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