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© Saad Shalash/ReutersIraqi vice-president, Tareq al-Hashemi, denies all the charges against him, saying that they are politically motivated.
Tareq al-Hashemi, who is thought to be in Istanbul, is subject to red notice issued at request of Iraq over death squad claims

Interpol has called for help in arresting fugitive Iraqi vice-president Tareq al-Hashemi on suspicion of planning and funding attacks in Iraq.

Hashemi, a leading Sunni Muslim politician, fled Baghdad in December when the Shia-led government accused him of running death squads.

The vice-president, who is thought to be in Istanbul, has denied the charges, saying they are politically motivated. He has refused to stand trial in Baghdad.

Interpol, which is based in France, said on Tuesday it had issued the "red notice" arrest alert at the request of Iraqi authorities.

The notice did not amount to an international arrest warrant, it added, but was a call on forces in its 190 member countries to help locate Hashemi and bring him to justice.

There was no immediate reaction from Turkey which is a member of Interpol.

"At the request of Iraqi authorities, Interpol has published a red notice for Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi on suspicion of guiding and financing terrorist attacks in the country," said Interpol.

Its secretary general, Roland Noble, added that the notice would significantly restrict Hashemi's movements.

Source: Reuters

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