Top News Article | Reuters.com Legendary Iraqi Rebel Emerges to Fight Murder Case:
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A tribal leader who fought Saddam Hussein's forces in Iraq's forbidding marshes emerged from hiding on Saturday, declaring he would not resist an arrest warrant in connection with a murder at a morgue.
Abdel Karim al-Mohammadawi, known as the 'prince of the marshes' for his heroics in southern Iraq for decades, admits he was present when police commander Mohammad al-Amshani was shot dead last month.
The case is stirring controversy because he was a fierce opponent of Saddam who enjoyed the backing of the United States before and after the war that toppled the Iraqi leader.
Mohammadawi said he was so sure of his innocence that he will not resist police, although he does not recognize the U.S.-appointed court that issued warrants against him and his two brothers.
'We are pioneers of a struggle. We want the rule of law to prevail in Iraq,' Mohammadawi told reporters at the home of his friend Ahmad Chalabi, a former exile who has also run into trouble with U.S.-appointed judges after his relationship with Washington cooled.
Few dare challenge Mohammadawi, a legendary figure bold enough to go in and out of Iraq during Saddam's rule and lead an underground Islamist party -- actions that invited certain death.
After the Iraq War, Mohammadawi became a member of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, which dissolved itself last month. He recounted his version of events at the morgue -- scene of the slaying that left the police commander riddled with bullets -- saying he and his entourage acted in self-defense.......
"Amshani fired his pistol first at my car after we had an argument, and forty automatic rifles responded. He was actually a friend of mine," he said.
"One could not tell who was who. The police officers stole cars at the scene. Many of them were hired without being vetted you know."
Mohammadawi's supporters say he was targeted by a U.S.-dominated judiciary because of his support for Sadr, who has reached a truce with the Americans.
Bearded and dressed in an elegant white and yellow robe, he said that unlike Sadr he will not resort to violence and suggested his moderation could help him strike a deal with Iraq's new interim government, which will take power on June 30.
"We will work on preserving stability in the south," said the charismatic Mohammadawi. "There are 11 days before the transfer of power. It is going to be a different game after this." "
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A tribal leader who fought Saddam Hussein's forces in Iraq's forbidding marshes emerged from hiding on Saturday, declaring he would not resist an arrest warrant in connection with a murder at a morgue.
Abdel Karim al-Mohammadawi, known as the 'prince of the marshes' for his heroics in southern Iraq for decades, admits he was present when police commander Mohammad al-Amshani was shot dead last month.
The case is stirring controversy because he was a fierce opponent of Saddam who enjoyed the backing of the United States before and after the war that toppled the Iraqi leader.
Mohammadawi said he was so sure of his innocence that he will not resist police, although he does not recognize the U.S.-appointed court that issued warrants against him and his two brothers.
'We are pioneers of a struggle. We want the rule of law to prevail in Iraq,' Mohammadawi told reporters at the home of his friend Ahmad Chalabi, a former exile who has also run into trouble with U.S.-appointed judges after his relationship with Washington cooled.
Few dare challenge Mohammadawi, a legendary figure bold enough to go in and out of Iraq during Saddam's rule and lead an underground Islamist party -- actions that invited certain death.
After the Iraq War, Mohammadawi became a member of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, which dissolved itself last month. He recounted his version of events at the morgue -- scene of the slaying that left the police commander riddled with bullets -- saying he and his entourage acted in self-defense.......
"Amshani fired his pistol first at my car after we had an argument, and forty automatic rifles responded. He was actually a friend of mine," he said.
"One could not tell who was who. The police officers stole cars at the scene. Many of them were hired without being vetted you know."
Mohammadawi's supporters say he was targeted by a U.S.-dominated judiciary because of his support for Sadr, who has reached a truce with the Americans.
Bearded and dressed in an elegant white and yellow robe, he said that unlike Sadr he will not resort to violence and suggested his moderation could help him strike a deal with Iraq's new interim government, which will take power on June 30.
"We will work on preserving stability in the south," said the charismatic Mohammadawi. "There are 11 days before the transfer of power. It is going to be a different game after this." "
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