Iraq: Maliki neutralises Hashemi

While Iraqi vice president Tariq Al-Hashemi remains in exile in Turkey, there is no chance of the death sentence imposed on him in absentia by a Baghdad court being carried out. In spite of his declaration of “absolute innocence” and the wave of violence which followed the verdict, it appears that Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has achieved his basic aim of neutralising a powerful opponent, although not without cost.