A lawyer for one of Saddam Hussein's top aides in U.S. custody says a detained Iraqi female scientist is dying of cancer and should be freed immediately.
Badee Izzat Aref, representing former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz says Mr. Aziz told him of Huda Ammash's deteriorating condition. He called on international humanitarian agencies to intervene for her release.
It is not clear how Mr. Aziz knew about Mrs. Ammash's condition, or if she indeed has cancer.
Mrs. Ammash, who is also known as "Mrs. Anthrax," has been in U.S. custody since May 2003. She was the only woman among 55 most-wanted members of Saddam's regime.
Officials hope she may provide information about Saddam's alleged weapons of mass destruction, a key reason the U.S. launched its invasion of Iraq in April 2003.