BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS MOJ,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002884

SIPDIS

JUSTICE FOR ODAG:JJONES, CRM:BSWARTZ, OPDAT:ANORMAN,
ICITAP:TBARTLETT, ATF: WJHOOVER
STATE FOR INL/I, NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PINS PREL PTER PNAT KCRM KJUS IZ
SUBJECT: BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS MOJ,
HJC CONTINUE TO WORK

REF: A. BAGHDAD 2814

B. BAGHDAD 2877

C. BAGHDAD 2883

Classified By: DCM Robert Ford for Reasons: 1.4 (B and D)

CONFIDENTIAL

1. (C) SUMMARY: In the wake of the October 25 car bombings at
several key GOI buildings, Embassy law enforcement personnel
have visited both sites and are working with MOI
investigators. Despite heavy damage, the MOJ and Higher
Judicial Council (HJC) have resumed partial operations both
at the headquarters and at satellite facilities. Contrary to
MOI reports indicating that 93 people were killed and 641
injured, Embassy law enforcement personnel assess that the
true death toll may be much higher; the media has widely
reported 155 dead. Embassy is working with MOJ and HJC to
determine areas where the U.S. can provide assistance. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) At approximately 1030 on October 25, 2009, two
vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) were
detonated 1-2 minutes apart outside the MOJ and Baghdad
Provincial Council buildings. (NOTE: The Ministry of Justice
building also houses the Higher Judicial Council (HJC),which
supervises the federal judiciary. The Baghdad Provincial
Council and Baghdad Governorate share a building. END NOTE).
Both facilities were heavily damaged, as was the Ministry of
Municipalities and Public works (MMPW),located across the
street from MOJ.

U.S. Explosives Experts On Scene
--------------

3. (C) In the evening of October 25, Embassy ATF Attache and
Task Force Troy,s Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell
(CEXC),comprised of explosives experts from ATF, DOD, and
FBI, visited both attack sites after obtaining MOI
permission. The team collected forensic evidence from areas
of the blast crater and surrounding walls, and examined
vehicles. On October 26, Embassy ATF agents and acting FBI
Legat revisited the bombing sites during daylight hours to
further assess the damage, communicate with MOI
investigators, and collect additional forensic evidence. As
is frequently the case in Iraq, aggressive GOI clean-up and
normalization efforts compromised the evidentiary integrity
of the blast sites. Although MOI should have the lead for
such investigations, MOI and MOD do not appear to be
coordinating efforts effectively. Embassy ATF agents report
that MOI representatives were completely absent from the MOJ
site on the night of the bombing.

MOJ, HJC Resume Limited Operations
--------------

4. (SBU) Minister of Justice Dara Noor Al-Deen Ba,ha Al Deen
cut short his official Washington visit to return to Iraq;
his delegation remained in Washington to complete their
consultations with USG officials. Deputy Justice Minister
Posho Ibrahim, whose office was completely destroyed in the
attack, has set up temporary operations in the building,s
lobby. Posho is in constant communication with Embassy,s MOJ
Senior Advisor and has reported that roughly 20 employees
died in the attack, with over 100 injured. The MOJ,s two
largest functions, the Iraqi Corrections Service (ICS) and
the Real Estate Registry Office (RERO),are largely
decentralized in offices and facilities across Iraq and were
not physically affected by the bombings.


5. (C) HJC Senior Director General for Administration Yussuf
Haddad told us October 27 that of the 400 HJC staff in the
MOJ building, 25 were killed, 25 are missing, and roughly 100
QMOJ building, 25 were killed, 25 are missing, and roughly 100
are injured. All HJC senior staff are accounted for and
survived the bombing. While the HJC continues to operate in
the building on limited power provided by a shared generator,
some staff have moved to appellate court offices throughout
Baghdad. Chief Justice and HJC President Medhat Al-Mahmoud
is in Australia attending a judicial education conference.
He remains in regular contact with HJC leadership and will
return to Baghdad on October 30.


6. (C) Haddad reported that building security is inadequate.
HJC Facilities Protection Services (FPS) shot off over 150
rounds the night of October 26 to disperse a large group of
looters. HJC has directed 80 additional FPS guards to the
building from other locations. Due to earlier budget cuts,
the HJC does not have any finances available for
reconstruction and will request emergency funding from the

BAGHDAD 00002884 002 OF 002


Prime Minister,s Office. INL is working with the HJC to
determine areas where the Embassy can assist (SEPTEL).

Comment
--------------

7. (SBU) In contrast to the August 19 MFA and MOF bombings,
the GOI has been receptive to U.S. offers of support and has
allowed us immediate access to the bombing sites. Post will
monitor GOI investigations with an eye to assessing whether
any progress in investigative procedures has been made since
August 19. While the MOJ and HJC continue to operate, the
bombing has significantly hampered operations. The Embassy is
determining what material assistance is available to help the
affected Iraqi agencies resume critical functions (SEPTEL).
HILL