Feds deny U.S. forces helped former Iraqi official flee

[maddezmom]

Oak Brook man faces 12 charges of corruption

December 22, 2006
BY CHRIS FUSCO AND NATASHA KORECKI Staff Reporters

The U.S. government Thursday denounced Iraqi press reports that American forces helped Oak Brook resident Aiham Alsammarae escape Iraqi custody and pledged to support efforts to find Iraq's former electricity minister.

"Mr. Alsammarae went missing while in detention pending action on corruption charges," said Lou Fintor, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The United States is "vigorously supporting" the Iraqi government's investigation of Alsammarae's disappearance, as well as "Iraqi government efforts to resolve this matter consistent with Iraqi law and international standards."

Fintor declined to say if U.S. or Iraqi authorities had made contact with Alsammarae or know Alsammarae's whereabouts.

more:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/182952,CST-NWS-iraqi22.article

[Tempest]

1. And it's just a coincidence

That the guy has been contributing to Bush's political campaigns since 1999, right?

Right?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Why would anyone think the US government was involved

Just because a bunch of armed Americans in Iraq charged the courtroom he was in and overpowered the Iraqi Police, then rushed him downstairs where he escaped?

Hey, it could have been angry American tourist for all we know.

[Tight_rope]

3. Yeah right...Tell it to Santa Claus..He'll believe you

[sabra]

4. Iraqi Official: Fugitive Will Be Caught

http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/302/Iraqi_Official_Fugitive_Will_Be_Caught

Iraqi Official: Fugitive Will Be Caught
Says Iraqi-American Escapee Cannot Go Far Without Passport

A top Iraqi official tells IraqSlogger that a fugitive Iraqi-American who is the focus of a nationwide manhunt will be captured and cannot go far because the Iraqi government possesses the escapee's two passports.

Aiham Alsammarae, an Iraqi-American who considered the Chicago area home for 27 years until 2003, escaped from his Baghdad Green Zone jail Sunday in an effort to avoid facing prosecution on corruption charges related to his time as Iraq's minister of electricity (2003-2005).

Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak al Rubaie tells IraqSlogger that Alsammarae will be unable to deliver on his promise to travel soon to the United States, saying:

"He will not surface in the U.S.A. because we have his passport and his Iraqi diplomatic passport. His name has been circulated everywhere. He will remain a fugitive until we get him back."