Catholic World News News Feature

Ex-Iraqi official seeks Vatican protection January 17, 2007

Tariq Aziz, who served as deputy prime minister of Iraq under Saddam Hussein, has issued a plea to the Italian government and the Vatican for permission to live in Rome while he awaits trial on human-rights charges.

Giovanni DiStefano, an Italian lawyer for the former Iraqi official, explained that his client would like the Italian government and/or the Vatican to guarantee that he will appear to appear when his case is ready for trial. DiStefano said that he is asking the Iraqi court to release Aziz on bail.

Aziz was arrested in 2003, shortly after the US-led invasion of Iraq. He is now being held by US forces in Baghdad. He has insisted that he was not involved in the human-rights violations for which Saddam Hussein was convicted and executed.

Tariq Aziz, a Chaldean Catholic, has appealed to the Holy See in the past for help in obtaining medical treatment during his incarceration. His attorney said that his health has been fragile since a heart attack shortly before the 2003 war.

Aziz visited the Vatican in February 2003 to seek the help of Pope John Paul II in preventing the invasion of Iraq. After his meeting with the Pontiff the Iraqi leader made a pilgrimage to Assisi to pray for peace at the shrine there.