Grand Old Police Blotter: Don't Mess With Northwestern Edition

Who said there's no good news coming out of Iraq? It sounds like the new government's criminal justice system is working just fine.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq has issued arrest warrants for Ahmad Chalabi, a former Governing Council member with strong U.S. ties, on counterfeiting charges, and for his nephew Salem Chalabi -- head of the tribunal trying Saddam Hussein -- on murder charges, Iraq's chief investigating judge said Sunday.

The warrant was the latest strike against Ahmad Chalabi in his removal from the centers of power. A longtime Iraqi exile opposition leader, he had been a favorite of many in the Pentagon but fell out with the Americans in the weeks before the U.S. occupation ended in June.

Both men denied the charges, dismissing them as part of a political conspiracy against them and their family.

As for Ahmad, the authorities' first clue was Judith Miller's face on the 200 dinar note.

As for Salem, I hope this doesn't delay Saddam's trial.