Iraqi politician’s plea for action after guard dies

Iraq’s fugitive vice-president has demanded that global human rights groups investigate whether one of his bodyguards was tortured to death.

Tariq al-Hashemi yesterday accused Iraq’s government of covering up the slaying of bodyguard Amir Sarbut Zaidan al-Batawi. Mr Hashemi himself is facing terrorism charges brought by the Baghdad government and is taking refuge in the Kurdish region. Many fear that with the exit of US troops in December, the heightened sectarian tensions could lead to civil war.

Iraq’s government says Mr Batawi, 33, died of kidney failure while being questioned in the inquiry against Mr Hashemi, the nation’s highest-ranking Sunni official. He is accused of directing death squads against Shiite pilgrims and officials.

Mr Hashemi claims Batawi was injured during interrogation. He said: “I beseech the international community to take action to rectify the disastrous situation and status related to human rights.”