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| Middle East |
| Jordan Frees Seven Men From Raid |
| 2002-11-20 |
| Police sent 66 men to a military prosecutor Wednesday to be questioned about possible links to a banned group of smugglers allegedly led by an anti-American, militant Muslim preacher, security officials said. Seven others in detention were freed after authorities determined they had no connection to the banned group in the southern city of Maan, officials said on condition of anonymity. This week police freed about 25 men — including one Indian, seven Iraqis and three Egyptians — for lack of evidence linking them to al-Chalabi's group, security officials said. They said 35 others rounded up last week for minor offenses were to be freed on bail soon. The remaining 66 men will be interrogated by the military prosecutor over suspected links to al-Chalabi's group or instigating sedition and rioting, the officials said. If there is enough evidence, they will be tried in the State Security Court. Officials said al-Chalabi is on the run after he fled with two assistants, identified as Majdi Kreishan and Omar Bazay'ah. He is believed to be hiding in the mountains of southern Jordan, but there have been reports he may have escaped to neighboring Saudi Arabia. Al-Chalabi, also known as Abu-Sayyaf, is suspected of ties to a banned militant group, called Takfir wal Hijra, or Repentance and Flight, that advocates isolation from the "sinful" world. No sinning around here, no sir! And if anyone disagrees, we'll kill them, cause that's what us holy men do. |
| Posted by:Steve |