Baghdad: Iraq has arrested 73 people
suspected of playing a direct role in two massive bombs that killed more than 150 people in Baghdad on October 25, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday.
They are suspected of working on the orders of the outlawed Baath party of executed dictator Saddam Hussein, and included members of al Qaeda, Maliki told reporters here.
He said he had personally scrutinised transcripts of interviews with those arrested in connection with the attacks at the justice ministry and the Baghdad provincial government headquarters, and referred to the questions asked.
"Why did you choose the justice ministry?" Maliki said, recalling one of the transcripts he had consulted, to which the suspect replied: "Because it has a lot of glass and would maximise the number of victims."
"Who ordered you to do this," Maliki continued, saying the suspect answered: "The Baath party," according to the transcript.
The attacks, which also left 500 people wounded,
punctured confidence in Iraq`s security forces and led to the arrests of more than 60 soldiers and police, including 13 officers, for negligence.
Maliki, whose political strength as premier has been built on security gains and being able to lessen the country`s violent death toll, said the October 25 toll included 30 children killed at two nurseries for justice ministry workers.
Bureau Report
