.
Earlier this month, he was brought to the High Tribunal to give evidence against defendants in the Anfal trial of Saddam aides charged with involvement in the killing of up to 182,000 Iraqi Kurds in the late 1980s.
Aziz’s lawyer, Issam Al-Ghazawi, said he expected his client to be released within two to three months when the Anfal trial was completed and he was no longer needed to testify.
Saddam was executed last December after being found guilty of crimes against humanity in a previous trial, but the Kurdish genocide trial is continuing with several of his former allies still in the dock.
Then Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was a key US-ally in the invasion of Iraq despite popular opposition, but his centre-left successor Romano Prodi has since withdrawn Italian troops from the country.
Meanwhile, a policemen suspected of killing 70 Sunni Arabs in Iraq this week have been rearrested after being freed to mourn their relatives killed in a truck bombing in the same town, police said yesterday.
On Tuesday, gunmen believed to off-duty policemen, went on a rampage killing Sunni Arabs in the town of Tal Afar after a truck bomb killed 85 people in a Shiite district.
A group of policemen was briefly detained but later released to mourn the deaths of their relatives from the suicide truck bombing.
This little birdie sung to get his new home.
Why not the French Riviera?
I can't see how he managed to esape the noose.
"Aziz’s lawyer, Issam Al-Ghazawi, said he expected his client to be released within two to three months when the Anfal trial was completed and he was no longer needed to testify."
Wow. Goebbels should have waited a little longer after Hitler committed suicide. He could have gotten a sweetheart deal like Aziz. At least Aziz didn't kill his family, being Christian and all. I'm sure Heaven is open to lackeys and psychophants of murdering genocidal leaders. "Don't Cry For Me Baghdaaaaaaaaaaaaad..."
Thanks for posting. Very interesting.
The WMD's will "turn up" if this guy gets released.
Bush may yet get the last laugh.
Tariq is going to attend any necktie party if he
can help it.
BTW....if Sadam had taken the deal 4 years ago, and just left Iraq, he could be living the good life in Florida as we speak. But alas, and fortunately for us, he choose war, and got his butt hanged for his decision.
There is something about absolute power that I clearly do not understand.
Aziz would make a great campaign strategist for Hillary as his experience working for Saddam would have been great training. Baghdad Bob would also make a great replacement for Katie Couric.
in a wooden box.
Any truth to the rumor he's going to announce Cubs games?
Any truth to the rumor he's going to announce Cubs games?
Say the magic word and the bird will come down and give you a hundred dollars.
Aziz is missing an opportunity. The time is right for an updated version of the old Groucho Marx game show, "You Bet Your Life".
LMAO!!!
Cubs win! Cubs win!
My my, he's a handsome devil isn't he?
I read his Lawyer spinning but I do not read anything by us.
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