02/06/2009
Hassan Kidnapper Jailed For Life
A member of the gang that kidnapped and murdered Irish-born aid worker Margaret Hassan has been jailed for life.
Mrs Hassan, 59, was the head of Iraqi operations for Care International and was kidnapped in Baghdad in October 2004. She was shot dead just under a month later.
Ali Lutfi Jassar al-Rawi pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and murder but was given a life sentence at Baghdad's Central Criminal Court today.
He was alleged to have contacted the British Embassy in Baghdad demanding money to reveal what happened to Mrs Hassan's body after she was killed.
Mr al-Rawi, also known as Abu Rasha, was seized by US special forces and Iraqi forces in August last year after they were informed about his extortion attempts.
Al-Rawi refused to give the location of Mrs Hassan's body.
Mrs Hassan was born Margaret Fitzsimons in Dublin, but her family moved to Britain when she was a child. She held triple Irish, British and Iraqi nationality and had lived in Baghdad for 30 years and was married to an Iraqi.
A tireless campaigner against the war in Iraq, Mrs Hassan was forced by her captors to appear on video of her in captivity. She pleaded for the withdrawal of British troops and stated "these might be [her] last hours".
CARE International suspended operations in Iraq because of Hassan's kidnapping. The last CARE project Hassan completed was one for children with spinal injuries.
(DW/BMcC)
Mrs Hassan, 59, was the head of Iraqi operations for Care International and was kidnapped in Baghdad in October 2004. She was shot dead just under a month later.
Ali Lutfi Jassar al-Rawi pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and murder but was given a life sentence at Baghdad's Central Criminal Court today.
He was alleged to have contacted the British Embassy in Baghdad demanding money to reveal what happened to Mrs Hassan's body after she was killed.
Mr al-Rawi, also known as Abu Rasha, was seized by US special forces and Iraqi forces in August last year after they were informed about his extortion attempts.
Al-Rawi refused to give the location of Mrs Hassan's body.
Mrs Hassan was born Margaret Fitzsimons in Dublin, but her family moved to Britain when she was a child. She held triple Irish, British and Iraqi nationality and had lived in Baghdad for 30 years and was married to an Iraqi.
A tireless campaigner against the war in Iraq, Mrs Hassan was forced by her captors to appear on video of her in captivity. She pleaded for the withdrawal of British troops and stated "these might be [her] last hours".
CARE International suspended operations in Iraq because of Hassan's kidnapping. The last CARE project Hassan completed was one for children with spinal injuries.
(DW/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
26 March 2024
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
Health And Social Care Easter Arrangements Outlined
The Department of Health has announced arrangements for health and social care services over the Easter holiday period, encouraging everyone to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
07 August 2009
Referendum Sought Over Civil Appeal Court
A high-level judicial committee is calling for a referendum to establish a full-time Court of Appeal. At present the Supreme Court deals with all civil appeals from the High Court. The average waiting-time for an appeal to the Supreme Court has increased from four to 30 months in the past five years.
Referendum Sought Over Civil Appeal Court
A high-level judicial committee is calling for a referendum to establish a full-time Court of Appeal. At present the Supreme Court deals with all civil appeals from the High Court. The average waiting-time for an appeal to the Supreme Court has increased from four to 30 months in the past five years.
02 June 2011
Almost 70,000 Carers To Receive Respite Grant This Year
Almost 70,000 carers are due to receive the Respite Care Grant, the majority of them this week. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.
Almost 70,000 Carers To Receive Respite Grant This Year
Almost 70,000 carers are due to receive the Respite Care Grant, the majority of them this week. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.