UK, U.S. aided Jundullah kidnapping: Iranian official
December 14, 2008 - 0:0
A senior Iranian says British and U.S. forces were involved in the abduction of 16 police officers by Jundullah militants.
Abdolmalek Rigi's terrorist ring (Jundullah) did not carry out the abduction and murder of 15 Iranian police officers alone. We have obtained information, which shows that British forces helped them by providing critical intelligence,” First Deputy Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday.“According to the available information the Americans also gave some assistance to the group,” he added.
On June 12, Jundullah militants abducted 16 police officers from a borderline checkpoint in the city of Saravan situated in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan.
The armed separatist group said that it would not free the kidnapped officers unless Tehran agrees to release 200 Jundullah members from Iranian prisons.
Facing the government's refusal to give into their demands, the cell killed three of the hostages in June and the remaining 13 on December 3.
In July, Pakistan's former Army Chief, Retired General Mirza Aslam Baig, said Washington had been providing Jundullah with financial aid and training facilities to create unrest and strain Tehran-Islamabad relations.
In 2007, ABC News also aired a report, which suggested that, the group responsible 'for the deaths and kidnappings of Iranian soldiers and officials… has been secretly encouraged and advised by American officials.'
July reports also indicate that in 2007, the U.S. Congress secretly passed a bill proposed by President George W. Bush, requesting $400-million to fund covert operations in Iran.
According to the legislation, the U.S. government is permitted to provide financial assistance to recognized terrorist groups such as the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) and Jundullah.
The group's ringleader Abdolmalek Rigi denies links to Washington and says his terrorist network is a 'national movement'.
(Source: Press TV)-