The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council released Monday Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie who was in custody on charges of insulting the authorities after he criticized the parliament and the judiciary over the Federal Court Law.
The council issued arrest warrants last Saturday for two prominent political analysts Sumaidaie and Yahya al-Kubaisi accused of publicly "insulting" and "defaming" the authorities.
The council said Sumaidaie was released after recording his statement.
The warrant for his arrest cites Penal Code Article 226 for insulting official institutions by using “bad phrases” which “go beyond the limits of the freedom of expression”, according to the council. The defendant admitted to his mistake and apologized.
The warrant also includes a complaint from the Defense Minister under Article 433/1 of the Penal Code which deals with the charge of defamation of an individual or entity.
The third case is based on the provisions of Article 210 regarding his statement to a TV channel claiming he was offered money to ensure a person a ministerial position.
The arrest of Sumaidaie led to a backlash among Iraqi activists who criticized the Judicial Council for using legal articles dating back to the era of the Baath Party, which allow accountability for critics of the authorities.
The articles contradict the provisions of the constitution that was approved after 2003 and allowed freedom of speech and expression for Iraqi citizens.
The case against Kubaisi, who lives abroad, remains pending. It is not clear if he had appointed lawyers to defend him and drop the charges against him.
