Iraqi deputy health minister arrested on suspicion of aiding Shiite militia News
Iraqi deputy health minister arrested on suspicion of aiding Shiite militia

[JURIST] Iraq Deputy Health Minister Hakim Zamili [Iraq Ministry of Health website] has been arrested in an apparent security crackdown in Baghdad, according to a report [text] by the US military Thursday. According to military officials, Zamili had been infiltrating members of the Mehdi Army militia [BBC backgrounder], headed by militant Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr [BBC profile], into the Iraq ministry. Zamili's brother, another Health Ministry employee, has denied the allegations.

Just yesterday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki [BBC profile] announced the beginning of a renewed security push [AP report] in the Baghdad area. On Sunday, the US military announced [Reuters report] that a large-scale offensive against militants was set to get underway in the wake of President Bush's announcement last month [AP report] that 21,500 more US soldiers would be deployed to Iraq. A similar effort was made last summer, but was unsuccessful. Critics blamed the failure on a lack of trained troops and Maliki's lack of assertiveness against Sadr and his militia. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia

On September 5, 1774, the first assembly of the Continental Congress, forerunner of the US Congress, convened in Philadelphia to protest the so-called "Intolerable Acts" passed by the British Parliament. Review the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress.

France passes conscription law

On September 5, 1798, France promulgated a conscription policy with the passage of the Jourdan Law. The law instituted a draft for all males between the ages of twenty and twenty-five with exceptions for clergy, holders of public office, and certain students and industrial workers. The law also allowed the wealthy to pay for someone else to take their place in the military.