Iran is investigating a possible al Qaeda link to kidnappers who snatched three European tourists in southeastern Iran in December, the intelligence minister was quoted as saying on Saturday. Two Germans and an Irishman were abducted in Iran on December 2. The government announced their release on December 28 and has described the kidnappers as bandits or drug runners, saying it had no proof of links to Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network. But Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi told local journalists the kidnappers had demanded the release of some al Qaeda members arrested by Iran as well as five million euros ($6.24 million) in return for the tourists’ freedom. Full Story