Iraq’s interior minister orders investigation into Basra journalist killings

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s interior minister has ordered an investigation into the killing of two Iraqi journalists covering anti-government protests on Friday, while an Iraqi media watchdog has said 2019 saw “unprecedented” media repression due to protest coverage.

Minister of Interior al-Yasseri “directed the dispatch of a high-level team headed by the Ministry’s undersecretary for police affairs and a number of officers” to investigate the killing of journalists Ahmed Abdul Samad and his cameraman Safaa al-Ghali, a Sunday ministry statement read.

The Minister “ordered that the team not return until the completion of investigations and the uncovering of the perpetrators.”

On Friday, Dijlah TV journalists Samad and al-Ghali were shot by unknown gunmen in their car in the southern city of Basra, while they covered Iraq’s now four month long protests. Samad was a critical voice of Iraq’s government and destructive Iranian influence in the country.

Iraqi protesters have been on the streets since October 1, 2019, to demand an overhaul of Iraq’s system and a change of the post-Iraq war political class. They have been met with deadly violence, including the fire of live rounds and military-grade tear gas.

As of December, more than 511 protesters and security forces members have been killed, and about 17,000 wounded. According to an IHCHR report sent to Rudaw English via WhatsApp in December 2019, a total of 68 protesters and activists have been kidnapped by unknown armed groups due to their involvement in the movement.

Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is largely considered responsible for the killing of protesters and voices of dissent.

Journalists have been among the most targeted by the deadly repression.

The National Association of Journalists in Iraq released its report for 2019 on Sunday – titling it “A Disastrous Year for Press in Iraq.” The killing of three journalists was among the violence enacted on members of the Iraqi press last year, according to the report.

The year “2019 witnessed huge violations against Iraqi journalists and media organizations,” the Association said.

“However, what distinguishes 2019 with regard to journalistic work in Iraq is the unprecedented repression of journalists and media institutions as a result of their coverage of the popular protests that started in the beginning of October of the same year,” according to the press watchdog report.

“The violations varied between assault and detention during field coverage, prevention and harassment, leading to intimidation and threats of physical liquidation and prosecution,” it added.

Through a volunteer-run monitoring team of journalists, the Association found 188 of these violations had taken place in 2019. They were conducted by official security services, and by political parties and armed groups – both of which went unnamed by report.

Iraq’s interior minister orders investigation into Basra journalist killings

Kirkuk's over 250 stalled projects spark call for national protests

Wheat harvest to approach 5 million tons as yield tops 4 million: Iraqi trade

Nearly 132K medical services provided during Ashura: Ministry

Related Articles

Kirkuk's over 250 stalled projects spark call for national protests

Wheat harvest to approach 5 million tons as yield tops 4 million: Iraqi trade

Nearly 132K medical services provided during Ashura: Ministry