Iraq's Defense Minister said that Ahmed Chalabi is to be arrested today for allegedly defaming the Defense Ministry. Legal proceedings could begin as early as tommorow after the end of the Eid al-Adha holidays. Chalabi has also been accused of passing intelligence secrets to Iran.

Boston Globe

[Defense Minister Hazem] Shaalan's statement followed allegations by Chalabi that the defense minister shifted hundreds of millions of dollars from the ministry. That has led to charges and countercharges by the two Shi'ite politicians, who are running for parliament on separate tickets in the Jan. 30 national elections.

Iraqi officials said $300 million was taken out of Iraq's Central Bank and flown to Lebanon earlier this month, The New York Times reported in today's editions. The money was to be used to buy tanks and other equipment for the Iraqi Army from international arms dealers, but precisely what the money was to be used for and who the suppliers are remain a mystery to Iraqis, the Times said.

Al-Jazeera television quoted Shaalan as saying Chalabi would be turned over to Interpol because of his 1992 conviction in absentia by a Jordanian court for embezzling funds from a Jordanian bank, which collapsed in 1989.

Chalabi, who founded the bank, has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges were fabricated because of his opposition to ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

While everything is alleged it would seem to me this guy is an outright crook that would sell his soul to the highest bidder.

Crossposted to The Command Post and Backcountry Conservative

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