Latest news with #AbuKawthar
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi activist released after backlash over protest-related sentencing
Shafaq News/ An appeals court in Iraq's Babil province on Sunday ordered the release of activist Durgham Majid and several other protesters, hours after a lower court sentenced them to four months in prison over their role in anti-government demonstrations. The reversal followed the withdrawal of a legal complaint by Iraqi lawmaker Dunia al-Shammari, whose case had led to the convictions. A judicial source told Shafaq News the release order was issued by the Babil Appeals Court and applies to all 11 defendants. The initial sentencing sparked public outcry and fresh protests. Dozens of demonstrators blocked the entrance to the al-Hamza al-Gharbi courthouse earlier in the day, denouncing the ruling as a blow to civil liberties and calling for the immediate release of those detained. The case comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Iraq, where rights groups say authorities are increasingly turning to the judiciary to silence activism. In a separate ruling on Sunday, a court in the southern province of Dhi Qar sentenced prominent protest figure Ihsan Abu Kawthar to 15 years in prison for the killing of a fellow demonstrator. The Dhi Qar Criminal Court found him guilty under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which covers premeditated murder, a security source said. Abu Kawthar, a leading voice in the 2019 'Tishreen' protest movement in Nasiriyah, was arrested on March 8 following a raid on his home by local police. He was later transferred to the General Intelligence Directorate for further interrogation. Human rights monitors warn that the sentencing of both Majid and Abu Kawthar reflects a deepening judicial clampdown on Iraq's civil society, particularly in 2024 and early 2025. Amnesty International, in a recent submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, flagged Iraq's failure to implement prior human rights commitments and cited widespread arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force, and lack of accountability in detention centers. Freedom House rated Iraq as 'Not Free' in its Freedom in the World 2025 report, giving the country a score of 31 out of 100 and pointing to severe restrictions on free speech, assembly, and civil society operations. In January, the UN Human Rights Council's review of Iraq's record acknowledged limited progress but underscored ongoing threats to freedom of expression and the safety of civil society actors. Rights advocates say the recent legal measures targeting protesters reflect a coordinated effort by Iraqi authorities to suppress dissent ahead of upcoming provincial elections and amid ongoing political turbulence.
Shafaq News
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Security Forces storm house of prominent Iraqi activist
Shafaq News/ Security forces raided the home of prominent Iraqi activist Ihsan al-Hilali, known as Ihsan Abu Kothar, in the early hours of Friday. A security source told Shafaq News that the operation, which took place in the southern province of Dhi Qar, was carried out in a 'violent manner', with the forces using smoke grenades inside the house and firing shots into the air. The raid resulted in the arrest of Abu Kawthar's father under unclear circumstances. The source added that the activist has been detained for some time. Abu Kawthar, one of the leading figures of the 2019 protests in Al-Nasiriyah, had previously been arrested on March 8 2025 after being accused by a local resident. The arrest warrant, issued by authorities, followed complaints against him, and he had been wanted on multiple arrest warrants, exceeding five in total. In response to the incident, Dhi Qar Parliament member Dawood al-Aidan voiced concerns about the actions of security forces. He held the Prime Minister of Iraq responsible for the events in the province, stating, "The families of Al-Nasiriyah have been terrorized by gunfire and smoke grenades during the raid on the home of activist Abu Kawthar, even though he has been detained for weeks." Meanwhile, another member of the Iraqi Parliament, Ghazwan al-Ghazzi, criticized the actions of the Dhi Qar police chief. In a statement, he emphasized the necessity of maintaining security in the region while questioning the rationale behind the repeated raids. "We do not know where these actions are leading," he said. "The police chief continues to send forces to storm Abu Kawthar's house daily, which causes fear and panic among the local residents." Al-Ghazzi also suggested that the police chief's actions could be aimed at escalating the security situation in the province, a sentiment echoed by several local officials. He called on the Prime Minister, the head of the Iraqi Judiciary, and other key government figures to intervene and end the individual actions that could further destabilize the region.
