3 charged in Allawi plot in Germany

BERLIN, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- German prosecutors have charged three Iraqis with plotting to kill Iraq's former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi last December.

One of the suspects, identified as Ata R., 31, was arrested in Stuttgart. He is suspected of being the ringleader and a leading member of Ansar al-Islam, which has links to al-Qaida. Ata R. is also accused of raising money to fund terrorist activity in Iran and Iraq.

The two other suspects, Mazen H., 23, and Rafik Y., 31, also are believed members of Ansar al-Islam, Deutsche Welle reports.

Investigators taped conversations involving the suspects.

"The comments led us to believe something was being planned against the Iraqi prime minister," federal prosecutor Kay Nehm said. She said one "particularly hectic" conversation prompted raids across Germany.