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Kidnapped or Defected? Top Iranian General Disappears
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ShareMarch 05, 2007 5:28 PM
The mysterious disappearance of an Iranian general in Turkey in early February has led to speculation he either was kidnapped or defected.
Iran has reportedly asked Interpol to investigate the general's disappearance. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted by Iran's news agency today as saying that a foreign ministry official was currently in Turkey to investigate the disappearance and has asked the Turkish government "to inquire into the issue and give explanation on Asgari's whereabouts."
One respected analyst with sources in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard says Gen. Ali Reza Asgari has defected and is now in a European country with his entire family, where he is cooperating with the U.S.
Other reports have suggested that the general may have been kidnapped by the Israeli secret service, the Mossad. A spokesperson at the CIA declined to comment on the reported defection.
"This is a fatal blow to Iranian intelligence," said the source, explaining that Asgari knows sensitive information about Iran's nuclear and military projects. Iran called tens of its Revolutionary Guard agents working at embassies and cultural centers in Arab and European countries back to Tehran out of fear that Asgari might disclose secret information about their identities, according to the analyst.
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There are conflicting reports about how and when Asgari disappeared. The general, according to Turkish and Israeli press reports, arrived in Istanbul from Damascus on Feb. 7. Initial reports speculated he may have been kidnapped because he failed to show up at a hotel that had been booked for him by two non-Turkish men.
The source, however, believes Asgari's disappearance was prompted by the detention of five Iranians after the raid on their government's liaison office in Irbil, Iraq in January. Asgari, 63, knew and may have worked with some of the detained men, said the analyst.
Asgari's years with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian defense ministry would make him an invaluable source of information. He was reportedly based in Lebanon in the 1990s and was in charge of ties with the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.
At one point he was also in charge of military purchases at the defense ministry and exposed widespread corruption there which led to the arrest of a number of officials. Most recently, he worked as a consultant for the same ministry.
March 5, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (26)
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'At one point he was also in charge of military purchases at the defense ministry and exposed widespread corruption there which led to the arrest of a number of officials. Most recently, he worked as a consultant for the same ministry.'
That's pretty interesting. The US government refuses to keep a lid on the vast corruption in it's ranks, yet Iran has the common sense and dignity to do so.
When will the press stop demonizing Iran, and help open the doors to compromise and peace?
Posted by: Eric | Mar 5, 2007 6:51:45 PM
I can only think of Nelson from The Simpsons: HA HA
Posted by: GRIMMUS | Mar 5, 2007 6:53:30 PM
Let us hope and pray that US agents hvae convinced the general to switch sides. May this proable war be descalated down and negotiated and may whoever has the General use his intelligence to prevent more bloodshed.
Posted by: Glen W. Livingston | Mar 5, 2007 7:09:11 PM
Sounds like the General was kidnapped to me. If I had to guess, I'd say in U.S. or Israeli hands. I do not trust my government (U.S.) anymore.
R. Phillips
Posted by: RPhillips | Mar 5, 2007 7:15:52 PM
As if spies working under diplomatic cover are not already known by their opposites.
Posted by: John Ryan | Mar 5, 2007 7:35:16 PM
he defected! duh. The West now knows much more about Iran (read everything) than could ever be hoped. the game is over.
Posted by: bill | Mar 5, 2007 7:57:30 PM
This could be an indication of the efficacy of President Bush's "surge," could it not?
Posted by: bollingl | Mar 5, 2007 8:10:08 PM
wow. this is huge.
Posted by: Joe | Mar 5, 2007 8:15:24 PM
He's probably spying on the United States for Iran
Posted by: Aaron | Mar 5, 2007 9:18:44 PM
It's about time we have a preemptive policy that works. I say, kiddnap each and every one of these guys with information to better guide the US policy.If we cant do it spies, lets do it this way. Anything is better then invade first, then learn the truth.
Posted by: george | Mar 5, 2007 9:22:31 PM
Sounds like a KGB ops deal - Make him dissappear and then blame others quickly to divert scrutiny.
Posted by: spechunter | Mar 5, 2007 9:59:23 PM
Some good news fo a change..! lets hope he is still alive...
Posted by: Spaggy Thomas | Mar 5, 2007 9:59:51 PM
Either way...score one for the good guys!
Posted by: Big Tuna | Mar 5, 2007 10:42:19 PM
Great analsys. I hope it is true. If he defects and wants to save is country, what a great play.
Posted by: Dave | Mar 6, 2007 12:31:00 AM
I hope we have him and he's providing intelligence on whether those nuts are playing the "holy" endgame predicted by Nostradamus.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 6, 2007 6:34:47 AM
Defected or kidnapped, I hope the Iranian General is providing lots of good info that we need on Iran. God bless America and the reasons why America was founded. If you don't like America and what it TRULY stands for,(American constitution as written by our founding fathers)---then why are ya'll still here???
Posted by: Mark | Mar 6, 2007 11:47:32 AM
To ABC: Holy moly. You guys are breaking major story after major story. Day in and day out. You've got the goods, and the guts.
Bravo!
And just keep ignoring these goofballs who wail about your "helping the enemy." The vast majority of us understand - you're helping to prevent us from BECOMING the enemy.
Posted by: Alex R. | Mar 6, 2007 1:00:51 PM
America cave N 2 the Iranians for the sake of comprise and peace???
Sounds like a sound bite from the Communist Manifesto!!
Yea, let's cave N and then I guess that we can enjoy watching our loved ones being beheaded!!
Posted by: russel pug | Mar 6, 2007 7:39:29 PM
"Yea, let's cave N"
Russel, What is Cave N? Is that where Bin Laden is hiding?
Posted by: Dave S | Mar 7, 2007 7:36:55 AM
I did not mean to leak information I trying to investagate as soon as possible time is important
Posted by: Muttaki | Mar 7, 2007 11:43:32 AM
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