Iraqi VP says innocent, terror trial a sham

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraq's fugitive Sunni vice president says the terror trial that convicted him of masterminding death squads against rivals was illegitimate and is accusing the nation's Shiite prime minister of being behind it.

Tariq al-Hashemi maintained his innocence Monday at a news conference in Turkey, where he is in exile.

Al-Hasemi was convicted Sunday of organizing death squads that killed a Baghdad lawyer and a government security official.

The Baghdad court sentenced him to death by hanging.