AQIM MEMBER ABOU RIHANA ARRESTED IN ALGIERS

UNCLAS ALGIERS 000309


FOR DS/IP/NEA, S/CT, DS/ICI/CI AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER KISL AG
SUBJECT: AQIM MEMBER ABOU RIHANA ARRESTED IN ALGIERS


1. (U) The Algerian government has reported the arrest of
senior AQIM leader Abou Rihana aka Z. Kamel. Rihana was
described as being responsible for preparing the December
2007 suicide vehicle attacks in the capital city of Algiers.
He allegedly planned both the United Nations and the Algerian
Constitutional Court suicide VBIED bombings on December 11,
2007, which killed more than 40 people. His arrest took
place in an Algiers district known as Baraki, close to the
border with the wilaya (province) of Blida.


2. (U) On March 22, local newspapers reported that security
forces arrested AQIM member Abou Rihana aka Z. Kamel in the
Baraki precinct of Algiers. Rihana, who was under
surveillance by military personnel, was followed to a
residence. Subsequently, military officials entered the
premises and placed him under arrest without incident.
During his arrest, authorities recovered an automatic weapon,
munitions, food, a cellular phone, CDs, bomb-making
materials, and an undisclosed amount of money. It is unknown
if, at the time, Rihana was planning an attack in Algiers or
if he had a list of possible targets. Rihana is currently
under military control. RSO will continue to work with the
local authorities to learn more about Rihana's plans in the
wilaya of Algiers.

Biographical Information:


3. (U) Abou Rihana aka Z. Kamel is a 52-year old native of
Bordj El Kifane, Algeria. He is one of the original members
of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). Prior to becoming a member
of GIA, he was a student pursuing a chemistry degree,
purportedly at the University of Algiers. He is a 13-year
veteran of Islamic terrorist organizations in Algeria.
Rihana was directly implicated in the December 11, 2007
attacks carried out in Algiers.


4. (U) Point of contact for this report is DRSO Miguel A.
Eversley.

PEARCE