Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Ahmed Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti

Iraqi Insurgency

Iraq

20060703

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Iraq

Tariq Aziz gets 15 years for crimes against humanity

2009-03-12

Tariq Aziz, formerly the urbane, Westernised frontman for Saddam Hussein and the only Christian in the Iraqi dictator's inner circle, was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday for crimes against humanity.

Aziz, who was the face of Saddam's regime for years, looked shocked when the sentence was given out at his trial in Baghdad and asked to sit down. He has been suffering ill health for some time.

He was found guilty on four counts of crimes against humanity, including complicity in murder and torture in connection with the execution of 42 Iraqi merchants who had been accused by Saddam of being involved in increasing food prices at a time when the country was struggling under international sanctions. They were rounded up in July 1992 and executed soon after a quick trial.

Prosecutors in the trial said that the former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister was complicit in the deaths because he was a member of the ruling Revolutionary Command Council that rubber-stamped Saddam's decision to have the merchants arrested.

Aziz was one of those named on a US list of "most-wanted" regime members that was published in the form of a deck of cards. He was number 43. But the man often seen in public with a cigar in his mouth, and who tried to defend Saddam on the world stage, gave himself up soon after the fall of Baghdad in April 2003.

In court he wore a blue jacket, black shirt and his trademark thick, black-rimmed glasses. After he was sentenced he kept his eyes closed as other defendants stood up to hear their sentences.

Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabawi Ibrahim, director of public security - both half-brothers of Saddam - were sentenced to death on the same charges. Ali Hassan al-Majeed, better known as Chemical Ali - who has already been given three death sentences from previous cases - was also given a 15-year prison sentence for the death of the merchants.Three other defendants received sentences of life in prison, 15 years and six years. Issam Rashid Hweish, formerly of the Central Bank in Baghdad, was acquitted owing to lack of evidence.

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Iraq

Tariq Aziz gets 15 years in stir

2009-03-11

BAGHDAD, Iraq An Iraqi court sentenced Iraq's former foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, and Ali Hassan al-Majeed, a senior colleague of Saddam Hussein, to 15 years in prison today for their role in what the court deemed a crime against humanity, the killing of 42 merchants in Baghdad in 1992 for profiteering.

The sentence was the first against Aziz, a fluent English speaker who was the public face of Hussein's government before turning himself into U.S. authorities a month after his government fell in April 2003. It comes less than two weeks after the 73-year-old Aziz was acquitted by the same court, Iraq's highest, in another case.

Two of Hussein's half-brothers, Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, were sentenced to death for their role in the executions.

"Long live Iraq! Long live Iraq! Down with the occupiers!" Sabawi al-Hassan shouted as the verdict was read in the courtroom.

The men were among eight on trial for the killings of the Baghdad traders, accused at the time of racketeering while the country was under devastating U.N. sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. They were tried in a summary trial, then executed without being given the chance of appeal or defense.

Abed Hammoud, Hussein's secretary, was sentenced to life in prison. Mizban Khidr Hadi, a top Baath Party official, was imprisoned for 15 years. A six-year term was handed down to Ahmad Hussein Khudier, the head of the presidential office. Essam Rasheed Huwaish, then governor of the Central Bank, was acquitted.

Majeed already has three death sentences against him, the first in the case that gave him the moniker by which he is popularly known, "Chemical Ali." In June 2007, a court convicted him of genocide for ordering the deaths of tens of thousands of Kurds in the 1988 Anfal campaign, when Iraqi forces fired poison gas on villages.

Aziz was a well-known figure in Iraq, serving as foreign minister, then deputy prime minister. But he was never thought to wield real power within Hussein's inner circle. His family has complained that he is in poor health, suffering from heart and respiratory problems, along with high blood pressure and diabetes.

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Iraq

Tariq Aziz trial begins

2008-04-30

Tariq Aziz, who for years was the public diplomatic face of Saddam Husseins regime, went on trial in Baghdad on Tuesday facing charges over the execution of Iraqi merchants during the Baathist era.

Mr. Aziz, 72, who was deputy prime minister under Mr. Hussein, looked frail as he entered the court carrying a walking stick. It was the first time he has appeared to answer charges since he surrendered to American forces on April 25, 2003, two weeks after the invasion.

