Afghan shooting suspects mother: "My son is innocent"

Reuters 2012-02-29

Views 160

The House belonging to Abdul Saboor, the man suspected of assassinating two Americans stationed in Afghanistan's interior ministry.

His young daughter still lives in the small village in the Salang District of Afghanistan.

His mother, engulfed by grief, says she can not believe her son could carry out such an act.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MOTHER OF CHIEF SUSPECT OF MURDER OF TWO AMERICAN OFFICERS, GUL BIBI, SAYING:

"I swear to God, whether you believe it or not, my son said that he was going to his job, so I don't know what else happened to him."

She says had no idea what was on his mind.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MOTHER OF CHIEF SUSPECT OF MURDER OF TWO AMERICAN OFFICERS, GUL BIBI, SAYING:

"I was not aware of what he was planning to do, nor was anyone else aware of all the things that have now happened. My son is a poor and helpless, innocent man, he always said to me that he goes to work."

The 25-year old Saboor is suspected of shooting two American officers at close range multiple times on Saturday deep inside the Interior Ministry. It was considered one of the country's most secure buildings.

Some locals say he has brought shame on a village once known for its resistance to the Taliban.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) VILLAGE ELDER, MALIK SAIFUDDIN, SAYING:

"We, the people of Salang, are deeply disappointed by this incident. Obviously if our villager does something well, we would be proud, but when a villager does something bad, we will be ashamed."

The killings came after violent protests broke out across Afghanistan after U.S. personnel burnt copies of the Koran.

The unrest has led to concerns that the Taliban, or anti-Western insurgents, could garner new support in parts of the country that are relatively peaceful -- eleven years into an increasingly unpopular war.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.

Share This Video


Download

  
Report form