Iraqi officer arrested for 2019 killing of protesters
An interior ministry officer accused of serious human rights abuses during the war against the Islamic State has been arrested after documents emerged allegedly showing his direct involvement in the 2019 killing of protesters.
BAGHDAD – Checkpoints across the country have “no one is above the law” painted in Arabic on strategically placed concrete blocks. But few believe Iraq is anywhere close to achieving this aspiration.
However, criminal proceedings against a notorious Iraqi officer previously accused of serious crimes against civilians but who has never been prosecuted are now being seen as a step toward accountability.
Lt. Col. Omar Nazar from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior’s Emergency Response Division (ERD) was arrested on Feb. 11 after documents came to light reportedly showing his direct involvement in the killing. The Nasiriyah Investigation Court on Feb. 22 charged him with “suppressing protestors” in the city in November 2019, when dozens were killed.
Overall, hundreds were killed in the months-long protests, which started in late 2019, bringing down the government formed after the 2018 elections.
