Armed Islamic Group leader speaks out

One of the Algerian leaders of the rebel Armed Islamic Group (GIA), 32 year-old Mahfoud Assouli (Abu al-Munthir ) said, "Our fighters kill only those who deserve to die." The Algerian government placed a 16,000 US dollar bounty on his head.

In an interview with a newspaper which claims to be the official voice of GIA in Europe, he said:

"We do nothing more than fulfill the will of god and his prophet."

When asked about killing innocent women and children he added, "If they were in the same area as the enemy they will be accepted as martyrs."

He warned Algerian citizens who do not pray, drink alcohol, take drugs, as well as homosexuals and immodest or debauched women that their fate is death.

Assouli divides Algerian citizens into three categories. The first are those take up the fight against Islam. The second are those who join the Jihad. The third are those who support Islam but also with the democracy and elections. He maintains that all of those are impostors and they should be killed.