Tariq Aziz, former deputy prime minister and aide to Saddam Hussein, was sentenced on Wednesday to fifteen years imprisonment for the killing of 42 merchants in 1992 who allegedly exploited economic sanctions. Aziz has been in custody since the 2003 arrest of Saddam Hussein. He denies any responsibility and his lawyer claims Aziz was not in Iraq when the men were killed. High ranking official Ali Hassan al-Majid has also been sentenced to an additional fifteen years on top of the three life sentences he had previously been given, and two of Saddam Hussein's half brothers Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan, former head of public security, and Sabaawi Ibrahim, former interior minister, have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in the killings, which the judge deemed a "premeditated crime against humanity".
The sentences given out today come as part of the contentious Iraqi High Tribunal process. This was Aziz's first conviction under the tribunal, having been acquitted last week for playing a part in the murder of Shia Muslims in 1999. Aziz's lawyer said the verdict was politically motivated and expressed plans to appeal the decision.
Aziz and al-Majid also face charges of orchestrating the use of Kurdish civilians as human shields, and of gassing civilians in chemical weapons testing. Other top former members of Saddam Hussein's administration were also given harsh sentences.
Senior rebel leader killed says Sri Lankan army
Heavy violence persists in north-east Sri Lanka according to reports from both sides. The Tamil Tigers rebels and Sri Lankan government forces have been engaged in ongoing fighting which has intensified after the recent targeting of a government minister. The army claims to have killed senior rebel leader Sabaratnam Selvathurai, although reports cannot be verified due to heavy restrictions on media coverage in the region. The separatist website Tamilnet claims rebels have killed fifty soldiers and seized army weapons.
Rebels shot dead by police in Algeria
Police have shot dead three rebels in the Algerian town of Souk el Thenine in the province of Tizi Ouzou after a suicide bomber killed himself and two other people last week. Violence has been intermittent since 1992 when the then military government prevented an Islamist party from taking power. Political aggression in Algeria killed 33 people last month and there are fears that extremist rebels may increase attacks in the run up to presidential elections in early April. The government is adamant that it will meet any threat posed by rebels.
Pakistan opposition officials arrested in run up to protests
In a security clampdown Pakistan's government has ordered opposition officials be put under house arrest in a drastic move to thwart anti-government rallies due to take place on Thursday. Hundreds of campaigners and lawyers were arrested today in the drive. There are also reports that the government has called for the arrests of Pakistan Muslim League (N) party leader Nawaz Sharif, and his brother Shabhaz Sharif, Imran Khan, the former Pakistan cricket captain and head of Tehreek-e-Insaf, as well as the head of Jamat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed. The planned protests are against the removal of judges from office by former president Pervez Musharraf. This comes in the aftermath of the attacks by gunmen on the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team. Since the incident last week there has been a ban on all public gatherings.
Madagascar could be on the brink of civil war
US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquardt, has expressed fears of an impending civil war following the forced resignation of army chief Edmond Rasolofomahandry and the defence minister by dissidents. Newly appointed head of army Andre Andriarijaona defended the ousting of the previous army leader on the grounds that it allowed greater "cohesion". Since the beginning of the year, President Marc Ravalomanana's administration has clashed with the opposition led by Andry Rajoelina, with over one hundred people killed in related violence.
People throughout Ireland protest at murders
Thousands of people took to the streets in protest at the recent murder of a policeman and two soldiers in Northern Ireland. Four other people were also injured in the attack and two suspects are still being questioned. Silent peace protests were held in cities and towns throughout Northern Ireland, and several politicians including Gordon Brown and chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs committee Sir Patrick Cormack, expressed their support. Police officials from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are due to meet this week to discuss the threat of republican terrorism. British and Irish ministers have vowed the peace process will not be affected by the attacks.
Somalia to implement Sharia-based law
Sharia or Islamic law will be implemented as the foundation of Somalia's legal system in a bid to isolate militia groups and foster solidarity in the country. The Somali cabinet voted in favour of the move on Tuesday. Several militant groups including the influential Islamic party have said they will put a stop to violent attacks if sharia law is declared. Other groups have refused to acknowledge the change. The bill is still to be approved by parliament.
