Assassination attempt fails

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 1

Assassination attempt fails

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BEIRUT, September 1. The pro-Egyptian daily newspaper, “Al-Moharrer, said today that the Iraqi President, Ahmed Hassan Bakr, was hit by two bullets in his left arm and shoulder in an unsuccessful assassination attempt by an Army officer.

The paper said the attempt took place on August 26 at a garden dinner party at the Republican Palace to mark the graduation of a group of cadets from the military academy. “Al-Moharrer” said in its report that lights in the palace were switched off suddenly after the shooting and the officer was able to get away in a civilian car waiting outside a palace gate. President Bakr was taken to hospital for an emergency

operation to remove the two bullets, the paper said. The officer was found dead the next day in a Bagdad suburb with several bullets in his neck and head, it said. The newspaper said that the identity of the officer was not disclosed, and Iraqi authorities were conducting the investigation in complete secrecy. About 200 officers were being detained pending investigation, it said. Inquiries were also being conducted with palace officials to find out why the lights were switched off when the shooting took place, the newspaper said.