Iraq Video Dealer's Death Raises Flags
By SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI, Associated Press Writer
BASRA, Iraq - Hoda Abdulkarim Abbas dressed modestly and wore a headscarf. But when she was gunned down in front of her video shop, neighbors suspected religious vigilantes.
Other shopkeepers said she rented "romantic videos" deemed pornographic in this conservative, predominantly Shiite city. Afraid to help, they watched as she lay on her stomach, blood pooling on the sidewalk.
"They killed me, they killed me," she cried, according to a souvenir shop owner, who eventually took her to the hospital after the Feb. 25 attack.
"Maybe religious parties" were behind it, the shop owner said, refusing to give his name. He saw two men run toward a white car after the shooting, adding that it was dark and he couldn't see too clearly.
(more)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040301/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_death_of_a_saleswoman