“Mullah Ismael Susai was arrested three weeks ago and had connections to ISIS. His case has been referred to court,” Tariq Nuri, head of Erbil Asayesh (security), told Rudaw.
According to information obtained by Rudaw, the three Erbil attackers may have had contact with the detained cleric. This may explain why security forces chose to announce the arrest on Tuesday.
The attackers have been named as Rahel Mohammad Rostam (16), Abdulrahman Rahim Qader (16), and Bilal Sleman Abdulrahman (18).
Three gunmen attacked the offices of the Erbil governorate on Monday morning, entering the building at 7:00 a.m. and taking two hostages. After hours of fighting, security forces killed all three attackers. One of the civilian hostages died of injuries sustained during the incident and the other was rescued unharmed.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Susai was fired by the KRG Religious and Endowment Ministry in 2010 and banned from preaching. He later published his sermons on YouTube and other media platforms. He was also arrested in 2011 by the Asayesh.
Nabaz Ismael, spokesperson of the KRG religious ministry, said it played no part in Susai’s arrest.
“The arrest of preacher Ismael Susai has nothing to do with us,” Ismael said, adding they were in constant coordination with the security forces.
