Iraq politician's son arrested by US troops

US troops arrested the son of Iraq’s top Shiite politician today as he returned to the country from Iran, it was reported today.

Amar al-Hakim, son of political leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, was taken into custody at the Zirbatyah crossing and was transferred to a US base in Kut, according to the elder al-Hakim’s secretary, Jamal al-Sagheer.

Al-Sagheer said the younger al-Hakim’s security guards were also detained.

US military spokesman Lt Col Christopher Garver said he was looking into the report and “will release information as it becomes available".

Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim is leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the country’s largest Shiite party with ties to Iran.

Al-Hakim’s party is part of the Shiite alliance that includes prime minister Nouri Maliki.

US authorities have complained about Iranian weapons sales and financial aid to major Shiite parties in Iraq.