Shiite cabbie plays middleman for Sunnis

Published: Aug. 7, 2008 at 2:09 PM BAGHDAD, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A Baghdad cab driver makes money by picking up passports, pension checks and identity cards for Sunnis afraid of being kidnapped at Shiite-run Iraqi offices. Mouayed Lakab al-Kinani, 34, a Shiite, charges $100 to $500 fees, depending on the number of visits he makes, the Chicago Tribune reported. "Sometimes it takes only two, three visits, sometimes it takes tens," he told the newspaper. "But there are people who are prepared to pay $100 for me to go, even if it might take only a few hours, because they are very afraid to go there themselves." Beyond his fees are bribes that all applicants, Sunnis and Shiites, must pay for their documents on top of any official fees, the Tribune said. The bribe for a passport has fallen by half recently to about $300, now that Iraqis... [read full story]