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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 2, 2004
Release Number: 04-08-08


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


IRAQ'S CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT CONVICTS AIF MEMBERS

BAGHDAD - During the past week, the Central Criminal Court of Iraq tried five cases related to anti-Iraqi force activities directed against the Multi-National Force and the security of Iraq. Charges in these cases were related to possession of IED-making materials and illegal weapons. Each of these cases resulted in convictions.

A defendant was found guilty July 26 and sentenced to six months in prison for possession of explosives and a detonation device buried near his home Dec. 27, 2003.

The court sentenced a defendant to one year in prison for possession of illegal weapons July 27. An informant had told Multi-National Forces that the defendant possessed and was selling weapons. A search of his home around July 13, 2003 discovered several weapons, including mortar rounds and tubes, RPGs, hand grenades, rifles, and night-vision goggles.

During a second case tried July 27, a defendant was sentenced to 30 years in prison for possession of illegal weapons found in the trunk of his car April 13, 2003 at an MNF checkpoint. The defendant possessed 16 mortar rounds, as well as fuses and explosive charges. He claimed to be taking the weapons to the police station to turn them in.

On July 28, a defendant was tried on charges related to possession of IED-making materials, including circuit boards with batteries, resistors, alarm clocks, surge protectors and other electrical supplies. A modified circuit board of the type found in his home was found connected to an IED shortly after his apprehension, and it was noted that IED activity in the area diminished considerably after he was detained on 5 April 2004. The court sentenced him to 18 months in prison. He was found not guilty of a charge of possessing explosives.

As of the end of July, 37 criminal cases involving 55 defendants have been tried before the Central Criminal Court of Iraq for AIF activities directed against the Multi-National Force and the security of Iraq. These trials resulted in 49 insurgents being convicted with sentences ranging from six months to 30 years. AIF are turned over to the Iraqi Corrections Service after their convictions for imprisonment.

Six individuals in four cases have been acquitted by the court over the past year due to lack of sufficient evidence to prove their crimes.

The Central Criminal Court was established in June 2003 as an Iraqi national court. All judges, prosecutors and defense counsel are Iraqi. Its mandate involves hearing cases that threaten the security and stability of Iraq, to include AIF activities against the Multi-National Force.

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