Norwegian doctor Gilbert, who had treated patients during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Beirut and later in Palestinian territories, speaks about his new mission
Attorney Giovanni Di Stefano said Aziz’s defense team would ask for the pardon instead of appealing his death sentence, handed down last month for the Saddam-era persecution of Shiite Muslim political parties.
It’s a risky legal move, considering Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has granted few, if any, pardons in his more than five-year tenure and could be prevented from doing so in this case. But it comes amid pleas from the Vatican and several anti-death penalty nations in Europe for amnesty for Aziz, the only Christian in Saddam’s inner circle.
“This could be the diplomatic solution people have been waiting for,” Di Stefano said in an interview Monday.
Aziz “does not want special treatment because he is a Christian,” Di Stefano said. “He seeks the pardon as a step toward reconciliation of Iraq. Enough people have been killed, enough people have been executed.”
A Talabani spokesman could not immediately be reached Monday evening for comment.
Last week, the Iraqi president said he would not sign Aziz’s death warrant, explaining that he believed it was wrong to execute the 74-year-old Christian. But there are ways in Iraq’s constitution to bypass the president in capital cases — such as an act of parliament or the approval of one of Talabani’s deputies.
Additionally, the constitution says Iraq’s president can only grant pardons “on the recommendation of the prime minister.” Iraq’s current prime minister is Nouri al-Maliki, whose Shiite Dawa party was the main victim of the crimes Aziz was convicted of committing.
Di Stefano dismissed the constitutional limits as “no problem” and predicted the pardon would be granted.
Norwegian doctor Gilbert, who had treated patients during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Beirut and later in Palestinian territories, speaks about his new mission
The Zadna Rating app will provide information about food establishments across 9,000 venues in the capital city
Competing at Japan's prestigious Taiheiyo Club in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) has ignited the 17-year-old's determination for a breakthrough year ahead
Wait times can vary significantly based on the applicant's passport and the country from which they are applying
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed to the international community to put pressure on Israel for a ceasefire
Generally, commission accounts for 2 per cent of the sale value and 5 per cent of the annual rental, excluding 5 per cent value-added tax
The Roads and Transport Authority offers multiple ways for motorists to pay their parking fees without having to do it physically
Year of war generates at least 42 million tonnes of rubble; UN estimate shows debris clearance might cost $1.2 billion; Piled up, rubble would fill Great Pyramid of Giza 11 times