Stephen Edward Troell, an American national who worked as an English teacher in Baghdad, was shot dead under unclear circumstances in the Iraqi capital in November. Troell, 45, worked for an organization affiliated to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Iraqi interior ministry on Thursday announced that the judiciary had convicted four Iraqi nationals and one Iranian national in relation to Troell’s killing, noting that the suspects had confessed to the murder after they were confronted with “overwhelming evidence.”
Four other suspects in the killing are currently being pursued and investigated by Iraqi security forces, the ministry added, stressing that Baghdad will not allow any agression against foreign nationals in the country.
“It is critical that all those responsible for the brutal, premeditated assassination of Mr. Troell face justice and accountability,” read a statement from US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, welcoming the Iraqi court’s ruling.
Miller renewed condolences to Troell’s family, expressing hope that the court’s decision brings them “some measure of justice.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered a probe into the incident immediately after Troell’s killing and an investigative committee was formed in hopes of reaching the perpetrators “as soon as possible.”
During a meeting with Sudani in November, US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski expressed her appreciation for the Iraqi government’s efforts in pursuit of Troell’s killers.
Hundreds of foreign nationals were kidnapped and dozens were killed across Iraq after US forces entered Baghdad in 2003. Security risks to foreigners visiting or working Iraq have noticeably decreased in recent years, but still continue to lurk as a potential threat.
