Fugitive Iraqi VP Tariq al-Hashemi rejects guilty verdict

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Fugitive Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi has rejected a guilty verdict and death sentence passed on him in absentia as "politically motivated".In remarks at a press conference in neighbouring Turkey, he launched a stinging attack on the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.On Sunday, an Iraqi court found Hashemi guilty because of killing hundreds of Shia and Sunni people.Mr Hashemi was the most pro U.S. politician in Iraq and his case has sparked a political crisis.Mr Hashemi insisted he was innocent of the charges and said he would continue to serve his country.He described the verdict as a "medal on my chest"./129