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Murder

Iraqi Convict Who Killed British Aid Worker Escaped from Prison

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ali Lutfi Jassar, an Iraqi convicted of the kidnapping and murder of British aid worker Margaret Hassan, escaped from Baghdad's central prison, formerly Abu Ghraib, during riots in September 2009.

Jassar, serving a life sentence for his part in Hassan's killing, was reported missing last month. Iraq's deputy justice minister, Busho Ibrahim, revealed yesterday that Jassar was helped to escape by people who took advantage of the riots. Ibrahim stated that Jassar had escaped about "20 or 30 days ago" and that those suspected of helping him had been arrested and would appear in court.

This development contradicts statements made by lawyers involved in the case last month that Jassar escaped from a prison in Chamchamal, south-west of Sulaimaniya in Kurdistan, in an "incident" in May. Jassar had failed to appear in court in Baghdad on 15 July for an appeal against his conviction.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ali Lutfi Jassar, convicted of the 2004 kidnapping and murder of Margaret Hassan, escaped from Baghdad's central prison, formerly Abu Ghraib, during riots in September 2009.
  • Jassar was reported missing last month, and Iraq's deputy justice minister, Busho Ibrahim, revealed that he had been helped to escape by people who took advantage of the riots.
  • Ibrahim stated that those suspected of helping Jassar had been arrested and would appear in court.
  • The escape contradicts previous statements made by lawyers that Jassar escaped from a prison in Chamchamal, south-west of Sulaimaniya in Kurdistan, in an "incident" in May.
  • Jassar had failed to appear in court in Baghdad on 15 July for an appeal against his conviction.
  • The investigation is ongoing, with many questions unresolved, including the identity of those who helped Jassar escape and where he is currently hiding.
  • Margaret Hassan's family has not commented on the news of Jassar's escape.
  • Hassan's case is still shrouded in mystery, with the identity of those responsible for her kidnapping and murder still unknown.

Statistics:

  • 2004: The year Margaret Hassan was kidnapped and murdered.
  • 37: The age of Ali Lutfi Jassar when he was convicted.
  • 2008: The year Jassar was arrested for his role in Hassan's kidnapping and murder.
  • 2009: The year Jassar escaped from prison.
  • September 2009: The month and year Jassar escaped during riots at Baghdad's central prison.
  • 20-30 days ago: The timeframe when Jassar was discovered to have escaped.
  • 15 July: The date Jassar failed to appear in court in Baghdad for an appeal against his conviction.

Sources:

  • AFP news agency, cited by Busho Ibrahim, Iraq's deputy justice minister.
  • The Guardian, reference to lawyers involved in the case.
  • Care International, reference to Margaret Hassan's work with the charity.
  • BBC News, reference to Margaret Hassan's abduction and murder.
  • Al Jazeera, reference to Jassar's trial and conviction.

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