The case centers on the execution in 1992 of more than 40 Iraqi merchants who were accused by the regime of price-gouging in contravention of strict state controls during the era when Iraq was subject to United Nations sanctions. If convicted Mr. Aziz faces the death penalty.

Among the other defendants are Mr. Husseins half-brother Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, who is known as Chemical Ali. Mr. Majid did not attend on Tuesday because of ill health after suffering a heart attack in custody. He has already been sentenced to death in another case for war crimes over his involvement in killing tens of thousands of Kurds, including by poison gas. Judge Raouf Abdul-Rahman adjourned Tuesdays hearing until May 20, citing Mr. Majids absence.

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Iraq

Saddam's right-hand man faces trial

2008-04-24

He's waving 'goodbye' in that pic ...

FORMER Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, the public face of Saddam Hussein's regime, will face trial next week over the execution of dozens of merchants in 1992. Aziz, who also served as foreign minister under Saddam, has appeared as a witness in earlier trials of ex-regime members, but this will be the first time he has faced charges himself.

Jaffar al-Moussawi, a prosecutor with the Iraqi High Tribunal, said Aziz and several other former members of Saddam's regime would appear in court on Tuesday over the case. "Tariq Aziz will be presented for trial at the special tribunal over the execution of around 40 merchants in 1992," Mr Moussawi said today.

Asked what the specific charges would be, Mr Moussawi said: "It's believed he was involved in the case."

Another defendant will be Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan, a half-brother to Saddam. Mr Moussawi said he was interior minister when the executions took place.

The merchants were accused of increasing prices of essential goods against state policy at a time when Iraq was suffering under UN sanctions imposed for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Aziz surrendered to US forces in April 2003. He has long complained of ill health.

Starting five minutes after he was nabbed ...

The Iraqi High Tribunal was set up to try former members of Saddam's regime.

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Iraq

Iraq's list of 41 most-wanted

2006-07-03

The Iraqi government's list of 41 most-wanted people, with accusations against them and rewards for information leading to their arrest, translated from Arabic by The Associated Press. Rewards were not promised for everybody.

1 - Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, $10 million bounty. Vice president of dissolved Revolutionary Command Council.

2 - Mohammed Younis al-Ahmed al-Muwali, $1 million bounty. Former Baath Party member accused of funding and leading terrorist operations.

3 - Tahir Jalil Haboh, $1 million bounty. Former intelligence director and member of the Baath Party regional command.

4 - Saif al-Din Flayeh Hassan Taha al-Rawi, $1 million bounty. Chief of staff of the former Republican Guard.

5 - Adul-Baqi Abdul-Karim Abdullah al-Saadoun, $1 million bounty. Insurgent in Diyala province who shuttles to southern Iraq.

6 - Rashid Taan Kadhim, $1 million bounty. Leads insurgent operations in Anbar, responsible for funding terrorist operations in Diyala.

7 - Ahmed Hassan Kaka al-Obeidi, $200,000 bounty. Former intelligence officer and ex-Baath Party official.

8 - Muhdhir Abdul-Karim Thiyab Abdul-Kharbit, $50,000 bounty. Involved in "oil for food program," funds terrorist activities against Iraqi forces in Anbar and funds al-Qaida in Iraq.

9 - Omar Saabawi Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti, $50,000 bounty. Head of the former National Union of Iraqi students, chief of Saddam's Fedayeen, supports terrorism. Saddam Hussein's nephew.

10 - Rifaie Abdul-Latif Tulfah al-Tikriti, $1 million bounty. Assumed many posts under the former regime and was member of the former Baath Party, illegally transfers money across the border.

11 - Nihad Naji al-Ithari al-Dulaimi, $200,000 bounty. Former general manager in the intelligence.

12 - Hassan Hashim al-Dulaimi, $200,000 bounty. Secretary of the former finance ministry, an active former Baath Party member.

13 - Fawzi Mutlaq al-Rawi, leads a terrorist group inside Iraq, senior former Baath Party member, supports terrorism in Anbar.

14 - Abu Abdullah al-Shafie, $50,000 bounty. A leader in Ansar al-Islam group/Ansar al-Sunnah since the beginning of 2003, committed terrorist activities in Kirkuk, Nineveh, Diyala.

15 - Malla Halkord Ahmedi, $50,000 bounty. Head of Ansar al-Islam/Ansar al-Sunnah in Baghdad, he runs terrorist operations on a daily basis. A member in Ansar al-Islam before the fall of the regime, a member in the Mujahedeen Shura Council.

