almotamar.net google - BAGHDAD, March 17 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) on Saturday called on Iraq to hold back the execution of Taha Yassin Ramadan, former Iraqi Vice President of Saddam Hussein's regime.

German ambassador to Iraq Martin Kobler, representing the EU, conveyed an official memo to Iraqi Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi. The memo urged to halt and not authenticate the execution ruling approved by an Iraqi court.

The request would be assessed, a statement issued by Hashemi's office said, and the final decision on that matter was to be taken by the Supreme Court.

Iraq's Court of Cassations approved on March 15 the death sentence and rejected all appeals in the Iraqi High Tribunal on Ramadan for crimes against humanity.

The former vice president was originally given a life sentence over the Dujail killings, which followed a 1982 failed attempt on Saddam Hussein's life in the town. (end) mhg.