Iraqi officials confirm arrests of minister's bodyguards
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 December 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraqi officials confirm arrests of minister's bodyguards, 21 December 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50ed342b21.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 21, 2012
Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi
Authorities in Iraq have confirmed that 10 bodyguards of the country's Sunni finance minister have been arrested in a counterterrorism probe.
A spokesman for the Supreme Judicial Council said on December 21 that the chief of Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi's protection unit had confessed to participating in unspecified terrorist attacks.
The other nine bodyguards are being held pending further investigation.
Last week, Issawi said an unspecified "militia force" had "kidnapped" members of his staff.
He said he held Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'a, responsible for their safe return.
The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions between Iraq's Shi'ite majority and its Sunni minority.
Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi has been sentenced to death in absentia for running death squads. He is now in Turkey.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website