Three charged with plot to kill ex Iraqi premier

German prosecutors today said that they have charged three Iraqis with plotting to kill former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi during a visit to Germany in 2004.

Federal prosecutors said they filed the charges on November 10 with a state court in Stuttgart against the three, who are suspected of being members of radical Islamic group Ansar al-Islam.

The suspects – who have been identified only as Ata R., 31, Mazen A. H., 23, and Rafik M. Y., 31 – were arrested on December 3 last year on suspicion they were planning an attack on Allawi while he visited Germany.

The three have been charged with membership of a foreign terrorist group as well as conspiracy to kill Allawi.

Ata R., the alleged ringleader, and Mazen H. were also charged of breaking German export laws, prosecutors said in a statement.

They are also suspected of helping organise funds and recruits for Ansar al-Islam, which is believed to include Arab al Qaida members who fled the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2002.