Iraq judge drops Chalabi charges

September 28, 2004

An Iraqi judge has confirmed that criminal charges against politician Ahmed Chalabi have been temporarily dropped for lack of evidence.

Judge Zuhair al-Maliki issued a warrant in August over an alleged counterfeit operation but Mr Chalabi was not arrested on return to Iraq from Iran.

The politician once seen as a US favourite said in early September that the charges had been dropped.

Judge Maliki confirmed the case had been dropped at a hearing last week.

However, he told the Associated Press news agency that charges could be re-filed if more evidence was uncovered.

The original charge relates to counterfeit Iraqi cash reportedly found in Mr Chalabi's home during a raid by US and Iraqi forces in May.

An aide to Mr Chalabi, Haiydar al-Mousawi, said he was sure no evidence would be found "because there [had been] no evidence from the beginning".

Separate murder charges against Mr Chalabi's nephew, Salem Chalabi, still stand, Judge Maliki said last week.

He was responding to a statement by Salem Chalabi, who has been living in the UK, that those charges had also been dropped.

"The investigation is still going on - I don't know why he is saying that," said the judge.

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