Danes investigate Iraqi commander

By Mads Scheibel, CNN.dk

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A former Iraqi commander-in-chief is to be investigated by Danish authorities for crimes against humanity.

The claims date back to the 1980s in the Kurdish part of Iraq, including the deaths of 5,000 Kurds in 1988.

The former general, who has not been named by officials, has been living in Denmark as an asylum seeker for two years and is being guarded at his home.

The investigation began on Thursday. It is not known how long it will take.

In July, the commander was denied asylum in Denmark but he could not be expelled because his life was judged to be at risk if he returned to Iraq.

Danish refugee authorities denied him asylum saying that as an Iraqi commander-in-chief had committed crimes against humanity.

He had been recognised by a Kurdish refugee at a Danish language school for refugees.

Now Denmark's government has promised to reform the laws in order to bring alleged war criminals to justice.

Justice minister Frank Jensen, from the Social Democratic Party, has proposed new procedures to stop alleged war criminals hiding in Denmark. He has also said the police may be given more resources if needed.

The Association of Kurdish organisations in Denmark, Fey-Kurd, said it could be hard to find witnesses in Denmark because of fears of reprisal.