Prison Break

Al Qaeda Frontrunner Kills 18

In jail mutiny in central Baghdad.

While being interrogated inside a jail in Baghdad early on Sunday morning, an al Qaeda operative seized a security guard's gun and led a mutiny that killed 18 people, including the head of counter-terrorism for Baghdad's central Karrada district, several lieutenants, and 10 inmates. An anonymous interior ministry official said that Huthaifa al-Abatawi, who led the mutiny, was being interrogated because officials suspected his group was likely to strike out in revenge of bin Laden's death. He was arrested in November 27 for heading the uprising and killings at a Baghdad church in late October. "Several investigations were on going against them, and that's why they were still being held by this unit," said an official. Followed by several other inmates, al-Abatawi seized a stash of weapons and grenades before trying to break out of the jail in a police car, but they were met with security reinforcements who killed them mid-escape. Five remaining suspects from al-Abatawi's cell remain in the prison.