Iraqis Arrest Bribery Suspect, Extortionist's Associate

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 14, 2009 - Iraqi security forces, working with U.S. advisors, apprehended a bribery suspect and an associate of an alleged extortionist yesterday in Mosul, Iraq, military officials reported.

Acting on a warrant, Iraqi forces searched several buildings for extortion ring members operating in the area. During the search, the team apprehended a man who identified himself as a lawyer who represents members of the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group in the area. While questioning the lawyer, the Iraqi forces determined he was wanted on a warrant for having suspected ties to the terrorist group's extortion ring in Mosul.

The lawyer allegedly has used money stolen from local companies and private citizens to pay government officials to release jailed criminals, and also is believed to have stolen money from construction companies, factories and private citizens to fund terrorist attacks and criminal activity. He is believed to represent numerous terrorists and have ties to senior terrorist group leaders, officials said.

Also in Mosul yesterday, federal police arrested an associate of an extortion ringleader suspected of stealing from local residents and businesses.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.