Iraqi officials admit death squads exist

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/world/14086683.htm?source=rss&channel=montereyherald_world

By MATTHEW SCHOFIELD
Knight Ridder Newspapers

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Senior Iraqi officials Sunday confirmed for the first time that death squads composed of government employees had operated illegally from inside two government ministries.

"The death squads that we have captured are in the defense and interior ministries," Minister of Interior Bayan Jabr said during a joint news conference with the minister of defense. "There are people who have infiltrated the army and the interior."

Sunni Muslims have long complained about Shiite death squads that arrived wearing official uniforms and rode in official-looking vehicles to haul away victims.

Knight Ridder first reported the accusation of death squads in February last year, and in June documented many cases in which victims were allegedly taken away by men wearing Interior Ministry commando uniforms were later found handcuffed and executed with a bullet to the back of the head.