2 Majors, Lieutenant Accused of Killing Protesters in Baghdad

Two Iraqis are pictured on July 27, 2020, at the spot where a protest tent was burned the previous night in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP
Two Iraqis are pictured on July 27, 2020, at the spot where a protest tent was burned the previous night in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP
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2 Majors, Lieutenant Accused of Killing Protesters in Baghdad

Two Iraqis are pictured on July 27, 2020, at the spot where a protest tent was burned the previous night in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP
Two Iraqis are pictured on July 27, 2020, at the spot where a protest tent was burned the previous night in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP

The Iraqi Judiciary arrested on Thursday three security officers, including two majors and a lieutenant, on charges of killing protesters in central Baghdad early this week, using hunting rifles.

Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Al-Ghanemi revealed the news in a press conference held in the capital. He gave the names of the policemen and displayed the arms and ammunition they had used.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had ordered the country’s security forces to investigate the deaths of several anti-government protesters in central Baghdad on Monday.

“The two martyrs fell as a result of the use of personal hunting rifles by two officers of the rank of a major, a lieutenant, and an associate, and that Major Ahmed Salam Khadir admitted using his personal weapon," Ghanemi said in a press conference.

He added that during questioning with Lieutenant Hussein Jabbar, he admitted to using a hunting rifle to confront the demonstrators. The third is Alaa Fadel.

According to the Minister, the judge decided to arrest the accused officers in line with Article 406/1 of the Penal Code, and investigations are ongoing to refer them to the competent court.

Ghanemi said an investigation had been opened because the federal police had deployed "to fire live rounds in the air", contravening orders not to use live fire by the PM, who heads the armed forces.

He called on the demonstrators to commit to peace, and security services to protect the demonstrators.

In a tweet, Kadhimi confirmed that he will proceed with opening a probe with all those involved in the bloodshed of demonstrators.

"We promised our people to reveal the facts about the incidents of Tahrir Square within 72 hours, and we did,” he said.



Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
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Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday told US national security adviser Mike Waltz that it is necessary to end the Israeli occupation in the remaining points and complete the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Israeli troops withdrew on Tuesday from most of south Lebanon but Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would temporarily remain in five points needed for its security, Reuters reported.

The Lebanese presidency said that Lebanon would consider any remaining Israeli presence on Lebanese land an occupation.

Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.