Deputy justice minister kidnapped in Baghdad

Iraq’s acting deputy justice minister was kidnapped by gunmen in northwestern Baghdad on Tuesday, officials said.

Abdulkarim Fares was picked up after black-clad gunmen in several vehicles intercepted his car in the Binook area of Baghdad.

His driver was reportedly wounded when he tried to intervene, according to a Baghdad police colonel.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, though both the Islamic State (IS) and Shia militias have been responsible for similar actions in past.

Though incidents of violence in Baghdad have decreased since its height in 2006-7, the city is still frequently plagued by car bomb attacks and kidnappings.

Last week, gunmen captured 18 Turkish construction workers from a sports stadium that they were building in northeast Baghdad.

Government officials have frequently been targets of militants.

On Monday, Iraq's Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi narrowly avoided assassination when he was targeted by sniper fire while touring the oil refinery town of Baiji, according to a statement from his ministry.

One guard was reportedly wounded in the attack.