Catch and Release Program

CNN reports:

Iraqi security forces caught the most wanted man in the country last year, but released him because they didn't know who he was, the Iraqi deputy minister of interior said Thursday.

Hussain Kamal confirmed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi—the al Qaeda in Iraq leader who has a $25 million bounty on his head—was in custody at some point last year, but he wouldn't provide further details.

A U.S. official couldn't confirm the report, but said he wouldn't dismiss it.

"It is plausible," he said.

Jim Henley comments: "I had a bad feeling back in 2003 when the TV Guide listing for the Iraq War closed with the words 'Hijinx ensue'…"