Hundreds demonstrate in Iraqi city to protest woman's arrest

[Judi Lynn]

Hundreds demonstrate in Iraqi city to protest woman's arrest

SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer Tuesday, January 13, 2004


(01-13) 02:23 PST FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP) --

Chanting anti-American slogans, hundreds of people demonstrated Tuesday to protest the arrest of a young woman in Fallujah, the third Iraqi city to explode in public anger against the U.S.-led occupation in as many days.

In the capital Baghdad, mortar shells exploded late Monday, shattering windows and causing minor damage to homes in the east of the city. At least two projectiles exploded near center city hotels favored by Westerners but caused no casualties.

Relatives said a 17-year-old newlywed, who was married six days ago, was alone at home Monday when she was taken away by U.S. troops and kept in custody for five hours before being freed unharmed.

The arrest inflamed passions in Fallujah, a stridently anti-American city in a deeply religious country where women's dignity is equated with family honor.
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