Saddam confidant sentenced to death by hanging

Iraqi state TV says former Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz has been sentenced to death for persecuting Shiite political parties during Saddam Hussein's regime. State TV reported the High Criminal Court issued the death sentence on Tuesday.

Aziz was charged with taking part in a campaign against members of the Dawa Party, of which Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is a member. (AP)