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NATO forces in Afghanistan admit that alleged US vigilantes conned them
Kabul: Three alleged American vigilantes tricked NATO peacekeepers into helping them on illegal raids in the Afghan capital by requesting they send explosives experts and bomb-sniffing dogs to check three buildings where the three had arrested suspects.
A NATO spokesman said the men, led by a former US soldier, Jonathan Idema, had seemed authentic - fluent in military jargon, decked out in faux US Army fatigues and claiming to belong to a non-existent task force.
"Their credibility was such that with their uniforms, their approach, our people believed they were what they said they were," Commander Chris Henderson said.
"It was a mistake."
Afghan officials said the men, who were arrested last week, could spend 20 years in jail on charges of hostage-taking and assaulting Afghans allegedly found hanging upside down in their private jail. It was unclear whether they had been picking up innocent Afghans - or were trailing genuine militants.
Commander Henderson said Idema called in bomb disposal teams from the International Security Assistance Force to check houses and vehicles three times from June 20 to June 24. The teams found "traces" of explosives in two cases, and suspicious electronic components in the third, Commander Henderson said.
Idema, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, appeared in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US, saying in a top-selling book on the war that he had fought with Northern Alliance troops who helped the US drive out the Taliban.
Better known as Jack, he returned several weeks ago with his partners. Police say he was armed and dressed in military gear.
It is unclear whether Idema, a convicted conman who claimed to be a special adviser to Afghan security forces, was hoping to bank a huge reward for information leading to the capture of al-Qaeda fugitives. The US military insists that Idema, who has also worked with several Western TV networks, has no connection with either it or the US Government.
A Kabul judge, Abdul Baset Bakhtyari, said it would be several days before a trial of the three Americans and four Afghans arrested with them could begin.
Defending NATO's blunder, Commander Henderson said Idema was not out of the ordinary in Kabul, with its proliferation of armed Western operatives, from US spies to private security guards. When word of the operations reached higher officials a few days after the third raid they become suspiciousand contacted the US military.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/15/1089694492489.html?oneclick=true
"Their credibility was such that with their uniforms, their approach, our people believed they were what they said they were," Commander Chris Henderson said.
"It was a mistake."
Afghan officials said the men, who were arrested last week, could spend 20 years in jail on charges of hostage-taking and assaulting Afghans allegedly found hanging upside down in their private jail. It was unclear whether they had been picking up innocent Afghans - or were trailing genuine militants.
Commander Henderson said Idema called in bomb disposal teams from the International Security Assistance Force to check houses and vehicles three times from June 20 to June 24. The teams found "traces" of explosives in two cases, and suspicious electronic components in the third, Commander Henderson said.
Idema, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, appeared in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US, saying in a top-selling book on the war that he had fought with Northern Alliance troops who helped the US drive out the Taliban.
Better known as Jack, he returned several weeks ago with his partners. Police say he was armed and dressed in military gear.
It is unclear whether Idema, a convicted conman who claimed to be a special adviser to Afghan security forces, was hoping to bank a huge reward for information leading to the capture of al-Qaeda fugitives. The US military insists that Idema, who has also worked with several Western TV networks, has no connection with either it or the US Government.
A Kabul judge, Abdul Baset Bakhtyari, said it would be several days before a trial of the three Americans and four Afghans arrested with them could begin.
Defending NATO's blunder, Commander Henderson said Idema was not out of the ordinary in Kabul, with its proliferation of armed Western operatives, from US spies to private security guards. When word of the operations reached higher officials a few days after the third raid they become suspiciousand contacted the US military.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/15/1089694492489.html?oneclick=true
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The Nato-led international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan (Isaf) says it was duped by suspected bounty hunters into providing bomb disposal services.
Three Americans were arrested in Kabul on 5 July for allegedly running a private jail.
An Isaf spokesman said its personnel were fooled by the US-style uniforms and professional approach of the men.
He said one of the men, former US soldier Jonathan K Idema, had called in bomb-disposal services three times.
The three Americans were arrested along with four Afghans after a raid on a house in which eight Afghan prisoners were found.
Traces of explosives
Captain Chris Henderson, spokesman for Isaf, said: "Isaf personnel believed that [Idema] was what he purported to be, which was a special operations agency and therefore they believed they were providing legitimate support to a legitimate security agency."
Captain Henderson said Idema had called in bomb-disposal teams and a sniffer dog three times in June to check buildings.
He said traces of explosives had been found in two locations and suspicious electronic parts in a third.
The fate of the eight prisoners held by the arrested men remains unclear. Afghan authorities say they have been released but locals say five have not reappeared.
After the arrests, the US State Department moved quickly to say that its arrested citizens were counter-terrorism mercenaries operating outside Washington's command.
Correspondents say the US bounty for al-Qaeda fugitives has drawn many foreign vigilantes to Afghanistan.
The US government has promised $25m for anyone who facilitates the arrest of al-Qaeda kingpin Osama Bin Laden.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3893113.stm
Three Americans were arrested in Kabul on 5 July for allegedly running a private jail.
An Isaf spokesman said its personnel were fooled by the US-style uniforms and professional approach of the men.
He said one of the men, former US soldier Jonathan K Idema, had called in bomb-disposal services three times.
The three Americans were arrested along with four Afghans after a raid on a house in which eight Afghan prisoners were found.
Traces of explosives
Captain Chris Henderson, spokesman for Isaf, said: "Isaf personnel believed that [Idema] was what he purported to be, which was a special operations agency and therefore they believed they were providing legitimate support to a legitimate security agency."
Captain Henderson said Idema had called in bomb-disposal teams and a sniffer dog three times in June to check buildings.
He said traces of explosives had been found in two locations and suspicious electronic parts in a third.
The fate of the eight prisoners held by the arrested men remains unclear. Afghan authorities say they have been released but locals say five have not reappeared.
After the arrests, the US State Department moved quickly to say that its arrested citizens were counter-terrorism mercenaries operating outside Washington's command.
Correspondents say the US bounty for al-Qaeda fugitives has drawn many foreign vigilantes to Afghanistan.
The US government has promised $25m for anyone who facilitates the arrest of al-Qaeda kingpin Osama Bin Laden.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3893113.stm
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