Iraqi govt denies woman's claim of police rape

BAGHDAD, Feb 20 (Reuters) The office of Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today denied claims by a Sunni woman that she was raped by police, saying ''known parties'' were trying to discredit a security crackdown in Baghdad.

Sunni officials have condemned the alleged incident, which could inflame sectarian tensions in Iraq. One leading Sunni figure accused Maliki's office of conducting what he called a hasty investigation.

In a statement, Maliki's office said a probe of the incident showed there was no evidence of rape by officers from the Shi'ite-dominated police force. The prime minister had commended those officers accused, it added.

''It was shown after various medical tests that (she) was not the victim of any sexual assault whatsoever,'' the statement said.

The 20-year-old woman told reporters that several police commandos had raided her house in Baghdad, saying they were looking for weapons. She said they took her away and later raped her. It was unclear where or when the alleged rape occurred.

The statement from Maliki's office did not say who the ''known parties'' were.

But some Sunni leaders have criticised the US-backed crackdown in Baghdad, saying security forces were focusing on Sunni militants instead of Shi'ite militias.

Operation Imposing Law formally began last Wednesday. It is seen as a last-ditch attempt to halt Iraq's slide into all-out civil war.

REUTERS AB RN2249