Swiss demand more details of Iraqi death
The United States has provided Switzerland with details about the death of a Swiss-Iraqi citizen in Baghdad. The Swiss are demanding more precise information.
In a letter addressed to the Iraqi government and also sent to the Swiss authorities, the US army admitted that it had been involved in what it called a “tragic accident”.
Salah Jmor, who held dual Swiss and Iraqi nationality, was killed on June 28 this year as he drove along a Baghdad highway. His family claim that he was killed by an American soldier.
The US has yet to provide the Swiss foreign ministry with a complete account of events. In particular, Switzerland has not received the US army’s full report into the incident.
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has informed the US authorities that the Swiss government expects more information.
A spokesman for the foreign ministry said that the US ambassador to Bern, Pamela Willeford, had promised to intervene in Washington to ensure that Switzerland was fully informed.
Swiss citizen
Jmor had lived in Switzerland for 25 years and was a graduate of the Graduate Institute for International Studies.
He had been a member of the Social Democratic Party in Geneva for the past five years. Jmor supported the rights of Kurds, publishing a book on the issue.
He was opposed to the US intervention in Iraq and had reportedly been approached about becoming a member of the Kurdish regional government in Iraq.
swissinfo with agencies
Salah Jmor, who held dual Swiss and Iraqi nationality, was killed on June 28 this year as he drove past a US patrol on a Baghdad highway.
A week later, the US ambassador to Switzerland expressed regret to Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey over the killing and called for rapid clarification.
The US has now confirmed the first details of the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
However, Calmy-Rey has informed the US authorities that the Swiss government expects more information.
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