Tariq Aziz's Execution to be Carried Out Once U.S. Troops Leave Iraq

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Tariq Aziz, born Mikhail Yuhanna, who served on the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council is set to be executed in 2012 once U.S. troops leave the nation according to the Iraqi prime minister's officials.

For Tariq Aziz's lawyer, Badi Arif, the announcement came at a bit of a shock since they did not expect the government 'would be that stupid'. Who expects the execution will weaken and divide the nation even further. Especially since American troops are leaving.

Captured in April of 2003 Tariq Aziz served as Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party. He and Saddam Hussein met as activists under the Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party in the 1950s. Aziz's sentence to death was brought about at trial in front of the Iraqi High Tribunal in October of 2010 which shocked his family after being read. Yet, from Tariq Aziz's various comments, it wasn't much a surprise to himself since he always knew, in his own words, "They'll find a way to kill me."

Following the sentencing Amnesty International had spoke out against the outcome of execution for Tariq Aziz seeing such an act a violation of human rights.

After the verdict was announced, Amnesty International urged Iraq not to carry out the sentences, even as it acknowledged the brutality of Hussein's regime. They were joined by the Vatican in opposition. In short, many in and outside of Iraq believe this will harm any chance of reconciliation and peace within Iraq.