Iraq's Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi has accused Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of orchestrating raids to kidnap members of his staff.
Al-Issawi said late on December 20 that troops visited his office and home and abducted more than 100 bodyguards and staff.
Al-Issawi is a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc and a political rival of Maliki's Shi'ite-led government.
A Supreme Judicial Council spokesman said on December 20 that the chief of the minister's protection force was arrested two days previously on terrorism-related charges following confessions by some suspects.
One year ago, Iraqi authorities sought the arrest of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi and his bodyguards, accusing him of running death squads.
Al-Hashimi fled to Turkey and was sentenced to death in absentia.
Al-Issawi said late on December 20 that troops visited his office and home and abducted more than 100 bodyguards and staff.
Al-Issawi is a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc and a political rival of Maliki's Shi'ite-led government.
A Supreme Judicial Council spokesman said on December 20 that the chief of the minister's protection force was arrested two days previously on terrorism-related charges following confessions by some suspects.
One year ago, Iraqi authorities sought the arrest of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi and his bodyguards, accusing him of running death squads.
Al-Hashimi fled to Turkey and was sentenced to death in absentia.
