Posted on 05/18/2004 8:18:14 AM PDT by elhombrelibre
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Four people have been arrested over the beheading of US businessman Nicholas Berg, whose killing was shown earlier this month in a video on an Al-Qaeda linked website, a senior Iraqi source said.
Asked if more than one person had been arrested in connection with the killing, the source told AFP: "Yes, four people."
Berg's beheading was shown on a grainy video posted on the Islamic website linked to Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s terror network, days after his body was found in Baghdad on May 8.
"We have made good progress," the source added, referring to the investigation, but declined to give any details on the identity of the four people held in detention.
But it was understood that none of the four included Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi, who US authorities believe carried out the killing of the 26-year-old who was in Iraq (news - web sites) to drum up business for his small telecommunications company.
The tape of Berg's killing was entitled "Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi slaughtering an American", referring to the Jordanian militant, linked to Al-Qaeda and wanted over a string of attacks in Iraq.
The video showed Berg's decapitation by one of five masked men. Iraqi sources would not say whether any of the four suspects in custody were among them, or whether the detainees were linked to the case in another way.
Berg's captors said his killing was revenge for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of US troops, which shocked the world and undermined Washington's claim to be the liberators of Iraq.
The slain Jewish American was buried Friday in a private ceremony near his Pennsylvania home.
His family have blamed his death on US President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s administration.
US Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) has vowed to keep up the hunt for the killers who made a video.
I don't understand why some outlets call this an "execution." By what state entity? After what trial? For what crime?
It was just a cowardly, detestable murder.
Dan
No connection to the murder of Nick Berg according to FOX.
Previously posted and Coalition has heard nothing of the 4 arrests....Fox held off until just before briefing..unable to confirm
The handwringers won't like this.
I just hope that we don't put panties on their heads.
I'm sure that they were picked up a while ago and we're pumping them for information. I just hope that we aren't humiliating them to get this information [/sarcasm].
We had a 200 post thread going and then ..nothing .
I certainly hope they don't humiliate these poor people - they are probably victims of an unhappy childhood... Let's just move on, OK?
my fear is that these four will be "connected" to the beheading but not any of the participants in front of the camera (i.e. knew the guys who did, owned the building it took place in, etc). Although it would be a start. Just going to be cautious until I hear otherwise
I think it's the same reason some people call the shooting of John Lennon an 'assassination.' Sloppy language, and a desire to make it something more than it is.
Coalition said no confirmation on arrests.
#11
Of course if we were still allowed to use real interrogation methods perhaps we'd find out the whereabouts of those in front of the camera.
Coalition has heard nothing of the arrests at briefing.
11:13 U.S. has no information about arrests in Berg killing
I see your point; in this case, I'd more suspect it's their desire to make it something LESS.
An "execution" is a formal thing with, potentially, something respectable about it.
This was nothing but a bunch of hatefilled cowards slaughtering an innocent Jewish/American civilian.
If it were reported that way... well heck, it might make people think we're at war with really despicable individuals! It might sound as if it were more important than a few idiots embarrassing a few enemy terrorists.
Can't have that.
< /sarcasm >
Dan
Coalition said they had heard nothing of arrests at Kimmitts briefing.
Coalition has heard nothing about arrests...This is AFP and they get it wrong at times.
Break out the panties, glow sticks and cameras! Fresh Meat!
[/sarcasm]
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