The following is an interview of Iraqi Vice President Dr. Tareq al-Hashemi with the Arab language al-Jazeera TV.

Al-Jazeera reporter Abbos Nosser: You said this ruling was political motivated, and not a judicial verdict. How is that?
Tareq al-Hashemi: Our main problem is regarding justice, human rights and … The law we agreed to was that all Iraqis are equal in rights and duties. However, since Maliki came to power this law has been swerved.
From day one this dossier was mentioned and before my house was raided, Maliki wrote a letter blackmailing and warning me to go, rejecting the Iraqiya Coalition’s position of taking out its members from the Council of Representatives. He also rejected the Diyala Provincial Council decision based on establishing a state, saying I must go public at 10am the next morning and take a similar stance, or else I will have another destiny.
Anchorman: But your office chief of staff has confessed?
Al-Hashemi: These are fabricated; anyone who enters Maliki’s prisons ends up dead. Two of my bodyguards were murdered under torture.
Anchorman: If a fair judiciary was available, what would you say in court?
Al-Hashemi: What have I been accused of? I haven’t killed anybody. All the allegations are fabricated. They say some of my bodyguards have killed people, what is my responsibility?
Is this logical that me, the vice president, to bring a police murderer in my office and give him a $200 incentive? These are illogical remarks, meaning the vice president expresses his gratitude and gives a $200 incentive to some who has killed a police officer. The law must provide security for the suspect. How can I return when all of my bodyguards have been arrested by Maliki? I asked the UN for protection. There is no justice. Why did I ask for my complaint and dossier to be transferred to Kurdistan? Because this protection and justice is provided for. Those who have confessed said they themselves had committed the murders, and not me. Of course, these confessions are also fabricated and lies and taken under pressure and torture. I have said time and again we are not above the law, however, I need assurance on the Constitution. I reject this ruling because the judicial branch is under political influence and cruel.
Maliki has problems running the country and even with the Iraqi people. His cabinet has failed. What good has Maliki been for the people?
He has left Iraq stranded in the hands of a neighboring country to even interfere in its political decision making. What service has he provided for the people? Maliki wants to tell the people that you Shiites, you are the objective and your problem is not water and electricity.
I annihilated a person who was targeting you and was the highest ranking Sunni. Your problem is not water and electricity and Iranian interference in Iraq’s affairs. Your problem lies in Tareq al-Hashemi who kills you, meaning he seeks to create a sham crisis and make the subject religious. This is a fabricated dossier to lure the Shiite society into his own control and prepare himself for the upcoming elections. These bombings that take place in Iraq with such coordination and are so widespread, shouldn’t there be a strong party behind them? Can a group or individuals truly carry out such large number of bombings? Isn’t the government involved in it?
The timing of my verdict came out of the blue. I knew this ruling would be delivered, but not so soon. However, the party that carried these bombings was aware of the date the verdict would be issued and they were completely related.
Anchorman: The Iraqiya Coalition did not take a stance after the ruling against, or took a very soft position?
Al-Hashemi: Of course this is not true. I expect a strong stance because all leaders are targeted. They must reevaluate their opinions and take a strong and firm position. I have such an expectation from the Iraqiya Coalition and all other factions. Maliki is seeking to divide all of Iraq.
Anchorman: Isn’t there silence in Maliki’s favor?
Al-Hashemi: I think they will not set aside this position. However, you are not aware of Maliki’s vast crackdown. All leaders are targets of threats and fabricated dossiers so Maliki can justify his defeat.
Anchorman: In Turkey you were told you can stay in that country until whenever you want. Is that true?
Al-Hashemi: It is not just in Turkey. Other countries have said the same thing, but I am temporarily outside the country and I will return to Iraq to serve my nation.
Anchorman: A memorandum has been given to Interpol for you arrest. Yet, how are you traveling?
Al-Hashemi: This memorandum is not for an arrest and it is only to be informed of my whereabouts. My counsel has rejected this ruling and I have provided enough reasoning that my issue is politically motivated and not judicial at all.
Anchorman: Maliki view Turkey as an enemy. Is it possible for Turkey to damage its relations with Iraq because of you?
Al-Hashemi: Iraq is isolated and only has relations with Iran. Thanks to Maliki’s policies, Iraq has cut off its relations with Arab countries. I don’t want to be the reason for damaging relations between Iraq and Turkey, and I will leave Turkey if one day I saw that I am being the cause of such a stain in relations. Iraq is playing outside of the concert and has no consonance with the Arabic position. I have not asked protection from any country. My way is nationalistic and Iraq and I have not asked for assistance and protection from foreigners.
Maliki himself is portraying himself as sectarian. Even Muqtada Sadr has even said this. Therefore, it is not just who is saying this. Maliki’s policy of elimination is known for everyone. Maliki is a maverick in power and has set aside his political partners.
Corruption, cruelty and segregation must come to an in Iraq sooner or later. Iraq is influenced from the situation in Syria and an institutionalized government based on justice must be established in Iraq. Maliki’s policy is wrong. Maliki seeks to wreak religious sedition across the country.
Anchorman: Maliki accuses you of sectarianism?
Al-Hashemi: What have I done? I have sacrificed a sister and two brothers for my country. Maliki’s work is part of a sectarian project for the aftermath of change in Syria.