Vatican is against the execution of Tarek Aziz

(Oct.27,2010) The Vatican has asked Iraq not to execute Tarek Aziz, the deputy prime minister of former President Saddam Hussein's regime, as the act will not favour reconciliation, or the reconstruction of peace in the country. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, issued the Vatican statement on Tuesday, Oct. 26, the day the Iraqi High court sentenced 74-year-old Aziz to death by hanging for involvement in the suppression of religious political parties. "The position of the Catholic Church on the death penalty is well known," Vatican’s statement affirmed. “Therefore it is truly to be hoped, that the sentence against Tarek Aziz will not be carried out, precisely in order to favour reconciliation and the reconstruction of justice and peace in Iraq, after the great suffering it has undergone." Fr.Lombardi said that the Vatican would not be involved in a public humanitarian intervention, but might use diplomatic channels to intervene in the case.
Aziz, a Catholic, served as deputy prime minister to Saddam Hussein from 1979-2003. Currently in prison and in poor health, Aziz has 30 days to appeal. His Jordan-based lawyer told the Associated Press they were consulting about their next moves.