Riot after Iraqi job seekers are turned away
From Harris Whitbeck
CNN
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A vehicle was set on fire in protest
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Frustrated Iraqi job seekers turn violent. CNN's Harris Whitbeck reports
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Violence broke out in parts of the Iraqi capital Wednesday morning, after a group of men attempting to apply for jobs at a Baghdad police station were turned away.
Gunshots rang out, apparently fired from inside the police station as a warning for the crowd to disperse. At least two police vehicles were set on fire, and protesters threw stones at the building, witnesses told CNN's Harris Whitbeck.
So far, there have been no reports of casualties.
Several of the estimated 300 job seekers said they arrived at the police precinct to fill out job applications, but were asked for bribes and turned away.
"We want to get in there but the only way you get into this force is if you pay extra bribe, extra money," said a former officer in the Iraqi army, who said he has been without a job since March. "Normal people who do not have money could not get admitted into this fighting force ... the security force."
"I've been coming here for four months," he said. "We've had so many promises and nothing [violent] happened until now."
