The Hindu : International : Immolation bid at White House

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004

International

International

Immolation bid at White House

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington: A Yemeni national set himself on fire in front of the White House on Monday after saying the way the FBI has handled his case has left him despondent. According to The Washington Post, Mohammad Alanssi (52) worked as a Federal informant on terrorism. He reached the guardhouse and asked the security personnel present to deliver a note to the President, George W Bush. When he was turned away, he ignited his jacket. Security personnel doused the flames and rushed him to hospital where he is in a critical condition with 30 per cent burns. According to the paper, Mr. Alanssi discussed with it his role in a series of interviews. He claimed that he was not well, his wife was seriously ill in Yemen with cancer and that he was unable to visit his family because the FBI, which is expecting him to testify in a terrorism trial, was retaining his passport. He is also said to be upset at the FBI for not keeping its promise of a deal — an unspecified amount of money, American citizenship and identity protection — for his cooperation. The FBI has refused comment saying its policy is not to reveal the identity of its sources.

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