Abu Sayyaf confirms Iraq funding

A Muslim extremist leader confirmed yesterday that his group, the Abu Sayyaf, has received funds from Iraq to support its terrorist operations.

Hamsiraji Sali, alias Jose Ramirez, said in a statement that Abu Durachman served as the go-between for these funds.

Sali is wanted by the United States and has a US$1 million (HK$7.8 million) price on his head for the kidnapping of American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and the beheading of another American, Guillermo Sobero, two years ago.

The radical said the money from Iraq meant that Abu Sayyaf no longer had to resort to kidnappings, which had been its traditional way of raising money for its operations.

Sali, who claims that he has taken over leadership of the group, issued statements of support for Iraq in November. However, the media failed to pick up on his statements and the authorities appeared to also have ignored them.

On Wednesday, a top government official said Iraq was providing money to Abu Sayyaf.

Separately, Nilo Barandino, who has been pursuing Abu Sayyaf members who abducted him and his family, said members of the group had boasted to relatives since last year about Iraq being a generous donor.