BAGHDAD: An Iraqi official says the country’s prime minister has ordered a probe into the use of bomb-detection devices Iraq bought from a British company.
Nuri Al-Maliki’s order on Sunday came one day after Britain banned the export of the hand-held machine ADE651 following media reports challenging its effectiveness.
Maliki’s adviser Yassin Majid says the investigation committee will likely look into whether there was any corruption involved in Iraq’s purchase of the machines and they will demand compensation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Majid wouldn’t say when the investigation will start or its timeframe.
Majid was referring to the ADE651, a hand-held, pistol-shaped device which uses a series of interchangeable credit card size paper cards said to be able to detect explosives such as C4 and TNT, as well as weapons.
It is manufactured by British-based company ATSC, was reputedly sold for between 16,500 and 60,000 dollars per unit, and has become ubiquitous in Iraq, having been bought in large numbers by local security forces.
Britain banned export of the device last week after tests showed it was not suitable for bomb detection. Police also arrested ATSC director Jim McCormick, 53, on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation. He was bailed pending further investigation.
The ADE651 was being used on Sunday in Baghdad, the restive northern city of Mosul and the sprawling southern city of Basra.
A US military study last June said the devices were ineffective, but Iraqi officials have defended the gadgets as useful in preventing deadly attacks.
