I never killed anyone, says Aziz

Tariq Aziz, the urbane, English-speaking envoy of the former Iraqi regime, argued today that he was not personally responsible for any murders during his appearance before an Iraqi judge.

Aziz, a former foreign minister and deputy prime minister, was among 12 defendants, including Saddam Hussein, who appeared before the judge in Baghdad to hear charges against them.

Aziz, the only Christian in the Baath party leadership, asked the judge for an Arab non-Iraqi lawyer and a “foreign lawyer as well”.

“I need to know. Are these charges personal?” he asked. “Is it Tariq Aziz who is accused of these killings?

“If there was a crime the moral responsibility rests with the leadership. But a member of the leadership cannot be personally responsible. I never killed anybody by any direct act.”