ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi security forces arrested journalist and lawyer Ibrahim al-Sumaida'i late on Friday, acting on an arrest warrant on the charge of "publicly insulting public authorities" issued by the Al-Karkh Investigation Court in Baghdad.
The warrant was issued following “his attack on official institutions, describing them with bad words (which are not appropriate to mention) that go beyond the limits of the freedom of expression," according to a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council on Saturday.
The statement also accused Sumaida'i of being paid for his attacks on public institutions.
The law Sumaida'i is charged under, Article 226 of the Iraqi Penal Code, states that "Any person who publicly insults the National Assembly, government, courts, armed forces, public authorities, official or semi-official departments, or statutory bodies shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years or a fine or both."
Sumaida'i is a political analyst known for his outspoken views and opposition to the government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
His arrest was criticized by the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, which expressed "grave concern" that the warrant was issued without regard for humanitarian and legal guarantees. It is a "flagrant violation of human rights," the commission stated, calling for Sumaida'i’s immediate release.
An arrest warrant was also issued for political analyst Yahya al-Kubaisi on the same charges. Kubaisi lives outside of Iraq. He is a specialist in Iraqi political affairs and a consultant at the Arab Center for Strategic Studies, an independent research institution in Doha, Qatar. He is known for his criticism of successive governments in Iraq.
Kubaisi reacted to Sumaida'i’s arrest, saying it harms freedom of expression in Iraq. “It is clear that the political class cannot tolerate those who expose and reveal the truth to the public," he tweeted.
Sumaida'i's arrest sparked controversy in Iraqi political circles. Member of parliament Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani called it a "very dangerous matter."
"Those arrest warrants are accompanied by an arbitrary arrest method, as if intended to inform everyone that giving a contrary opinion has a price. This is taking place at a time when murderers, criminals, and corrupt persons enjoy their full freedoms," Sudani tweeted.
In his latest tweet on Friday, Sumaida'i commented on the anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. In 2003, "the United States and its allies launched the war on Iraq to disarm weapons of mass destruction, bring down the dictatorial regime that threatens world peace, and build democracy. The result is no weapons of mass destruction or democracy. Nor has Iraq become safer and more secure for the world," he tweeted.
