Slain Writer Was Investigating Graft

The 49-year-old former arts writer was abducted Tuesday night from a downtown Basra street along with Nour al Khal, an Iraqi woman who was his longtime assistant and interpreter. Vincent's body was discovered before dawn, hands bound and shot five times; Khal is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds in a Basra hospital.
Dozens of foreign journalists have been abducted or killed in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to oust President Saddam Hussein. But Vincent's death has new, disturbing implications; he may not have been killed because he was an American or a journalist. He may have been targeted because he was uncovering alleged corruption and influence-peddling in the city's political, security and religious leadership.
Multiple witnesses attest that Vincent and Khal were abducted by men who appeared to be driving police vehicles.
One witness, who refused to give his name, said he recognized one of the abductors as an Interior Ministry employee.
"The man also recognized me, after I saluted him," the witness said. "He said to me: 'Do not interfere! It is our duty.' "