IRAQI authorities have said they have arrested a nephew of toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein suspected of playing a major part in financing the insurgency. A government statement said Ibrahim Sabawi - son of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Tikriti, a half brother of Saddam also being held in custody for allegedly bankrolling rebels - was arrested "recently" close to Baghdad. "Ibrahim Sabawi was part of the circle of those close to the deposed regime. Up until his arrest he was financing the terrorists as was the case for his father Sabawi," the statement said.No further details were given on the date of the arrest or its circumstances, which comes six weeks after his father was captured close to the border with Syria.
Iraqi officials have said Ibrahim Sabawi was involved in guerrilla activities in the area south of Baghdad known as the "triangle of death" for its frequent attacks. Sabawi senior, who was a presidential advisor to Saddam and an intelligence chief, was number 36 on the US list of 55 most wanted former regime officials in Iraq. The capture of the father resulted from arrests in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and active patrols by Iraqi forces on the Syrian border, particularly in the restive province of Al-Anbar, officials have said.
Accused of being the main financier of the rebellion, Sabwai senior is suspected of dispensing huge amounts of money for Baath party loyalists and being involved directly in a number of attacks.