Baghdad Interpol Tuesday put Iraq's fugitive vice-president Tareq Al Hashemi — who is reported to be in Turkey — on its most-wanted list after issuing a ‘red notice' for him.
The organisation said the move came at the request of the Iraqi government.
Iraq has charged Al Hashemi — one of the nation's highest-ranking Sunni politicians — with terrorism, accusing him of guiding and financing death squads that targeted government officials, security forces and Shiites.
Al Hashemi is being tried in absentia in Baghdad. The Shiite-led government links him to about 150 bombings, assassinations and other attacks. It says the death squads largely comprised the vice-president's bodyguards and other employees.
Trial delayed
Al Hashemi's trial was postponed last week as his lawyers appealed to have parliament create a special court to hear the case. The vice-president has vowed not to return to face what he calls politically motivated charges.
Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said the red notice for Al Hashemi "will significantly restrict his ability to travel and cross international borders".
"It is a powerful tool that will help authorities around the world locate and arrest him," Noble said.
A red notice by Interpol seeks the arrest or provisional arrest of a wanted person with a view to eventual extradition.
The subjects of red notices are considered to be on the organisation's most-wanted list.
