Updated at 12:23 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2012
At a press conference in Turkey, Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi spoke out against the death sentence that he claims was orchestrated against him. Meanwhile, at least 27 Iraqis were killed and 107 more were wounded in ongoing violence, which re-erupted yesterday. Also, Turkey claimed the deaths of 25 rebels in northern Iraq operations.
Fugitive Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi openly mocked yesterday’s court verdict in which he was sentenced to hang for his involvement in two terrorism cases. Calling the judgment a "medal on [his] chest," Hashemi asked his followers to show restraint responding to the decision. Many, including Hashemi, believe the Maliki administration manipulated the court proceedings. He also charged Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki with increasing sectarianism, corruption and discrimination in Iraq. Despite having found refuge in Turkey, Hashemi says he will continue to work for the benefit of Iraqis. The verdict also ignited debate among the political parties in Iraq.
Turkey says 25 Kurdish rebels were killed during recent air strikes in northern Iraq. Due to the remoteness of the area, independent confirmation is unavailable. Iraq has not given Turkey permission to stage cross-border operations, but Turkey has ignored all calls to stop.
At least 22 Iraqis were killed and 93 more were wounded in attacks. Many of the casualties occurred in yesterday’s bloodshed, but went unreported.
In Sadr City, a second car bomb late yesterday added at least four dead and 42 injured to yesterday’s figures. The toll from an earlier bombing was revised upward to 13 dead and 32 wounded, adding another two dead and 12 wounded to the figures.
In Baghdad, a booby-trapped car exploded in the Bayaa district, killing eight people and wounding 32 more.
Four policemen were killed while defusing a bomb in Mandali.
A car bomb targeting an Arab councilman in Kirkuk wounded four people including the councilman. Gunmen killed a high-ranking official.
Two civilians were killed and three soldiers were wounded when a sticky bomb exploded as the civilians’ car approached a Hilla checkpoint.
In Falluja, a suicide bomber was killed when he set off his explosives; no other casualties were reported. Two policemen were wounded in a roadside bombing.
In Samarra, two gunmen were killed and three policemen were wounded in an attack on a checkpoint. Two alleged al-Qaeda members were killed in clashes.
An I.E.D. killed one policeman and wounded two civilians in Mosul.
A roadside bomb near an al-Dour barbershop left four people with injuries.
In Balad Ruz, two civilians were wounded in a roadside blast.
A grenade tossed at an Abu Saida home wounded one person.
