Mass kidnapping of Iraqi academics

**Adrian II** · 11-15-2006, 00:23

Originally Posted by The Telegraph

Iraq ordered the closure of all its universities this morning after up to 150 scientists and staff were kidnapped from the offices of the Higher Education Ministry in Baghdad. (..) A convoy of around 20 camouflaged pick-up trucks surrounded the offices in the religiously-mixed Karrada district at around 9.30am local time, police said. Gunmen, who were wearing police commando uniforms, were then seen lining up a crowd of men in the car park, handcuffing them and leading them away. (..) Academics are believed to be singled out as they are often secularists whose views are considered increasingly threatening as Islamic fundamentalism spreads in the country.

Okay, we knew it was bad, but this one takes the biscuit. The number may actually be lower than one hundred and fifty. But kidnapping those academics and other staff in broad daylight, smack in the middle of Baghdad, is no mean feat.

Originally Posted by The Guardian

A senior, non-Shia interior ministry source told the Guardian today: "In truth we don't know whether the kidnappers were terrorists, militias, criminals, or interior ministry renegades. Whatever the explanation, it will do nothing for people's trust in us."

You can say that again. Isn't there supposed to be a western occupation force in Iraq that should prevent such things from happening? And what of these Iraqi 'security forces' that are supposed to 'take over' from the occupying force? Are they the ones responsible for this particular incident?

Good God, what a mess.

**AntiochusIII** · 11-15-2006, 00:26

The definite sign of an oppressive society is when academics are lined up and shot because of their beliefs.

All hail after-Saddam Iraq. Some Democracy.