Iraq: anti-government activist assassinated in Kerbala
The assassination of Ihab Al Wazni sparked protests early in the morning of May 9 in the streets of Kerbala.
AFP - MOHAMMED SAWAF
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In Iraq, a prominent activist was assassinated last night.
Ihab Al Wazni was known for his leading role in the protests that erupted in 2019 against power.
His death comes on top of that of many other activists, also targeted for their role in the protest.
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With our correspondent in Iraq,
Lucile Wassermann
His assassination took place shortly after midnight on Sunday, May 8.
On surveillance video, two men can be seen waiting in an alleyway.
When Ihab Al Wazni arrives by car, one of them opens fire, before jumping on a motorcycle and leaving with his accomplice.
The activist will not survive the attack.
One of the great figures of Kerbala
He was one of the major militant figures in his town, Kerbala, in southern Iraq, and had played a leading role in the
2019 anti-power protests
. His death immediately sparked anger in the region. Demonstrations broke out in Kerbala, but also in Nassiriya and Diwaniya, other towns in the south. This murder comes in the wake of other assassinations of activists, which the demonstrators attribute to the pro-Iran militias, criticized by these militants.
But in addition to these armed groups, their discontent is now turning against the government, unable according to them to protect them, and to find those responsible.
This questions "
the real measures taken by this government
" to bring these criminals to justice, says Dr. Ali al Bayati, member of the Commission on Human Rights in Iraq.
Promises without results
The government, led by Mustafa al Kadhimi has promised to shed light on these assassination campaigns, as well as the deaths of more than 500 demonstrators in 2019. Without concrete results for the moment.
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Iraq
Criminality