Interpol issues alert for Iraq's Hashemi

LYON, France, May 8 (UPI) -- Interpol says it has issued an international alert for the arrest of Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi on suspicion of terrorism.

Interpol said Hashemi is suspected of guiding and financing terrorist attacks in Iraq.

The Interpol red notice was requested by the Iraqi government after Iraq's Judicial Investigative Authority issued a national warrant.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accused Hashemi of operating a death squad and called for his arrest. Hashemi fled the country shortly after the arrest warrant was issued.

"The Interpol Red Notice against Tariq al-Hashemi will significantly restrict his ability to travel and cross international borders. It is a powerful tool that will help authorities around the world locate and arrest him," Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said Tuesday in a written statement.

While a red notice is not an international arrest warrant, many member countries consider it a valid request for provisional arrest, Interpol said.