In his closing statement , Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi , Hashimi 's lawyer , said the court has been under political pressure . The presiding judge warned him that the court would open legal proceedings against the defense team if it continued to heap accusations on the court or the judicial system . Obeid also claimed that " in absentia rulings can not be considered final or enforced . It should remain with the court until the person sentenced is handed over to authorities or arrested . " Hashimi protested the sentence in a press conference in Ankara on 10 September , stating that " reconfirming my and my guards ' absolute innocence , I totally reject and will never recognise the unfair , the unjust , the politically motivated verdict " . Qatar-based Al Jazeera claimed that " Hashem 's ( Hashimi ) case sparked a crisis in Iraq 's government and has fuelled Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment against Maliki , who critics say is monopolising power . " A wave of attacks erupted the same day , killing more than 100 people
A wave of attacks
9 September 2012 Iraq attacks
Tariq al-Hashimi