Maliki slams raid on Basra jail as 'illegal and irresponsible act' , orders probe, promises punishment

An Iraqi policeman stands amid scattered clothes and blankets in a holding cell at the Iraqi police intelligence directorate in Basra

Baghdad - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki reacted with fury on Sunday to a raid on his interior ministry's intelligence office in Basra by Iraqi and coalition troops, demanding that they be punished...

Prime Minister Maliki has ordered an investigation into the raid and has demanded that those behind this illegal and irresponsible act be punished," said a statement from the premier's office...

Soldiers stormed the local headquarters of the Iraqi interior ministry's domestic intelligence agency in the southern port city of Basra and released more than 37 prisoners being held there, Iraqi police told AFP.

"In the early hours of this morning there was a search and detention operation by the Iraqi counter-terrorist force supported by multinational forces," said British spokesperson Major David Gell. "Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of serious terrorist activity, including involvement with roadside bombs and attacks against both civilians and multinational forces," he added. "The Iraqi national intelligence building was subsequently struck and further evidence of significant criminal activity, such as torture, was found."

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