Pakistan May Turn Over U.S. 'Spies' to Iran
Iran Claims Jundullah Militants, Led by Abdel Malik Regi, Are 'Spies' for the CIA
By RICHARD ESPOSITO and BRIAN ROSS
May 23, 2008
In another sign of growing tensions with the United States, Pakistan is threatening to turn over to Iran six members of a tribal militant group Iran claims are "spies" for the CIA.
Jundullah
Iran claims the militant group, Jundullah, led by Abdel Malik Regi, pictured bottom right, are "spies" for the CIA.
(ABC News)
The group, Jundullah, operates in Baluchistan on both sides of the border between Iran and Pakistan and has carried out a number of violent attacks on Iranian army facilities and officers inside the country.
The CIA has denied any direct ties with the group, but U.S. officials tell ABC News U.S. intelligence officers frequently meet and advise Jundullah leaders, and current and former intelligence officers are working to prevent the men from being sent to Iran.
The six Jundullah members were taken into custody by Pakistani authorities last week, and the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported Pakistan would soon extradite the men to Iran, where they would likely be put on trial as spies and face execution.
ABC News: Pakistan May Turn Over U.S. 'Spies' to Iran