Iraqi writer follower of Odai runs to European country

Iraqi sources said yesterday that writer Mazhar Aref was able to escape from Baghdad with members of his family to a European states, adding that Aref, 50, adhered to praising the Iraqi regime in his articles to avoid doubts about his intention.

Aref was one of Odai Hussein's supporters, on whom he relied to express his thoughts and to make propaganda campaigns whether in Babel or Rafedin newspapers which Odai controls.