Home>News Center>World
         
 

Iraq to arrest Ahmad Chalabi after Eid
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-22 08:41

Iraq's interim defense minister said on Friday the government would arrest Iraqi National Congress (INC) leader Ahmad Chalabi after the Eid al-Adha holiday on suspicion of maligning the defense ministry.

The INC has emerged as a power broker in the main election list for the country's Shi'ite majority in the Jan 30. ballot and Chalabi is a contender for the post of prime minister.

"We will arrest him and hand him over to Interpol. We will arrest him based on facts that he wanted to malign the reputation of the defense ministry and defense minister," Hazim al-Shaalan told Al Jazeera television.

Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi, pictured in 2004. Iraqi interim Defense Minister Hazem al-Shaalan said the Baghdad government would shortly arrest prominent Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi for allegedly seeking to tarnish his and his ministry's reputation.(AFP/File)
Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi, pictured in 2004. Iraqi interim Defense Minister Hazem al-Shaalan said the Baghdad government would shortly arrest prominent Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi for allegedly seeking to tarnish his and his ministry's reputation.[AFP/File]
Chalabi, a cousin and rival of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, was not immediately available for comment.

The satellite channel quoted Shaalan as saying Chalabi would be handed to Interpol over his conviction in absentia by a Jordanian court in 1992 of embezzling millions from Petra Bank, whose 1989 collapse shook Jordan's political and financial system.

Chalabi, who founded and ran the bank during a long period when he lived in the country, denies any wrongdoing.

"Our measures will start after Eid," Shalaan said. The Muslim feast began on Jan. 20 and ends on Sunday in most Arab states.

Shaalan told London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published on Friday he would order the arrest after Chalabi accused the defense minister in an interview of stealing $500 million from the ministry and posted documents on a Web site accusing Shaalan of links to Saddam Hussein's government.

Chalabi was the best-connected Iraqi opposition leader in Washington but after Saddam's fall became a vocal critic of U.S. policy in Iraq.

A U.S.-appointed judge issued a warrant for Chalabi's arrest last year on charges of counterfeiting money, but the charges were dropped in September.

Chalabi had brought together foes of Saddam, the former Iraqi president, under the umbrella of his Iraqi National Congress and spearheaded attempts by the U.S.-appointed Governing Council to remove members of Saddam's Baath party from positions of power.



 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Captors of Chinese hostages air new demand for release

 

   
 

Britain backs EU in lifting arms ban

 

   
 

Auditors reveal truth about State assets firms

 

   
 

Power shortage causes blackouts nationwide

 

   
 

Disaster forecasting system to be upgraded

 

   
 

Lower prices push pirate books off shelves

 

   
  Iraq to arrest Ahmad Chalabi after Eid
   
  Twin attacks in Iraq kill at least 21
   
  EU foreign policy boss Solana praises Ukraine
   
  Denmark charges 5 soldiers with Iraqi prisoner abuse
   
  Many pilgrims stone 'devil' Bush in haj ritual
   
  Lenin's curator says his body will last 100 years
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Iraq Islamist group says tried to kill Chalabi
   
Iraq's Chalabi escapes assassination bid
   
Iraq issues warrants for Chalabi, nephew
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement