BAGHDAD: An Iraqi appeals court has rejected a request to have President Jalal Talabani testify in the terror trial against the nation’s vice president.
The decision was announced Tuesday by defense lawyers to Vice President Tariq Al-Hashemi as the trial against him resumed.
Al-Hashemi had wanted Talabani, an ethnic Kurd, to serve as a character witness to help his case.
There was no immediate explanation as to why the appeals court rejected the request.
Al-Hashemi is one of Iraq’s highest-ranking Sunni officials. He is accused of running death squads against Shiites and government security forces in a case that has exacerbated sectarian tensions around the country.
Al-Hashemi has denied the charges but has fled Iraq. He was last seen in Turkey. His trial is scheduled to continue on Aug. 14.
Iraq president’s testimony rejected in trial of VP
