US defends Hakim's detention
Protests feared as Al Hakim's brief detention angers Shiites
Baghdad : The US military on Saturday defended the detention of the son of a Shiite leader, saying his convoy was stopped for displaying "suspicious activities".
US troops detained Ammar Al Hakim, the eldest son of Abdul Aziz Al Hakim who is one of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders, for nearly 12 hours on Friday before releasing him, officials said.
Shiite reaction to the detention was quick. In Basra, at least 1,000 supporters critical of Washington protested against the detention.
Hakim's convoy was stopped at the Badrah checkpoint in eastern Wasit province as he returned from Iran, security officials said.
US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher said the detention is common security procedure and that Hakim was treated "with dignity and respect throughout the incident".
However, Hakim said his arrest was "disrespectful". "They cuffed my hands and blindfolded my eyes. They raised their weapons against me," he said after his release.
Shiite officials called the detention a "cowboy" action and said it could spark more protests.
"There was clear provocation from the Americans. Ammar is a well-known figure. He is not a government figure but a religious figure," said Hameed Mualla, a senior lawmaker from Al Hakim's party Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).
