Tens of detained protesters released after bloody crackdowns in Nasiriyah

ERBIL, Kurdistan — As clashes continued on Sunday night in Iraq’s southern city of Nasiriyah, tens of protesters arrested by security forces late last week were released, activists and a representative from the country’s top human rights body told Rudaw English.

"All those arrested have been released, including Ihsan al-Hilali," local activist Mohamed Yassir told Rudaw English Monday morning, referring to a prominent activist whose detention following being run over by a police car surged renewed anger into the protests over the weekend. Hilali confirmed his release in a video published on social media late Sunday.  

A large-scale arrest campaign against protesters took place in Nasiriyah during the past few days, according to the several people involved in the demonstrations and the government-funded, but operationally independent, Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR).

The thirty people IHCHR has documented being arrested over the weekend, including a journalist, have all been released, commission member Ali al-Bayati told Rudaw English at Sunday lunchtime, denying rumours of a new wave of arrests. Activists claim the number of those arrested and released is far higher than 30.

"All the charges on which the activists were arrested were malicious, including terrorism-related charges," Yassir added.  He claims the "detainees were tortured and forced to pledge not to demonstrate again, which violates the constitution that guarantees the freedom of expression."

Hussain al-Ghareeb, another activist in Nasiriyah, told Rudaw English that "al-Hilali was arrested on the charges of premeditated murder of a Sadrist militia's member who attacked Habboubi Square last November," describing the charge as malicious.

Rudaw English contacted numerous security officials in Nasiriyah for comment, but could not get a hold of them.

IHCHR has documented the deaths of two protesters and the wounding of 111 demonstrators and security forces, according to statements published by the body on Sunday. 

Nasiriyah has witnessed significant bloodshed since demonstrations began – particularly in Habboubi Square, a hotspot for anti-government demonstrations in the city.

Protesters in the square were attacked by Sadr supporters in late November, leaving at least seven people dead and scores wounded. Protesters returned to resume demonstrations and rebuild their tents a week later. 

"There is a truce in Nasiriyah right now, but it is conditional on stopping the random arrests of activists and holding the killers of the demonstrators accountable," Yassiri added. 

IHCHR commission member Ali al-Bayati told Rudaw English on Sunday that the body has "documented cases of assassinations, kidnappings, and clashes between demonstrators and security forces” over the weekend.

"Security forces used tear gas, live ammunition and rubber bullets against protesters," he added.

One member of the security forces was killed and 33 were injured, Iraq's Security Media Cell confirmed on Sunday evening. 

Mohammed Salih al-Iraqi, a Twitter persona close to Sadr and suspected by some to be Sadr himself, took shots at the protest movement on Sunday for demanding the release of protesters.

"The Sadrists have never pushed the government to release their detained brothers, because they believe in law, unlike the "mob" Nasiriyah protesters who provoked riots after arresting one of them," he tweeted. 

On Monday night, Britain's Ambassador to Iraq expressed "concern over the escalation of violence in Nasiriyah".

"The UK calls for dialogue, restraint and accountability for the killing of civilians and members of the security forces," ambassador Stephen Hickey said. 

Photos by Asaad Niazi / AFP

Updated at 10:04 pm

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