Iraq's judiciary has said the country's fugitive Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, has been charged with murdering six judges and a series of other killings.
Hashemi, one of Iraq's top Sunni politicians, has been accused of running death squads against Shi'ite and government officials.
Hashemi fled Baghdad in December when the Shi'ite-led central government issued an arrest warrant for him.
He is now in Istanbul and is not expected to attend the trial when it begins on May 3.
Hashemi said the charges are politically motivated.
Hashemi, one of Iraq's top Sunni politicians, has been accused of running death squads against Shi'ite and government officials.
Hashemi fled Baghdad in December when the Shi'ite-led central government issued an arrest warrant for him.
He is now in Istanbul and is not expected to attend the trial when it begins on May 3.
Hashemi said the charges are politically motivated.