AL-Qaida in Iraq denies government allegations of World Cup plot

Al-Qaida in Iraq denies World Cup plot allegations

BAGHDAD — Al-Qaida in Iraq has denied government allegations that suspected militants in Iraqi custody were planning to attack the World Cup in South Africa.

A statement purportedly from the group was posted on the Internet on Monday, describing the government’s allegations as “cheap lies.”

The Iraqi government announced last week it had arrested a Saudi citizen accused of planning an attack against the World Cup.

The alleged militant, Abdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani, said in an interview with The Associated Press that he and a friend talked about attacking Danish and Dutch teams at the World Cup next month to avenge insults against the Prophet Muhammad.

Al-Qahtani said he came to Iraq in 2004 to fight Americans and was recruited by al-Qaida.