Baghdad gunmen kidnap senior Iraqi Justice Ministry official
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Version 0 of 1. BAGHDAD — Gunmen abducted a senior Justice Ministry official during a brazen daytime ambush Tuesday, authorities said, in the latest high-profile kidnappingto suggest increasing security breakdowns in the Iraqi capital. Hostage-taking for ransom and political payback has been a common fixture in Baghdad for years. But the ambush-style seizure of a top government official appears as a direct challenge to Iraq’s Western-backed government. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has struggled to contain the country’s rampant violence, including attacks on Baghdad’s streets. [Blast levels Baghdad market] Gunmen intercepted a convoy carrying the acting deputy justice minister, Abdul-Karim al-Saadi, about 1:30 p.m. in the residential district of Binok, a mainly Shiite part of eastern Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. Two bodyguards were later released. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but various armed groups — including both Shiite militias and Sunni extremists — have footholds across Baghdad. The Islamic State also has asserted responsibility for deadly bombings in the capital. An official at the Justice Ministry said there had been no immediate word from the kidnappers. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to talk to the media. Saadi also serves as head of the ministry’s financial and administrative affairs department, according to local media reports. Iraqi protesters pushing for government reform have called for the rehabilitation of the country’s judiciary in recent weeks, urging Abadi to fire corrupt officials. Shiite militias, backed by Iran, battled Sunni fighters during the years of sectarian bloodshed after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 ousted Saddam Hussein. In recent years, Shiite groups have joined the fight against the Islamic State, which holds territory west of Baghdad. Last week, masked assailants kidnapped 18 Turkish citizens in eastern Baghdad. Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. Read more: Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world |