Investigation into killing of Iraqi cleric switches to Britain [Sadr murder investigation]

The Sunday Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4/18/04 | David Wastell

[saquin]

A senior Iraqi judge investigating the murder of a revered Shia cleric flew to Britain on Friday to gather evidence against Moqtada al-Sadr, the hardline Shia leader who is confronting coalition troops in the holy city of Najaf.

The judge will interview three Iraqi exiles who witnessed the savage attack last April on Sayed Abdul Majid al-Khoei, a cleric whom Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, hoped would help forge peace in Iraq.

The Shia leader, a powerful moderating voice who preached tolerance of other faiths, returned to Iraq from 12 years' exile in Britain only to be shot and hacked to death by supporters of al-Sadr, within sight of the city's Imam Ali shrine.

Iraq's central court issued an arrest for al-Sadr and 24 others last year as evidence mounted that the hardline cleric - currently holed up in the holy city of Najaf - ordered the murder. Shortly after the judge, whose identity is being kept secret, arrived in London on Friday, he told The Sunday Telegraph: "There was a horrible crime committed in Najaf and the investigation led to a group of people. The people who are accused have to come to court because they have to respect the rule of law.

"It is also crucial that people with information on what happened are willing to be brave, to come forward and to tell the truth."

At the time, Mr al-Khoei was said to have died at the hands of a frenzied mob, hacked to death inside the mosque as he tried to prevent the killing of another man - the custodian of the shrine under Saddam.

One of the London-based witnesses, however, has given The Telegraph a graphic account of how al-Sadr ordered Mr al-Khoei to be killed outside the Shia leader's house, 500 yards from the mosque.

Ma'ad Fayad, 47, an Iraqi journalist who sought asylum in Britain six years ago, was among a dozen friends to return with Mr al-Khoei to Najaf. Their group was tailed by black-clad followers of al-Sadr from the day they arrived in the city, he said.

"They looked at us like enemies, but we never supposed they would attack us. Al-Sadr is a murderer and a thief. But he is hiding in a holy shrine, like a coward."

Mr Fayad recalled how, on April 10, Mr al-Khoei went to the shrine to pray. In a gesture of reconciliation he invited Haidar al-Rufaie al-Killidar, the custodian of the mosque, who was reviled by many for "collaborating" with Saddam, to accompany him. They appeared to be welcomed by crowds already there.

Later, as they sat in al-Killidar's office, a threatening group of al-Sadr supporters gathered. "Mr al-Khoei tried to address them using a microphone, but someone cut the cable," Mr Fayad said. "They said they wanted al-Killidar, to kill him now." Mr al-Khoei reminded them that they were in a holy place and urged them to stop. Within moments, Mr Fayad said, the crowd brandished knives, swords and guns, and a man sprayed bullets through the windows with a Kalashnikov, killing Maher al-Naseri, a cleric from Detroit.

A 90-minute siege followed as "six or seven of us" held the attackers at bay with guns that the custodian kept for his protection. They surrendered only when a grenade blew three fingers off Mr al-Khoei's hand. One of the men went out with a white flag and a Koran on his head.

Mr Fayad said: "They tied our hands behind us and put us against a wall. Some shouted to kill us, finish it now, but others said not inside a holy shrine. Then a messenger came with orders to bring us to al-Sadr's house."

They were led out, into the courtyard of the mosque. "It was midday, and I saw the knives and swords shining under the sun. I said, 'Oh my God, this is the end'. They started to attack Haidar al-Rufaie with knives. He was a big man, and blood came through his clothes. They killed him in front of me."

As they walked the 500 yards to al-Sadr's house, attackers slashed at Mr al-Khoei with knives. "He tried to protect himself, but he bled a lot. Moqtada al-Sadr could still have helped, but he sent someone out with a message, 'Kill them outside my house. I don't want these people inside'."

In the melee, Mr Fayad was injured but managed to slip away. The others were offered refuge in a shop. All but Mr al-Khoei escaped. His body was dragged through the streets and riddled with bullets.

Last night, Mr Fayad said that his family in Jordan had been threatened with violence if he testifies against al-Sadr, but had been refused asylum in Britain. He pleaded with Mr Blair to overturn the decision.

"If they can arrest al-Sadr, I would go to Iraq to give evidence in court, so long as I am protected," he said. "But my family is not safe. Mr al-Khoei was Tony Blair's friend. Please let my family come here."

[DoctorMichael]

"..... a powerful moderating voice who preached tolerance....."

Hmmmmmmmmmm........I didn't know any background on the victim before THIS. Interesting that a moderate would be snuffed by the Twinkie-eating fatboy. I wonder if there's any outside influence in this?

[observer5]

"Al-Sadr is a murderer and a thief. But he is hiding in a holy shrine, like a coward."

That's the Mulim way... always has been... for hundreds of years!

Wake up you fools!