Iraq has formally asked the Kurdish regional government to hand over Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi and 12 of his entourage to face charges in Baghdad of running death squads.
An arrest warrant was issued for him in mid-December, shortly after the withdrawal of the last United States troops.
Mr Hashemi denies the charges and travelled to the Kurdish region after the government sought his arrest. He has said he cannot get a fair trial in Baghdad.
The Kurdish Judiciary Council has confirmed it has received the request, but declined to say if it would turn Hashemi over.
