In response to the death sentence issued for Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, Iraqi sheikh councils, tribal dignitaries, civil society organizations and political parties across the country issued separate statements condemning this measure. They demanded respective government organs to intervene in this regard to condemn and prevent the implementation of this sentencing.

The Iraqi National Tribal Council in Baghdad announced, “Through the media we have been informed of the Iraqi judiciary’s fabricated verdict based on executing Dr. Tareq al-Hashemi, one of Iraq’s nationalistic and patriotic leaders. This sentencing clearly indicates Maliki’s hatred of this national leader of the Iraqi people, and obviously shows Maliki’s deep influence over the Iraqi judiciary, reaching a point that in this sham trial the judge was changed on the day the ruling was to be delivered and another judge was brought solely for this purpose.
“We consider these rulings as in line with advancing Maliki’s dictatorship policies having no tolerance for any opposing voice. Through threats and enticement, creating a climate of fear and killing sprees, Maliki intends to silence any voice demanding freedom in Iraq. We strongly condemn this verdict and call on relevant international organizations to follow up and intervene in this subject.”

The Diyala National Tribal Council issued a statement announcing, “Today we received the news of the Iraqi Criminal Court’s cruel verdict on the trial in absentia and the death sentencing against Iraqi Vice President Dr. Tareq al-Hashemi. This venomous decision is nothing but avenging Iraq’s nationalistic figures and the judicial branch surrendering to the executive branch under pressures enforced by the Iranian regime. This verdict has not undergone any legal and judicial trend and therefore, it is a political ruling rather than a judicial measure. This has provoked a wave of anger and dissatisfaction in the international political scene. Thus, we demand the relevant international organizations to condemn this verdict.”