A total of 250 Iraqi scientists were killed or assassinated since April 2003, local newspaper Al Mada reported Thursday.

The paper quoted statistics released by the University Professors League as saying that 250 professors of universities, institutions, and scientific establishments fell victims to killings or assassinations across the country since last April.

"This emphasizes that there are certain parties behind that and want to deny Iraq the special knowledgeable minds," said Issam al-Rawi, chairman of the league.

Rawi pointed out that the series of assassinations, kidnappings, and threats had made more than 1,000 university professors flee the country.

Al Mustansiriyah University alone recorded about 13 cases of murders, threats, and kidnappings for ransoms, the chairman added.