Monday, March 19, 2007
Mayor of Shia village abducted and killed
Security
(AP) The mayor of a small Shiite village south of Baghdad was kidnapped on his way to work Monday, and his bullet-riddled body was later found dumped along a highway, police and morgue officials said. Police said Khalaf Ghargan, the mayor of Dijelah, was abducted by gunmen about 300 yards from his home. Witnesses said the kidnappers ambushed Ghargan's car, dragged him out and sped away. Two bodyguards and a driver were left behind, they said.
Dijelah lies just south of Kut, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. Kut is the capital of Wasit province. Ghargan's body was later found dumped on a highway and brought to the Kut morgue, said morgue official Maamoun Ajeel al-Rubaie. Another body, handcuffed and showing signs of torture, also turned up at the morgue Monday, he said. Witnesses said Iraqi security forces were searching the area where the abduction took place.
Dijelah lies just south of Kut, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. Kut is the capital of Wasit province. Ghargan's body was later found dumped on a highway and brought to the Kut morgue, said morgue official Maamoun Ajeel al-Rubaie. Another body, handcuffed and showing signs of torture, also turned up at the morgue Monday, he said. Witnesses said Iraqi security forces were searching the area where the abduction took place.
COMMENT: This incident bears the hallmarks of Shia militias. It is possible Ghargan was kidnapped and killed by an opposing Shia militia. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: abduction, Arbil Mayor, Dijelah, Khalaf Ghargan
