Security forces in the Interior Ministry apologized for abuses committed during the Saddam era, but apparently forgot to mention any acts since 2003. The ministry was well known to harbor death squads for years after the U.S.-led invasion, and accusations of torture continue to the present day. Separately, the ministry demanded the Kurds hand over Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, who is wanted on charges of terrorism that many believe are trumped up.
At least six Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in new violence.
A pair of bombs killed two pilgrims and wounded 13 others just north of Karbala. City officials tightened security afterwards.
Two policemen were killed and three more were wounded when gunmen attacked a Falluja checkpoint. One civilian was also killed. Four explosions were reported, wounding at least three people.
In Baghdad, a bomb wounded three people in the Saidiya district.
A man in Chamchamal said his shepherd son was murdered by Asayesh agents last night at home.
In Kirkuk, a bomb exploded near the home of a college official, wounding him and his wife.
A blast outside the home of a health employee in Hawija wounded him and his son.
A roadside bomb in Saidiya wounded an official of the Kurdistan Communist Party.
In Mosul, a bomb outside a lawmaker’s home wounded a bystander.
Five rockets targeting pilgrims traveling through Iskandariya were discovered and defused.
