Friday, February 23, 2007

Shiites Say U.S. Arrested Leader's Son

Friday February 23, 2007 4:01 PM

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. troops arrested the son of Iraq's top Shiite politician Friday as he returned to the country from Iran, Shiite officials said.

Amar al-Hakim, son of political leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, was taken into custody at the Zirbatyah crossing point and was transferred to a U.S. facility in Kut, according to the elder al-Hakim's secretary, Jamal al-Sagheer.

Al-Sagheer said the younger al-Hakim's security guards were also detained.

A U.S. spokesman, Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, said he was looking into the report and ``we will release information as it becomes available.''

Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim is leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the country's largest Shiite party with longtime ties to Iran. Al-Hakim's party is part of the Shiite alliance that includes Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

U.S. authorities have complained about Iranian weapons sales and financial aid to major Shiite parties in Iraq.

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