Former Iraqi deputy PM, Tariq Aziz, who served under Saddam Hussein, dies in prison

06 June,2015 08:46 AM IST |   |  IANS

Former deputy prime minister of Iraq, Tariq Aziz, who served in Saddam Hussein's regime, died on Friday after suffering a heart attack in prison, an Iraqi official said


Baghdad: Former deputy prime minister of Iraq, Tariq Aziz, who served in Saddam Hussein's regime, died on Friday after suffering a heart attack in prison, an Iraqi official said. "The authorities of Nasriyah prison admitted the prisoner Tariq Aziz to al-Hussein hospital in the city of Nasriyah, some 375 km south of Baghdad, after he suffered from heart attack.

He was announced dead on Friday afternoon," Adel Dekhil, deputy to the Nasriyah provincial governor, said in a press release, Xinhua reported. Aziz had repeatedly been admitted to hospital because he was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, Dekhil said, adding that his body will be delivered to his family later.

Aziz, 79, was the only Christian in Saddam's regime. He was known as a fierce American critic after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent 1990-1991 Gulf War. Aziz surrendered to the US troops in his house without resistance on April 24, 2003, shortly after the fall of Baghdad.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Related Stories