[On Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, Baghdad was again struck by a series of suicide
attacks. At least 55 people were killed in the Iraqi capital.]
In a statement on Jan. 22, the British government confirmed allegations
by the U.S. military that ADE651 was incapable of detecting explosives.
Instead, the device was designed to prevent theft.
The hand-held device, which consists of a swiveling antenna, has been
manufactured by Britain's ATSC. British police have arrested the
director of ATSC, James McCormick, on charges of fraud.
"Given the obvious sensitivities around this matter, the fact that an
arrest has been made, and in order to preserve the integrity of the
investigation, we cannot discuss it any further at this time," British
police said.
Iraq has bought more than 1,600 ADE651s for the security forces for
operations in Basra, Baghdad and Mosul. Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Bolani
has insisted that the devices helped prevent numerous car bombings.
"They managed to prevent and detect more than 16,000 bombs that
threatened lives, and more than 733 car bombs were defused," Bolani said.
Bolani said the allegations against ADE651 stemmed from unfamiliarity by
testers. The minister said the device has been a target of a defamation
campaign by Western competitors.
"Not all those who use the instrument are fully trained," Bolani said
"The instrument's efficiency depends on the training of the user."
Iraq has paid between $16,500 and $60,000 for ADE651. In 2009, the U.S.
military deemed the device useless and urged the Iraqi Interior Ministry to
return the equipment.
A senior Iraqi official said the ministry was warned in 2008 that ADE651
could not detect explosives. The official, Interior Ministry
inspector-general Aqeel Turaihi, charged that the contract for the device
appeared fraudulent. He said a government panel was scheduled to submit a
report on the device on Jan. 26.
"We will begin to gather evidence to find out how this equipment was
sold to Iraq," Iraqi parliamentary Defense and Security committee Hadi Al
Ameri said. "If the firm [ATSC] was responsible, we will seek compensation
through the Foreign Ministry."
