UPDATED: Iraqi Sunni MP 'dies in car accident' SE of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A Sunni MP, Abdul-Azim Ajman, representing the southern province of Basrah died in a car accident in Nasriyah, Dhi Qar province, 362 km southeast of the capital Baghdad, Iraqi police stated.

Initial reports, also broadcast by the state broadcaster, stated that Ajman’s driver was killed at the scene, and that Ajman had died from injuries he sustained from an armed attack. A local official denied this was the case.

“Abdul-Azim Ajman had a fatal car accident on the Dhi Qar-Basrah motorway,” Ahmed Sleti, member of Basrah’s Provincial Council, told Rudaw. “According to Dhi Qar’s police inquiries, there are no bullet traces on his vehicle. He seems to have died from the car accident. However, the inquiries are ongoing, and we will publish the findings later.”

The state broadcaster Iraqi Media Network cited the Dhi Qar police as saying that the MP died in a car accident. The car he was in rolled over because of speed and one of its tires blew out, it detailed. 

Sleti added that there were four people traveling in the car, including Ajman. The accident has resulted in the death of two. The other two were injured and have been transferred to al-Zeqar hospital for treatment.