Number of killed Iraqis increasing, al-Sader's brother in law arrested, occupation hit Imam Ali shrine in Najaf
Iraq, Politics, 5/27/2004

The American occupation forces yesterday had a blow against the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader by arresting his brother in law and one of his main aides, Riyadh al-Nouri during fierce fighting in Najaf on Tuesday evening that resulted in killing 24 resistance men and wounding more than 50 others, just few hours after similar fighting resulted in killing 13 Iraqis and wounding other 21 during which one shelling fell in the shrine of Imam Ali in a step that raised great anger in the city.

Azhar al-Keinani, of al- Sader office in Najaf said that Riyadh al-Nouri did not resist the American occupation forces when they broke into his house during the fighting.

Public relations official in al-Sader office Sheikh Foad al- Tarfi said that " simultaneously my house was inspected by the American soldiers searching for me and when they did not find me they arrested three of my brothers who also work in al-Sader office."

Al-Tarfi indicated that the American forces cordoned the house of " Jaber al-Khafaji, chairman of the legislative court ( al-Sader established since one year), and broke into it and did not find al-Khafaji." Al-Khafaji was the Imam of Friday prayers twice in al-Koufa mosque when Muqtada al-Sader was not able to reach the city.

Operations deputy director in the American forces Gen, Mark kemet said that al-Nouri was detained over his alleged connections of killing the Shiite clergy Abdul Miguid al-Khouwai one year ago. Kemet said that al-Nouri will be handed over for the Iraqi police for trial.

Previous Stories:
  Seven killed in al-Najaf, one mosque destroyed in Karbala   (5/26/2004)
  Moussa condemns attacks on Imam Ali Shrine   (5/26/2004)
  Iraq calls on the donor states to draw a realistic programs for rebuilding   (5/26/2004)

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