In recent years,[when?] there has been considerable controversy over their support and international ties. Jundallah is believed by many experts to be linked to Al-Qaeda.[5] There are also claims that Jundallah has had contact with the U.S. government and receives funding from Baluchi Iranians abroad.[6]
Dan Rather's U.S. cable channel HDnet's television news magazine Dan Rather Reports, interviewed Rigi and showed a video of Rigi personally cutting off his brother in-law Shahab Mansouri's head. In the same interview, Rigi described himself as "an Iranian" and denied that his goal is to form a separate Baluch state. He claimed that his goal is to "improve conditions for ethnic Baluchis", and that his group is "fighting exclusively for the rights of Sunni Muslims in Iran".[7][8]
On 2 April 2007, Abdolmalek Rigi appeared on the Persian service of Voice of America, the official broadcasting service of the United States government, which identified Rigi as "the leader of popular Iranian resistance movement" and used the title of "Doctor" with his name. This incident resulted in public condemnation by the Iranian-American community in the U.S., many of whom are opponents of the Iranian government.[9][10]
According to a former hostage[who?], Rigi never slept in one place for two consecutive nights and did not shake hands with other people without wearing gloves. He is also reported to emulate Al-Zarqawi in his conduct and videos of hostage executions.[3] It has also been reported that he killed his brother's wife, shooting her to death while she was asleep.[11][12][13]
The Iranian newspaper Kayhan incorrectly reported on 7 April 2005, "Abdolmalek Rigi, leader of the terrorist group, the Jundullah... was killed in an operation on the border with Afghanistan."[14] A video surfaced on 11 April 2005, showing Rigi alive.[15] Rigi's brother Abdulhamid Rigi accused his brother of working with Americans against Iran.[16] Iranian authorities claimed that Rigi had murdered an Iranian general and carried out terrorist attacks in Iran.[17] These allegations led to his arrest in February 2010.[17]
From Wikipedia
