An Iraqi court has postponed for the second time the terrorism trial in absentia of Iraqi fugitive Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, who is accused of running death squads.
The Baghdad court on May 10 pushed back the case until at least May 15 after Hashemi's lawyers formally demanded that parliament create a special tribunal to hear the case.
Hashemi denies the charges, saying the case against him has been orchestrated by his Iraqi Shi'ite political enemies.
Hashemi, one of Iraq's highest-ranking minority Sunni politicians, is accused of running death squads that targeted Shi'ite officials and pilgrims.
He has fled Iraq and is currently in neighboring Turkey.
Turkish officials announced on May 9 that they will not extradite Hashemi to Baghdad.
The trial officially opened May 3, but the hearing was delayed for a week later that day.
The Baghdad court on May 10 pushed back the case until at least May 15 after Hashemi's lawyers formally demanded that parliament create a special tribunal to hear the case.
Hashemi denies the charges, saying the case against him has been orchestrated by his Iraqi Shi'ite political enemies.
Hashemi, one of Iraq's highest-ranking minority Sunni politicians, is accused of running death squads that targeted Shi'ite officials and pilgrims.
He has fled Iraq and is currently in neighboring Turkey.
Turkish officials announced on May 9 that they will not extradite Hashemi to Baghdad.
The trial officially opened May 3, but the hearing was delayed for a week later that day.
