Followin are excerpts from the interrogation of Iraqi terrorist Talal Ra'ad Sleiman Yasin. Al-Iraqiya TV (Iraq), aired this on March 9, 2005:
Talal Ra'ad Sleiman Yasin: My name is Talal Ra'ad Sleiman Yasin, from the Nineveh province. I am known as Al-‘Abbasi. Interviewer: During our conversation you talked about policemen and National Guard personnel being slaughtered. Can you tell us about this, and about the basis of such fatwas in Islamic law? Yasin: Actually, Islamic law is not my friends. But after the People of the Hadith Association was established in Mosul… Interviewer: When? Yasin: This association was established after fall the regime and was headed by Nidham Al-Din Haddad, who was a cleric… Interviewer: Was he an Iraqi? Yasin: Yes, from Mosul. These clerics discussed the Koran and the Sunna and Islamic legal argumentation. After this association was established they issued a ruling that it prohibited killing policemen and National Guard personnel. Later, Nidham went on a pilgrimage to Mecca – as Allah is my witness – and when he returned from his pilgrimage, one of his students asked him about killing policemen, and he permitted this. Interviewer: Who was Nidham working for and who financed him? Yasin: The association preaches the Salafi approach - but moderate Salafism, and not the Salafism that accuses others of heresy. But when he went to Saudi Arabia, he met with clerics or with the Council of Senior 'Ulama in Saudi Arabia. Interviewer: Who did he meet in Saudi Arabia? Yasin: I think… According to what was said, he met with the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Saleh… Excuse me, 'Abd Al-'Aziz Aal Al-Sheik and with Sheik Saleh Al-Fawzan. Interviewer: Then the fatwa came from Saudi Arabia? Yasin: Yes, he said this when he came back. Interviewer: What fatwas were issued when he came returned from his pilgrimage? The fatwa concerning attacks on the Americans and their supporters… When he was asked about police stations and policemen, he said: "They must be killed." Interviewer: When an operation is carried out in Saudi Arabia they call it "a terrorist attack" but when a terrorist attack takes place in Iraq they call it "Jihad." Hasn't this occurred to you? Yasin: I don't believe what they say about the Jihad in Iraq, but Satan tempted me. I generally follow the path of moderation and not of accusations of heresy. In this case I was wrong. Interviewer: Approximately how much did you get for these operations? Yasin: $1,500. Interviewer: Every month, as an Emir? Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: According to our information, in order to become an Emir one must slaughter ten people or more. Yasin: yes. Interviewer: Who were the ten people you slaughtered in order to become an Emir? Yasin: The truth is that I didn't slaughter ten myself, but the group we killed was estimated at 12 or 13 people, and on this basis I formed this squad (as an Emir). Interview: So you wanted to become an Emir, and you didn't care who was slaughtered or killed, as long as you got $1,500? Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: Do you think these people deserved to be killed? Yasin: To be honest, I don't, but as I said, Satan's misguidance and temptation diverted me from the path of righteousness. Interviewer: I have a simple question. The viewers know who you are. Which university did you graduate from? Yasin: I am not a university graduate. I finished elementary school. I became an Imam and a preacher at the Shabkhoun Mosque after graduating from the Iraqi clerics' council (seminary) in 1987. I continued to preach at this mosque until 1989, when I was transferred to the Abu Za'ayan Mosque and later to the Al-Abrar Mosque. My services were terminated when received a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs. Interviewer: For what reason? Yasin: Because I follow the Salafi approach. Interviewer: The Salafi approach? Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: That's not true. I have different information, but we'll get to that later. Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: The fatwas you mentioned were aimed at "putting an end to the chaos and disorder in security, resulting from the occupation." Right? Yasin: Yes, it's true. Interviewer: If you ruled that it is permitted to kill policemen and National Guard personnel, how can you one control the disorder in security? You consider the Americans to be infidels, so you attack them. As for the National Guard and the police, you issued fatwas that permit killing them, as they are infidels. So who you think should take control over the disorder in security? Mulla Mahdi's gang, or what? Clearly, nobody can take control of the situation except the relevant bodies, such as the police and the National Guard. Interviewer: So why did you issue instructions to kill them? What were you thinking? Yasin: I told you, Satan tempted me. Interviewer: "imposing the haraba punishment, the death sentence, upon bandits, thieves and murderers" – is it true that you issued this fatwa? Yasin: Yes, Nidham issued it. Interviewer: If roadside robbery, thieving, and murder are forbidden, then how come you kidnap people for ransom, in the pretext of Jihad. Isn't this theft? Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: Isn't this against (Islamic law)? Yasin: Yes, no doubt. Interviewer: The guys – your friends, I wash my hands of them – admitted that you committed homosexual acts in a mosque and that they committed these acts with you. What do you have to say to this? This is why you were dismissed from managing the mosque and from your preaching position? We have documents proving this, what do you say to this? Yasin: "To Allah we come and to Him we shall return." I've repented since then. Interviewer:You've repented? Yasin: Yes. Interviewer: Did Satan tempt you in this deed too? Yasin: Yes. |
