Reply #3: It is, indeed, true. [View All]

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Iraq-Arrest.html?pagewanted=print

May 30, 2005

U.S. Detains Iraqi Islamic Party Leader

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 6:22 a.m. ET

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- U.S. troops detained the head of Iraq's largest Sunni Muslim political party during a house raid early Monday in western Baghdad, a top party official and police said. Mohsen Abdul Hamid, head of the Iraqi Islamic Party, was detained by American soldiers along with his three sons and four guards, said party-secretary-general Ayad al-Samarei. U.S. military officials could not immediately confirm the detentions.

Al-Samarei said American soldiers raided Hamid's home at around 6 a.m. and confiscated various items, including a computer.

''This is a provocative and foolish act and this is part of the pressure exerted on the party,'' he said.

''At the time when the Americans say they are keen on real Sunni participation, they are now arresting the head of the only Sunni party that calls for a peaceful solution and have participated in the political process,'' he added.

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