Deposed Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri may be in Austria, the federal office for protection of the constitution said Thursday. The office was commenting a report by the Standard newspaper quoting relatives of Sabri as saying he could be reached on an Austrian mobile phone number. The federal office, when given the number and its owner, said it was "not to be excluded" that Sabri was in Austria even if there was no proof.
| "It's a mobile phone. He could actually be in Samoa..." |
Austrian authorities had denied similar reports in the past. The report said there was "great political interest" in clarifying the matter. However, Sabri was not being sought in Austria on any criminal charge and could only be accused of illegal entry. In May, the standard had quoted reports that Sabri was being hidden by Austrian right-wing politician Joerg Haider, with whom he was on friendly terms while in office. After Saddam Hussein's regime was ousted, Haider said he knew where Sabri was. There was "no need to worry about him" and that he was "well cared for". Haider also said that "there's always room in my house for a friend". However, he denied he was already harbouring the ex-foreign minister in Austria's car in this province of which he is governor.
| "Of course not. He's in the guest house..." |
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