Saddam's Half-Brother Captured, Reportedly in Syria

Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti was one of the leaders of Saddam's infamous Security Service and served as an adviser to Saddam, and the Iraqi government news release announcing his capture said he "has killed and tortured Iraqi citizens."

Contacted by phone, Multinational Force Iraq officials had no immediate comment. The Iraqi government release provided no details on the time, place or circumstances of the capture, but news reports say he was captured in Syria.

"Sabawi's detention comes from the insistence of the Iraqi government in chasing and detaining all criminals who have committed massacres and have their hands stained with the blood of the Iraqi nation," said Thair al-Nakib, spokesman for interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, quoted in the Iraqi news release's English translation. "We will bring them to the justice so that they are punished."

Tikriti contributed effectively in planning, supervising and carrying out many terrorist acts inside Iraq, the Iraqi government news release said. He was the 6 of diamonds in the deck of cards identifying 55 former regime officials wanted by the coalition in Iraq.

In a more recent list of 29 most-wanted insurgents for whom the interim Iraqi government has issued arrest warrants, Tikriti was identified as a financier of insurgent attacks against Iraqis. Because of his close relationship with Saddam's regime, his entry on the list says, he has been designated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 as having stolen assets from the Iraqi people. A $1 million reward had been offered for information leading to his death or capture.