16 - Raghad Saddam Hussein, Saddam's daughter. Funds terrorism in Iraq, high officials in former Baath Party facilitate money transfers between her and the terrorists.

17 - Sajida Khairuallah Tulfah Hussein, Saddam's wife. Main source of guidance, logistic support, funds terrorism in Iraq. She has access to Iraqi riches stolen by Saddam.

18 - Maan Bashour, Lebanese Baathist. Has a long relationship with Saddam's regime. He recruits fighters in Lebanon to go to Iraq to support terrorist operations.

19 - Isam Khudhir Abbas al-Dulaimi, $50,000 bounty. Former director in the intelligence agency, he supports the Muhammad Army insurgent group.

20 - Ghazwan Sabti Faraj al-Kubaisi, $50,000 bounty. Senior former Baath Party member, staff major-general in the former intelligence service.

21 - Abdullah al-Janabi, $50,000 bounty. Cleric who supports and takes part in terrorism, he provides financial and moral support in Anbar.

22 - Ibrahim Yosif Turki al-Jubouri, $50,000 bounty. Commits terrorist acts in northern Iraq.

23 - Khalaf Muhammad Mukhlif al-Dulaimi (nickname Abu Marwan), former manager of "special projects," belongs to the former intelligence and after the fall of the regime he escaped Iraq with millions of dollars. Also funds, organizes and smuggles terrorists and weapons to Iraq.

24 - Abu Mtafa al-Shaibani, $200,000 bounty. Head of a terror network paramilitary located in Baghdad and southern Iraq.

25 - Ahmed Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti, unspecified reward. Funds and guides terrorists, transfers money to terrorists inside Iraq, facilitates the movements of the terrorists to Iraq. Saddam's nephew.

26 - Munthir al-Kassar, unspecified reward. Has relations with the families of elements of the former regime, arms merchants. Supplies terrorists with weapons.

27 - Ahmed Abu Sajjad al-Gharawi, unspecified reward. Head of a terrorist group in southern Iraq.

28 - Mam Abdul-Karim, unspecified reward. Senior member in Ansar al-Sunnah, he is the main facilitator for the operations, funding and communications in north Iraq.

29 -Abdul-Hadi al-Iraqi, top leader of al-Qaida in Iraq and the Mujahedeen Shura Council. He is from Nineveh.

30 - Abu Ayyub al-Masri, $50,000 bounty. New leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. He is an Egyptian and former member in the Egyptian Islamic Jihad Movement.

31 - Saad Hamid Shihab, $50,000 bounty. Facilitates money transfers to terrorists in Salahuddin and Anbar.

32 - Raad Hamid Shihab, $50,000 bounty. Senior former Baath Party official, facilitates money transfers to terror leaders in Saluhuddin and Anbar provinces.

33 - Muhammad Hisham Muhammad (nickname Mansour/Khadim el-Hsein), $50,000 bounty. Has links with Ansar al-Sunnah/Ansar al-Islam and bombmakers in Iraq, provides terrorists with bombs.

34 - Ahmed Muhammad Younis al-Ahmed al-Muwali, unspecified reward. Uses trade and travel as a cover to facilitate and fund terrorist activities.

35 - Sarhid Kadhim al-Janabi, active leader of many terrorist groups in southern Baghdad and the group involved in kidnapping and assassinating foreign and Iraqi officials.

36 - Ahmed Shawqi al-Kubaissi, group leader funding terrorist operations. He issues fatwas to kill army and police officers.

37 - Zuhair Abdul-Ghaffar al-Kubaissi, a terror leader in Baghdad. He issued a fatwa to kill Shiites and is funding hostile activities against Iraqi forces.

38 - Jamal al-Tikriti, high field leader in Omar Brigade. He attacks Iraqi forces in Baghdad with roadside bombs.

39 - Muhammad Fadhil Gharib al-Mashhadani, funds terrorism and facilitates terrorist operations in Diyala.

40 - Talib Yosif Zuwayed al-Issawi, known leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. A spiritual leader to the terrorist organizations.

41 - Sabri Khrebit al-Dulaimi (nickname Abu Ayyub), one of slain militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's aides. He had strong links with Iraqi intelligence, supervises terrorist networks.

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