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Head of Iraqi Judiciary Defends Performance amid Criticism in Tackling Killing of Protesters

Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, Faiq Zaidan. (INA)
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, Faiq Zaidan. (INA)
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Head of Iraqi Judiciary Defends Performance amid Criticism in Tackling Killing of Protesters

Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, Faiq Zaidan. (INA)
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, Faiq Zaidan. (INA)

Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, Faiq Zaidan defended on Thursday the judiciary against massive criticism from the people and local and international rights groups over his handling of and verdicts in several cases, especially those related to the killing and assassination of protesters and activists.

In an interview with the official state news agency (INA), he said the judiciary has issued warrants against the murderers of prominent researcher Hisham al-Hashemi as Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of his murder.

Zaidan did not elaborate over the case that has preoccupied the Iraqi public for a year.

Commenting on the progress in cases of the murder of anti-government protesters, he stated that some death penalties have been issued against officers in Babel and Wasit.

He added, however, that these cases are “complicated” as many sides are involved in them, including political parties eyeing electoral goals.

Months ago, government authorities had announced an official tally of 550 protester deaths in anti-government demonstrations. Thousands of others in Baghdad and central and southern provinces have also suffered critical injuries.

The government had formed teams to probe the violence but they have yet to announce any findings and rulings.

Asked about the release of prominent Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) official, Qassem Muslih, weeks ago after his arrest on suspicion of involvement in the killing of protesters, Zaidan replied that the judiciary had not succumbed to any pressure to let him go.

Rather, he explained there was insufficient evidence to implicate him in the murder of protesters, including prominent activist Ihab al-Wazni.

Moreover, he revealed that Muslih was not even in Iraq when Wazni was killed and that was why he was released.

The activist was killed in Karbala in May and his family openly accused Muslih of being involved.

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Druze Group ‘Rijal al-Karama’ Rejects Disarmament, Calls for Weapons Regulation in Sweida

Mourners attend funeral of those killed in clashes in southern Sweida town on Saturday (AFP)
Mourners attend funeral of those killed in clashes in southern Sweida town on Saturday (AFP)
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Druze Group ‘Rijal al-Karama’ Rejects Disarmament, Calls for Weapons Regulation in Sweida

Mourners attend funeral of those killed in clashes in southern Sweida town on Saturday (AFP)
Mourners attend funeral of those killed in clashes in southern Sweida town on Saturday (AFP)

A leading Druze movement said on Sunday that the issue of surrendering arms remains unresolved, even as local leaders in southern Syria announced the official start of implementing a peace agreement brokered by Druze clerics and dignitaries in Sweida province.

Bassem Abu Fakhr, spokesman for the “Rijal al-Karama” movement, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group's weapons were solely for defense and had never been used offensively.

“The matter of handing over weapons falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense, and no final decision has been made yet,” Abu Fakhr said. “Our arms have never posed a threat to any party. We have not attacked anyone, and our weapons exist to protect our land and honor.”

He added that while the group does not object to regulating the presence of weapons, full surrender was out of the question.

“We have no issue with organizing arms under state authority, provided they remain within the province’s administrative boundaries and under state supervision,” he said. “But the matter of weapons remains unresolved.”

Formed in 2013, Rijal al-Karama was established to protect the Druze community and prevent its youth from being conscripted into fighting for any side in Syria’s protracted conflict, which erupted after mass protests against then President Bashar al-Assad.

The group continues to operate as an independent local defense force, separate from state security institutions.

Abu Fakhr told Asharq Al-Awsat that a high-level meeting held last Thursday in Sweida—attended by senior Druze spiritual leaders Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and Sheikh Hammoud al-Hanawi, along with local dignitaries and community members—resulted in an agreement to reactivate the police and judicial police under the Ministry of Interior.

Abu Fakhr also denied recent reports claiming that Druze clerics, tribal leaders, and faction commanders had agreed to fully surrender their weapons to the state.

“This issue has not been resolved by all parties in Sweida,” he said, reiterating the group’s position: “We have no objection to organizing the weapons under state oversight, as long as they remain within the administrative boundaries of the province, but not to surrendering them.”

The statement underscores continuing tensions over the role of armed groups in Sweida, a province that has largely remained outside the control of both government and opposition forces throughout Syria’s civil war.