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| 11 April 2005 | Monday | 01 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426 |
Al Qaeda kills Najaf police chief
The group, led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posted a picture of an identification card bearing the name Brigadier General Basem Mohammed Kadem and designating him as head of police in the holy city of Najaf.
Al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq showed other identification cards bearing the same name and said it would later issue a video of the man’s “confession”.
“The death brigades ... kidnapped the head of Najaf police while he was walking in al-Dora and after he confessed, God’s law was implemented against him,” the group said in a statement posted on a Website used by Islamist militants.
“The punishment of those who abandon their religion is death,” it said. “We tell the Jews and crusaders that they will share the same fate.”
Insurgents have kidnapped several leading Iraqi officials and military officers. Some have been killed, with video footage of their deaths posted on the Internet.
Zarqawi’s group has claimed responsibility for some of the bloodiest attacks and hostage beheadings in Iraq. #
Saddam’s nephew held: Iraqi authorities said on Sunday they have arrested a nephew of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein suspected of playing a major part in financing the insurgency.
A government statement said Ibrahim Sabawi, son of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Tikriti, a half brother of Saddam also being held in custody for allegedly bankrolling rebels — was arrested recently close to Baghdad.
“Ibrahim Sabawi was part of the circle of those close to the deposed regime. Up until his arrest he was financing the terrorists as was the case for his father Sabawi,” the statement said.
No further details were given on the date of the arrest or its circumstances, which comes six weeks after his father was captured close to the border with Syria.
Iraqi officials have said Ibrahim Sabawi was involved in terrorist activities in the area south of Baghdad known as the “triangle of death” for its frequent attacks.—AFP
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