Iraq Demands Handover Of Sunni Vice President

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi

Iraq has formally asked authorities in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region to hand over Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi and 12 of his entourage to face charges of running death squads.

A judicial spokesman for the Kurds, Dadyar Hamid, said the request had been received, but he declined to say whether the Kurdish authorities would comply.

Iraq's Shi'ite-led government issued an arrest warrant for the Sunni politician in mid-December, shortly after the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops.

Hashimi denies the allegations and says he cannot get a fair trial in Baghdad.

compiled from agency reports