Iraq asks Interpol to find Saddam's nephew

The Iraqi government has asked for Interpol’s help in securing the arrest and extradition of one of Saddam Hussein’s nephews, believed to be in Yemen and facing charges in Iraq for his alleged role in the insurgency, the US military said today.

Omar Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti has been charged with “committing acts of terror” by financing insurgents targeting US and Iraqi forces, a US statement said.

It added that the Iraqi government “fully expects Yemen’s cooperation with Interpol in extraditing Omar Sabawi” so that “the free and democratic Iraqi people can bring Omar Sabawi to justice”.

He is the son of Saddam’s half brother, Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, who was arrested in northern Iraq earlier this year.

The nephew’s brother, Ayman Sabawi, was sentenced last May to life imprisonment for his role in the insurgency.

Two other brothers have been arrested and are awaiting trial.