Iraq Sentences Belgian Man to Death For ISIS Membership

Families of ISIS militants walk as they surrendered in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Families of ISIS militants walk as they surrendered in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said
TT
20

Iraq Sentences Belgian Man to Death For ISIS Membership

Families of ISIS militants walk as they surrendered in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said
Families of ISIS militants walk as they surrendered in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said

Iraq sentenced a Belgian man to death by hanging on Monday for being part of the ISIS militant group, one of dozens of foreign nationals facing the death penalty in Iraq.

Bilal al-Marchohi, 23, was given the death penalty for belonging to and conducting operations on behalf of the group.

During an hour of proceedings at Iraq’s Central Criminal Court, the judge read out portions of Marchohi’s signed confession and showed a video and photographs that he said proved his membership in the group.

The images from a phone found in his possession at the time of arrest showed Marchohi carrying a gun and making a hand gesture affiliated with the militants. Several pictures showed him cradling his infant son.

Marchohi repeatedly denied all allegations against him in open court, including that he was a member of ISIS in Iraq at any time.

“I shouldn’t be prosecuted in Iraq,” Marchohi said. “I should be prosecuted in Belgium, I am a Belgian citizen.”

During the proceedings, judge Jumaa Saidi told the court that the photographs were clear evidence that Marchohi was a member of ISIS.

A translator was appointed by the judge for Marchohi, who spoke in English throughout the trial. He was also given a court-appointed lawyer with whom he had no contact at all throughout the trial.

Belgian consular representatives attended the proceedings on Monday. The Belgian foreign ministry in Brussels said it was not immediately able to comment.

Marchohi is the second of two Belgians held in Iraq known to have been sentenced to death for a role in ISIS. Tarek Jadaoun, 30, also known as Abu Hamza al-Beljiki, was sentenced to death in May 2018. A senior member of ISIS, Jadaoun featured prominently in the group’s propaganda videos which threatened attacks on European soil.

ISIS captured a third of Iraq in 2014 but was largely defeated both there and in neighboring Syria last year. A battle is ongoing to dislodge the militants from their final populated enclave in Syria near the Iraqi border.

Iraq is conducting the trials of hundreds of suspected members of ISIS, many of whom were arrested as the group’s strongholds crumbled throughout Iraq.

Human rights groups have accused Iraqi and other regional forces of inconsistencies in the judicial process and flawed trials leading to unfair convictions.



19 Injured after Fireworks Show Goes Awry at Western Germany Fair

18 July 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: A firework exploded at a low height above spectators during the final fireworks display of the Rhine funfair. Photo: David Young/dpa
18 July 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: A firework exploded at a low height above spectators during the final fireworks display of the Rhine funfair. Photo: David Young/dpa
TT
20

19 Injured after Fireworks Show Goes Awry at Western Germany Fair

18 July 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: A firework exploded at a low height above spectators during the final fireworks display of the Rhine funfair. Photo: David Young/dpa
18 July 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: A firework exploded at a low height above spectators during the final fireworks display of the Rhine funfair. Photo: David Young/dpa

German authorities say at least 19 people were injured, four seriously after a fireworks show went awry at a fair in the western city of Düsseldorf.

Fire squad and emergency services deployed after the incident late Friday at the Rheinkirmes event along the Rhine river, where images from the scene showed fireworks going off nearly at ground level along its banks.

A child was among the injured, the DPA news agency reported.

Düsseldorf fire services said police were investigating the cause of the accident.

“Our thoughts are with those affected and their families. We wish all those affected a speedy recovery from the consequences of the accident. We deeply regret the accident," said Peter Dietlmaier, a spokesman

Organizers ended the fair early for the day, and were deciding whether to continue the traditional fireworks at next year's event, he said.

The 10-day fair features amusement park rides, drone and fireworks shows, and other entertainment by hundreds of staff along the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the city’s historic district. The fair is organized by the St. Sebastianus Rifle Club, which traces its history to the year 1316.