Iraq presidential guards charged with bank robbery

Five members of Iraq’s presidential guard are facing trial accused of a deadly Baghdad bank robbery amid a surge in the country’s crime rate.

Armed robberies targeting jewellery stores, currency exchanges and pawn shops are on the rise as the sectarian violence that nearly tore the country apart has dramatically reduced.

Today four gunmen were involved in a shootout with police as they tried to flee a bank in Baghdad’s central Karradah district.

The gunmen had Interior Ministry identification cards that allowed them access to the bank and once in, forced bank employees into a room at gunpoint.

The men surrendered after the gunfight and a woman bank employee was later arrested on suspicion of working with them. No one was hurt.

The attempted robbery came amid concerns about possible infiltration of criminals and militants among Iraq’s security forces. The issue was highlighted following the arrest of five members of Iraq’s presidential guard on charges they staged a pre-dawn robbery that left eight security guards dead.

The men are accused of robbing the state-run Rafidain Bank in Baghdad on July 28.

Warrants have been issued for three other members of the presidential security detail, who also have been implicated and remain at large, said a spokesman for Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council.

Authorities have said the July robbery was a rogue act committed by men belonging to the security detail charged with protecting Iraqi officials, and denied speculation they were part of a larger conspiracy to use the money to fund insurgent groups.

The five belonged to the presidential brigade that provides security for Iraqi officials.