Iraq says terrorist cell dismantled

A handcuffed suspect is escorted at the federal police headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 8, 2012. Iraqi officials say they have arrested a ring of insurgents allegedly involved in attacks in Baghdad.
A handcuffed suspect is escorted at the federal police headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 8, 2012. Iraqi officials say they have arrested a ring of insurgents allegedly involved in attacks in Baghdad.

— Iraqi security forces have arrested members of an al-Qaida-linked insurgent cell responsible for deadly attacks and robberies in Baghdad, a police official said Sunday.

Lt. Col. Nimir Sultan Halan, the head of a police intelligence unit, said that the dismantled 25-person cell belongs to Ansar al-Islam, a radical Sunni Arab group linked to al-Qaida. He did not say when the actual arrest took place.

Ansar al-Islam had previously threatened to attack the Arab League summit in Baghdad and any political or business officials associated with it. The summit, held last month, was almost violence-free.

Halan said the cell was behind robberies on money exchange companies in the capital that were used to financially support the group.

"The families of the victims have filed lawsuits against the arrested members who will stand trial," he added.

Iraqi authorities seized several bombs and pistols fitted with silencers as part of the operation, he said.

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