Iraqi security forces captured 16 "gang members" Sunday who were allegedly planning to attack, kidnap or assassinate close relatives of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, an Iraqi Council of Ministers statement said.While in custody the men confessed to committing murder, rape and attacking a police station that killed six police officers, the statement said. One of the members also confessed to blowing up 12 car bombs in Baghdad. The initial investigation was conducted in al-Hindiyah town and the case will be transferred to Karbala city for prosecution of the men.
In another development, Iraq's health minister, who is aligned to a powerful Shiite militia, claimed U.S. forces arrested seven of his personal guards in a surprise pre-dawn raid on his office, The Associated Press reported. The reason for the alleged arrests was unclear. Health minister Ali al-Shemari said the soldiers arrived at 3 a.m. Sunday, broke into the building and hauled away the seven men, who were posted there as night guards, AP said.
There was no U.S. statement on the claim. However, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case, said Iraqi forces with U.S. advisers searched the ministry after a tip from an Iraqi citizen and took five people into custody for questioning, according to AP.