Jordan Times
Sunday, January 25, 1998
Slain Iraqi businessman was on verge of bankruptcy -
lawyer
By Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN - An Iraqi businessman who was stabbed to death in Amman
along with five other Iraqis was on the verge of bankruptcy only
a few days before his murder, according to his attorney.
"I noticed that he had financial problems and lacked liquid
cash to pay his debts," said Ali Nabhan, the lawyer of Sami
George.
"Before his death, Mr. George told me that he wants to sell
one of his flats in Jordan at a price of JD50,000 to enable him
to pay some of his debts," Mr. Nabhan added.
Iraqi charge d'affaires in Amman, Hikmat Hajo, and his wife Laila
were among those butchered in the attack carried out by four to
five masked men.
George's friend, Namir Ochi, was among those killed in the
attack. A Greek woman was the only survivor.
Mr. Nabhan said that his client had problems with some of his
partners a few years ago, however, the problems "were
settled at the time." He did not elaborate.
"His house was open for Iraqis from all walks of life who
used to visit him without any restrictions," said Mr.
Nabhan.
He emphasised that among those who used to visit him were senior
Iraqi government officials, members of the Iraqi opposition and
ordinary Iraqi citizens.
Mr. Nabhan said that his client was engaged in brokering oil
deals betwen European clients and Middle Eastern countries in
return for commissions.
"Mr. George did not look like other businessmen," Mr.
Nabhan told the Jordan Times.
"He did not have a well- established firm. The only thing he
had in Jordan was a room at his villa from which he used to run
his business without any staff to help him in his work," Mr.
Nabhan said.
Mr. Nabhan said that there was no clear evidence that George was
dealing "directly" with the Iraqi government, he
believes his client was dealing with Baghdad.
"He never mentioned the name of the states that he used to
deal with but I believe that Iraq was one of them," Mr.
Nabhan said.
"Mr. George had no enemies. He was loved by all people
around," added Mr. Nabhan.
"I do not remember that he ever mentioned that he had
enemies," said Mr. Nabhan. "He was nice with everybody
he knew and was loved by all people who used to deal with
him."
The body of George was laid to rest Saturday at Om Al Heiran
cemetery. A few of his relatives attended the funeral, but no
representative from the Iraqi embassy was there.
Meanwhile, informed sources said that fingerprint experts have
lifted 10 fingerprints from the residence of the slain Iraqi
businessman and are now working on identification of the prints.
The sources said that the security forces have already collected
1,200 fingerprints of Iraqis living in Jordan as part of their
hunt for the attackers.