US embassy cable - 05AMMAN5417

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Identifier:	05AMMAN5417
Wikileaks:	View 05AMMAN5417 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Amman
Created:	2005-07-06 13:12:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	ASEC PTER SY JO
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005417 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, SY, JO 
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN SYRIA 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Post security contacts on July 5 confirmed press 
reports that Syrian authorities arrested a Jordanian 
fugitive, Sharif Ayid al-Smadi, wanted in Jordan on charges 
of murder, armed robbery, and theft.  Jordan's state 
prosecutor on June 23 had charged Smadi and two of his 
brothers (Mohammed, also on the run and believed to be in 
Syria, and Thaer, currently in Jordanian custody) with 
plotting to commit criminal acts against citizens and their 
financial assets and possessing an illegal weapon 
(machinegun) with illicit intent.  Syrian forces captured 
Smadi following a shootout as they raided their safehouse, 
according to Jordanian authorities.  An unknown number of 
suspects were killed in the shootout and at least one other 
person was arrested.  Press reports indicate that the Syrians 
also arrested Mohammad al-Smadi's wife.  Terrorist links have 
not been ruled out, but one security official told us that 
reports that the men have links to al-Qa'ida are untrue. 
 
2.  (U)  According to Jordanian authorities, the Smadi 
brothers have committed several crimes along with other 
family members (dubbed the Udwan Mills Gang because they were 
captured in a police raid in the Udwan Mills village near the 
town of Sukhneh northeast of Amman).  Mohammed and Sharif 
have been on the run since escaping from authorities while 
being escorted to court from their prison in June 2004. 
Jordanian security officials are in "constant contact" with 
their Syrian counterparts about the matter and will release 
more information to the public as it becomes available, Head 
of the Public Security Department Media Office, Major Bashir 
Daaja, told reporters. 
 
Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through 
the Department of State's SIPRNET home page. 
HALE