2 robbery, rape, armed operations gangs nabbed in Basra

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: Two gangs were arrested on charges of armed robbery, rape and armed operations in different areas of the city of Basra on Thursday, according to Basra’s police chief. “The first gang consists of five persons involved in armed robbery and rape while the second one, consisting of four persons, was arrested on charges of involvement in armed operations with improvised explosive devices and assassinations targeting civilians and policemen in Basra,” Maj. General Adel Dahham said in a press conference. “Initial investigations showed that the second gang was involved in the assassination of two police officers in the rank of lt. colonel in Basra in 2007,” he said. The oil-rich port of Basra, Iraq’s only outlet to the sea, lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AmR (P) 3