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Iran 'arrests Sunni militant' | Iran 'arrests Sunni militant' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iranian authorities have arrested the leader of the Sunni Muslim militant group Jundullah, according to reports on state television. | Iranian authorities have arrested the leader of the Sunni Muslim militant group Jundullah, according to reports on state television. |
The Arabic language channel al-Alam said Abdolmalek Rigi had been held in eastern Iran, but gave no more details. | The Arabic language channel al-Alam said Abdolmalek Rigi had been held in eastern Iran, but gave no more details. |
He is said to be behind a series of deadly bombings and killings in Sistan-Baluchistan province. | He is said to be behind a series of deadly bombings and killings in Sistan-Baluchistan province. |
Last October 42 people, including six Revolutionary Guard commanders, were killed in a suicide bombing in Zahedan. | Last October 42 people, including six Revolutionary Guard commanders, were killed in a suicide bombing in Zahedan. |
The Fars news agency, quoting the Iranian intelligence ministry, said the arrest took place of the "Jundullah leader along with two of his group members". | The Fars news agency, quoting the Iranian intelligence ministry, said the arrest took place of the "Jundullah leader along with two of his group members". |
The official IRNA news agency later said he had been travelling in a plane to an Arab country via Pakistan before his arrest. | The official IRNA news agency later said he had been travelling in a plane to an Arab country via Pakistan before his arrest. |
"His plane was ordered to land and then he was arrested after the plane was searched," Iranian lawmaker Mohammed Dehgan was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. | "His plane was ordered to land and then he was arrested after the plane was searched," Iranian lawmaker Mohammed Dehgan was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. |
Press TV, the Iranian state-run English language service, said Mr Rigi had been in a US military base 24 hours before his capture. | Press TV, the Iranian state-run English language service, said Mr Rigi had been in a US military base 24 hours before his capture. |
It alleged the US had issued Mr Rigi with an Afghan passport. | It alleged the US had issued Mr Rigi with an Afghan passport. |
It also said he had recently travelled to "European countries". | It also said he had recently travelled to "European countries". |
None of these claims could be independently verified. | None of these claims could be independently verified. |
Jundullah was founded in 2002 to defend the Baluchi minority in the poor, remote and lawless region of south-east Iran. | Jundullah was founded in 2002 to defend the Baluchi minority in the poor, remote and lawless region of south-east Iran. |
The group has been using neighbouring Pakistan as a base, and in the past the Iranians have accused Pakistan of allowing them to operate there. | |
Mr Rigi has claimed in the past that the group does not seek to break away from Iran but that violence is necessary to draw attention to discrimination. | Mr Rigi has claimed in the past that the group does not seek to break away from Iran but that violence is necessary to draw attention to discrimination. |