him to the vice president's house," Roth said, using the abbreviation for private security details. "They said he tried to assassinate the vice president and refused to hand him over" to proper authorities.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry intervened and ultimately persuaded Mahdi's men to let the soldier go, 48 hours later. But Roth said the Oct. 16 incident highlighted the "huge problem" that Iraqi security details have become, even as U.S. forces attempt to turn over more security responsibilities to the Iraqis.

"I can't count the number of times on these two hands that a PSD of a minister or a delegate has tried to use his badge" to get into the heavily fortified Green Zone, without the official present, "because they didn't want to go through the normal linethey are scary."

Government leaders in Iraq say they use their own security details because they do not trust the official forces. Iraq's other vice president, Ghazi Yawar, whose security detail was not involved in the incident in Karrada, did not defend the actions of Mahdi's guards. But he said the threats against Iraqi government leaders made it reasonable for them to have special protection, just as other world leaders do.

Ayad Hashem, 40, a physician, said he was sympathetic to the government officials. "Yes, it is detestable to see those guys running around with guns, driving fast and at times shooting," he said. "But let's not forget we are still under occupation, really. I believe this stems from trying to imitate the Americans' behavior on the street. . .