Official: Tariq Aziz has legal protection

BAGHDAD, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Former Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz is receiving all necessary legal assistance in accordance with the law, an Iraqi government spokesman said Wednesday.

Aziz, a Christian, and seven other defendants face war crimes charges in an Iraqi court for ordering the execution in 1992 of several businessmen who had protested rising food prices in the wake of U.N. sanctions on the former regime.

Aziz is being afforded all rights under the law, including adequate food, medical treatment and contact with family members, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Voices of Iraq.

The spokesman added the accused is afforded legal protection not offered by the former regime.

Aziz allegedly is in poor health following a heart attack in December 2007 while in U.S. custody. He faces the death sentence if convicted.

He served as the foreign minister under Saddam Hussein as well as deputy premier. He turned himself in to U.S. officials in April 2003.