OSAMA BIN LADEN'S BROTHER IN LAW, MOHAMMED JAMAL

S E C R E T ANTANANARIVO 000098 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E MBEYZEROV, DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF AKORT, DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA DROTHSTEIN, DEPT FOR AF/E, PRETORIA FOR MBONNER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2017 TAGS: ASEC PTER MA SUBJECT: OSAMA BIN LADEN'S BROTHER IN LAW, MOHAMMED JAMAL KHALIFA, MURDERED IN MADAGASCAR Classified By: ARSO Christopher Keenan; Reasons 1.4 (c,d) ¶1. (SBU) Post became aware of media reports early this morning that Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, brother in law of Osama bin Laden, had been murdered during a "raid" and robbery in the early morning hours of January 31, 2007. The inital report came from the Reuters bureau in Dubai; "Saudi businessman killed, relative of bin Laden", dated 02:05 hrs, 1/31/2007. ¶2. (S) The Regional Security Office verified that the report was true through local law enforcement contacts. Additionally, the contact reported that the following items were taken from the residence: a suitcase (translated from local language as a "sack"),and a laptop computer. At this time,there are no reports of suspects, witnesses or other victims. We have heard reports that Khalifa was carrying a considerable amount of cash to prepare for the upcoming mining season to begin after the rains. Our contacts believe this was the reason Khalifa became a target rather than any "political" factors. ¶3. (U) Post point of contact for this cable is RSO Christopher J. Gillis. He can be reached via email at: GillisCJ@State.gov (OpenNet); GillisCJ@State.sgov.gov, or by telephone at: IVG 590-2206, Commercial (261) (20) 22 212 57. McGEE