October 27, 2010. The Vatican has come out against a death sentence ordered for a former Hussein aide, Tareq Aziz. He was prosecuted by an Iraqi court for committing crimes against rival Shiite political parties. The Vatican has stated that it will petition Iraqi authorities not to execute him.  Mr. Aziz is a Christian from the Chaldean sect, and met with the late John Paul II shortly before the US led invasion of Iraq in 2003.  He quickly surrendered to American forces after the fall of Baghdad.  

Lawyers for Mr. Aziz have claimed that he was only responsible for Iraq's diplomatic and political affairs.  No date has yet been set for the execution but his lawyers are expected to appeal.  

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