One of the stories reported during my travels (and they are not over yet) involves our favorite leader of Iraq (oops, current favorite leader) possibly doing something to make the man he replaced jealous:

The Australian Government has questioned claims that interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi shot dead six prisoners shortly before the handover of power from coalition forces.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age today reported that two witnesses saw Dr Allawi pull a pistol and execute suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station in the week before last month's handover.

Of course, everyone is denying it (except the reporter and teo independent witnesses). Allawi went so far as to say he doesn't even carry a gun, even though I imagine other, less trigger happy guards present did.

Now there is an investigation about to take place. Luckily, the guy seems to be unbiased and impartial:

Iraq's Human Rights Minister Bakhtiyar Amin said he will investigate claims that Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi killed six prisoners, although he does not believe they are true.

(snip)

Mr Amin described the claims as shocking and possibly defamatory.

"That Iyad Allawi himself with his own hands went and killed six people, it's a very serious allegation," he told ABC radio.

"I'll check this information but I have strong doubts about it.

"I haven't heard anything about this. This is not the Iyad Allawi that I know. He's not a killer. He's not the type of person who goes out and killing people. You don't see him carrying weapons.

"I believe it's a false allegation and it's a defamation and the one who rights these things has a major responsibility of the court systems of their own country as well."

More to come.