Iraqi journalists fear their freedoms are being restricted after an arrest warrant was issued for Sarmad al-Tai, a journalist at the Al-Mada newspaper, in January 2014. News outlets reported another 51 warrants issued for the arrest of journalists and civil activists, against whom Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had personally instigated legal action under Article 229 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

A copy of the arrest warrant for Tai circulated in the media soon after it was issued. Although many questioned the news, Tai confirmed on his Facebook page Feb. 2 that indeed a warrant was issued for his arrest by a Baghdad court. According to Tai, the warrant is a message from Maliki, sent to “spread fear among activists and journalists.”

Mazen al-Zaidi, a journalist with Al-Mada, told Al-Monitor, “If the arrest warrants are indeed part of an approach aimed at intimidating the press and the elite, then this means censorship will certainly come back, although many thought it ceased to exist after the downfall of the dictatorial regime.” He added, “It is only natural to resort to the judiciary to settle disputes and litigations, despite the political influences exerted on the judiciary.”

Zaidi stressed, “I am with the judiciary, but against its use to eliminate adversaries and implement a silencing policy.” Zaidi excluded the possibility of the return of the censorship imposed by the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, because this time, the regime will find itself unable to muzzle anyone. He noted that Iraqis, including journalists and elites, defeated the state of cruelty and silence, and no one can force them back into compliance.