Tariq al-Hashimi: Navigating Iraq's Political Labyrinth
An academic examination of a pivotal Iraqi politician's journey through leadership, controversy, and legal challenges in a nation striving for stability.
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Overview
A Prominent Iraqi Statesman
Tariq al-Hashimi, born in Baghdad in 1942, is an influential Iraqi politician who held the significant office of Vice President of Iraq from 2006 to 2012. As a leading Sunni figure, he succeeded Ghazi al-Yawar in this role, representing a crucial demographic in Iraq's complex political landscape. He also served as the general secretary of the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) until May 2009, a major Sunni political bloc.[2]
Early Life and Military Service
Al-Hashimi's foundational years were marked by both military discipline and academic pursuit. He studied at the Baghdad Military Academy from 1959 to 1962, earning a commission as a lieutenant in an artillery battalion. His intellectual interests led him to pursue higher education, culminating in a bachelor's degree in economics in 1969 and a master's degree in 1978 from Al-Mustansiriya University.[2] He left the Iraqi Army at 33 to engage with the Iraqi Islamic Party.
Political Career
Sunni Leadership and Alliances
As the leader of the Iraqi Accord Front, the largest Sunni bloc spearheaded by the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP), al-Hashimi played a central role in Iraqi politics. While the bloc participated in the 2005 elections, it later withdrew.[5] In 2006, he was reportedly involved in efforts to form a multi-sectarian alliance, with encouragement from U.S. President George W. Bush, aimed at counterbalancing the influence of Muqtada al-Sadr.[8]
Key Political Stances
Al-Hashimi's political platform was characterized by several key positions:
- Opposition to federalism, advocating for provincial inhabitants to decide on forming federal regions.[7]
- Demand for oil revenues to be distributed based on population.
- Call for the reversal of de-Baathification policies.
- Advocacy for increased Sunni representation within the military and police forces.[6]
He also expressed willingness to cooperate with Turkey against the Kurdish Workers Party in 2007.[9]
Views on Resistance and Withdrawal
In a notable discussion in December 2006, al-Hashimi distinguished between Al-Qaeda and other fighters, whom he referred to as the "resistance." He suggested that these resistance groups were open to political participation if a viable project was offered.[10] He further asserted that violence in Iraq stemmed from the American military presence and that stability would follow a clear timetable for withdrawal.[10]
The Iraqi National Compact and Resignation
In 2007, al-Hashimi drafted the "Iraqi National Compact," a 25-point declaration promoting dialogue and condemning extremism and sectarian discrimination.[11] He threatened to withdraw his political bloc from the government and resign as Vice President if promised constitutional changes were not implemented, citing the exclusion of Sunnis from decision-making by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.[12] He eventually stepped down as secretary general of the IIP in May 2009, subsequently establishing the non-sectarian Tajdeed (Renewal) List.[13]
Accusations & Warrant
The December 2011 Crisis
A significant political crisis erupted on 15 December 2011, when government forces surrounded Tariq al-Hashimi's residence in Baghdad's Green Zone, leading to the detention and alleged beating of two of his bodyguards.[7] Days later, five more bodyguards were arrested, and al-Hashimi was banned from international travel.[7][15]
Arrest Warrant and Flight
On 19 December 2011, Iraq's Judicial Council issued an arrest warrant for al-Hashimi, accusing him of orchestrating attacks, specifically of running a hit squad responsible for killing Shiite government officials.[16] This warrant, based on testimony from his bodyguards who claimed they were coerced,[17] came just after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. Al-Hashimi denied all charges from Erbil, the Kurdish regional capital, where he had fled.[15][20]
International Refuge and Diplomatic Tensions
Following the warrant, al-Hashimi sought refuge, traveling to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and ultimately Turkey, where he was received as Iraq's Vice President.[13] Iraq's demands for his extradition were refused by Qatar, citing diplomatic norms,[26] and Turkey granted him and his family asylum and a residence permit.[28][32]
Interpol Red Notice and Its Cancellation
On 8 May 2012, Interpol issued a Red Notice for al-Hashimi's arrest at Iraq's request.[29] However, in a significant development on 8 October 2013, Interpol canceled the Red Notice, stating that the Iraqi government's request lacked legal justification and that the submitted information and documents were of insufficient quality.[33] This decision was distributed to all member states.
The Trial
Allegations and Proceedings
In February 2012, an Iraqi judicial panel accused al-Hashimi of orchestrating over 150 attacks against political opponents, security officials, and religious pilgrims over six years.[34] His trial, alongside his son-in-law Ahmed Qahtan, commenced in May 2012. The charges included the murders of a female lawyer and a Shia brigadier-general, among others.[21][36]
Verdicts in Absentia
Both al-Hashimi and his son-in-law were tried in absentia, meaning they were not present in court.[38] During the proceedings, al-Hashimi's bodyguards testified that they had been ordered and compensated by him to carry out the attacks.[39] On 9 September 2012, the Central Criminal Court of Iraq sentenced al-Hashimi and his son-in-law to death for two murders, specifically those of the female lawyer and the brigadier-general.[40][43]
Multiple Death Sentences
The initial death sentence was not the only one. In November 2012, al-Hashimi was again tried in absentia and sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate a senior Iraqi Interior Ministry official.[44] By December 2012, he had received three additional death sentences in absentia, bringing the total to five.[45]
Reactions & Context
Al-Hashimi's Rejection and Legal Arguments
In his closing statement, al-Hashimi's lawyer, Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi, asserted that the court was under political pressure and that in absentia rulings could not be considered final or enforced. Al-Hashimi himself vehemently rejected the sentence in a press conference in Ankara on 10 September, declaring it "unfair, unjust, and politically motivated," and affirming his and his guards' innocence.[46]
Political Fallout and Sectarian Tensions
The case significantly exacerbated political tensions in Iraq, fueling Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment against Prime Minister Maliki, who critics accused of monopolizing power.[46] A wave of attacks erupted on the same day as the initial death sentence, resulting in over 100 fatalities, underscoring the volatile political climate.[21] Political allies, such as Nada al-Jabouri, criticized the timing of the sentence, arguing it was politically motivated and detrimental to national reconciliation efforts.[43]
Geopolitical Undercurrents
The trial unfolded against a backdrop of complex regional geopolitics. Clashes between al-Maliki's government and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey were ongoing, particularly concerning Iran's alleged use of Iraqi airspace to supply Syrian President Assad, against U.S. wishes.[47] Al-Hashimi had openly supported the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia.[48] Furthermore, al-Maliki and al-Hashimi held opposing views on UN sanctions against Iran, with reports of Iraqi oil smuggling also surfacing.[49]
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