In what can be considered a conclusion of the bloodiest days this year for Iraq, Vice President and fugitive of Iraq, Tareqal-Hashemi was awarded the death sentence after the shi'ite dominated Baghdad was devastated by several bombs over the day which claimed the lives of at least 100 people.

The verdict against the senior Sunni leader had threatened to incite tension between the two sects of the Muslims where the government, led by the Shi'ites, is in doldrums due to instability. A Sunni Islamist insurgency nine months after U.S. troops left had been majorly responsible for the instability.

Hashemi also happened to be a severe critic of the Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. He had ignored the arrest warrant issued against him and fled. This violation had caused the collapse of the delicate agreement to share power between the Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurdish blocs.

The Sunday's judgment from the court had triggered several car bombs across six districts killing over 50 people in a restaurant, cafe and another busy commercial area.  

(AW-Anil)