Militant claims he had role in Bigley slaying

AN ISLAMIC militant knows where in Iraq the body of slain hostage Kenneth Bigley is - because he played a role in his death, the militant's lawyer said yesterday.

Osman Karahan, the lawyer for Louia al-Sakka, said he planned to give a press conference on the matter on Saturday.

Asked specifically about reports that his client played a role in Bigley's death and knew where his body was, Karahan said, "Yes, it's true".

Al-Sakka, a Turkish-speaking Syrian, is known for wild outbursts and for his unrepentant advocacy of violence in what he calls a holy war against non-Muslims.

Bigley was beheaded in 2004 while working as an engineer in Iraq.

The Guardian reported yesterday that the associate of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the organisation's leader in Iraq, claimed to have presided over a mock trial of Mr Bigley shortly before he was beheaded.

The newspaper said al-Sakka made the confession during questioning about his alleged role in suicide bomb attacks on four targets in Istanbul.