US troops release son of top Iraqi politician

[helderheid]

US troops release son of top Iraqi politician

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD, Iraq


US troops detained the son of Iraq's top Shi'ite politician Friday as he returned to the country from Iran but released him nearly 12 hours later, Shi'ite officials said. The US ambassador apologized for the arrest.

Amar al-Hakim, son of political leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, was taken into custody at the Zirbatyah crossing point and was transferred to a US facility in Kut, according to the elder al-Hakim's secretary, Jamal al-Sagheer.

Al-Sagheer said the younger al-Hakim's security guards were also detained.

Later, al-Sagheer said Amar al-Hakim was freed about 8 p.m. but his bodyguards remained in custody.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1171894503298&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[WillyT]

1. More Here:

<snip>

Earlier on Saturday, thousands of Shiites rallied in the holy city of Najaf to protest the nearly 12-hour detention of the eldest son of Iraq's most influential Shiite politician as he crossed back from Iran.

Amar al-Hakim, who was taken into custody on Friday, complained Saturday that U.S. soldiers handcuffed and blindfolded him before his release and "strongly abused" his bodyguards.

"Is this the way to deal with a national figure? This does not conform with Iraq's sovereignty," he said.

He said cell phones, licensed weapons and two-way radios were among items confiscated.

"It is not a question of offering apologies," the black-turbaned cleric told reporters in Najaf, about 100 miles south of Baghdad. "We need clear and honest measures to prevent such incidents from happening again."

Even though U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad issued a rapid apology, the decision to hold al-Hakim — and his complaints about his detention — risk touching off a backlash from Shiite leaders at a time when their cooperation is needed most to keep a major security sweep through Baghdad from unraveling. At least 13 people died in attacks on Saturday in the capital, including five in a suicide car bombing at the headquarters of the political party headed by al-Hakim's father.

It also highlights the often knotty relationship between U.S. military authorities and Iraq's leaders, whose ties to neighboring patrons — Syria backing Sunnis, and Iran acting as big brother to majority Shiites — add fuel to sectarian rivalries and bring recriminations from Washington about alleged arms smuggling and outside interference.

<snip>

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070224/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=AkiQOUF9KeJPivggPm3TLa2s0NUE

What the HELL are we doing???

:banghead:

[WillyT]

3. And Here:

Iraq leader's son accuses U.S. troops of abuse
An Iraqi politician's son said U.S. troops blindfolded and pushed him when they detained him and kept possessions they confiscated. "There is no excuse for what happened," said Ammar al-Hakim, the son of leading Shiite politician Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, of the event that sparked protests Saturday.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/02/24/iraq.main/index.html

Out of Iraq NOW!!!

:nuke:

[bigtree]

2. I got the impression today that this may be the wedge that causes an outright rejection

of the U.S. troops by the Shiite politicians and others in the Shia-dominated government.

[WillyT]

4. We Can Hope...

:shrug: