(C) SAMARRA: IECI REPORTS INTIMIDATION BY IA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIRKUK 000287 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2015 TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PTER IZ SUBJECT: (C) SAMARRA: IECI REPORTS INTIMIDATION BY IA CLASSIFIED BY: Richard K. Bell, Regional Coordinator, Exec, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is a SET Tikrit cable. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY. On 10 and 11 October, IECI employees in the Samarra area were victims of flagrant intimidation by Iraqi Army. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) On 12 December, the Salah Ad Din IECI director, Mr. Salah Salih made a complaint to SET officer about intimidation in Samarra. He said that on 10 December, Iraqi Army (IA) beat up an IECI bodyguard and arrested his two teenaged sons. When SET officer asked for an explanation as to the reason, he said the IA were trying to intimidate the man as an IECI representative. ¶4. (C) He then said that on 11 December, the IECI manager for Samarra reported intimidation, again by the IA. The manager was home in the evening, when he and his family heard gunfire in the street, allegedly by IA. When the IA entered his home, they were wearing civilian clothes. Because of his position with the IECI, the manager decided he was the intended target, and he decided to run, managing to escape the home. The IA arrested the manager's two brothers who were in the home. Before they left, the IA members said they were representing a political entity (but apparently not which one),and wanted the manager to know that they were watching him. ¶5. (C) Mr. Salah reported this incident to the Salah Ad Din Provincial Joint Coordination Center (PJCC),where the IA representative has promised quick action, and an investigation. ¶6. (C) COMMENT. This is not typical in the Samarra area, where intimidation tends to result in death. However, in the January 2005 election and the October 2005 referendum, there were no reports of flagrant intimidation in the Samarra area. ¶7. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED. Additionally, there is an unconfirmed report that all four men have been released from custody. END COMMENT. BELL