Monday, February 22, 2010

Iran 'arrests leader of Sunni militants Jundullah'

  

  

Map of Iran

  Iranian authorities have arrested the leader of the Sunni Muslim militant group Jundullah, according to reports on state television.

  The Arabic language al-Alam channel said Abdolmalek Rigi had been held in eastern Iran, but gave no more details.

  He is said to be behind a series of deadly bombings and killings in Sistan-Baluchistan province.

  Last October 42 people, including six Revolutionary Guard commanders, were killed in a suicide bombing in Zahedan.

  The Fars news agency, quoting the Iranian intelligence ministry, said the arrest took place of the "Jundullah leader along with two of his group members".

  Jundullah was founded in 2002 to defend the Baluchi minority in the poor, remote and lawless region of south-east Iran.

  Mr Rigi has claimed in the past that the group does not seek to break away from Iran but that violence is necessary to draw attention to discrimination.

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