Malagasy Gendarmes Arrest Three in Khalifa Murder

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000175 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E MBEYZEROV DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF AKORT DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA DROTHSTEIN PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER D'ELIA PRETORIA FOR MBONNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER MA SUBJECT: Malagasy Gendarmes Arrest Three in Khalifa Murder REF: A. Antananarivo 0098 ¶B. Antananarivo 0109 ¶1. (SBU) Gendarmerie contacts confirmed to the RSO February 20 that three Malagasy men suspected in the murder of Jamal Khalifa were arrested in the southern part of Madagascar (reftels). A fourth suspect who attempted to flee was shot and killed. Police did not recover any of the stolen items and consider the investigation almost complete. One newspaper, "Midi", reported the investigation was complicated because the Gendarmerie did not have an Arabic translator. ¶2. (SBU) In the three weeks since Khalifa, brother-in-law of Osama bin Laden and reported financier of Abu Sayef, was murdered, press interest in the case has continued: speculation about the possible al-Qaeda connection, reports of the charter plane that returned Khalifa's remains to Saudi Arabia, and questions about Madagascar's security and possible exposure to terrorism. ¶3. (SBU) The disreputable but widely-read "La Gazette" printed an email message which criticized the inadequate investigation into Khalifa's murder. The email was signed "Fazul Abdullah Mohamed," but the paper speculates the message was more likely written by a "follower" in southern Madagascar. The email message further suggests that Malagasy authorities and "western intelligence agencies" were complicit in the "assassination" of Khalifa. While "La Gazette" is broadly known to not be credible, it still has the effect of fuelling rumors. ¶4. (SBU) 21 days after Khalifa's murder, there seems to be little progress in identifying his killers or securing his stolen property. Post will only report further if there are significant developments. MCGEE