Karl Rove, contributor for Fox News takes part in a panel discussion at the Fox TV network summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California July 14,2008. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Four peace activists were arrested on Friday as they attempted to make a “citizens arrest” of Karl Rove, who was one of President George W. Bush’s top aides before leaving the administration last year.

“It should be Karl Rove in that van. War Criminal!” one of a dozen protesters shouted as the four were put into a police van outside a Des Moines country club where Rove spoke at a private state Republican party fundraiser.

Chet Guinn, a retired Methodist Minister, was among those led away.

“To be silent when major crimes are being committed against all humanity makes us accomplices,” Guinn told reporters just before his prearranged arrest, which took place when protesters stepped past a gate.