Iraq: rally in Baghdad to denounce wave of assassinations of political activists
Audio 01:25
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Baghdad and cities in southern Iraq to denounce a wave of assassinations of political activists in the country.
In two years, 35 activists have been killed, among 82 attempts in total, according to the Human Rights Commission in Iraq, without anyone being found.
AFP - AHMAD AL-RUBAYE
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Baghdad and cities in southern Iraq to denounce a wave of assassinations of political activists in the country.
In two years, 35 activists have been killed, among 82 attempts in total, according to the Human Rights Commission in Iraq, without anyone being found.
Protesters wanted to seek justice on Tuesday, but were quickly caught in a cycle of violence with law enforcement.
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With our correspondent in Baghdad
,
Lucile Wassermann
At the end of the afternoon, the atmosphere is still calm in Tahrir Square.
The demonstrators gather, with in their hands, photos of the last murdered militants.
Hassan, like many others, is angry: “
They are killing us and we cannot say anything, just like in Saddam Hussein's time!
They steal our money and they kill the Iraqis.
"
"
They
" are the armed groups close to Iran, according to these protesters.
But it is also the government, incapable according to them of finding those responsible for these political assassinations, which are increasing in Iraq.
Claims stifled by escalating violence
The demonstrators want to seek justice on Tuesday, but very quickly, violence explodes.
Dozens of security forces arrive as reinforcements, and charge.
Qasem, a protester, witnesses the scene: “
What just happened is that the demonstrators approached the bridge over there.
There were clashes, I saw the police beat the demonstrators.
"
The escalation does not stop there, the demonstrators send stones and Molotov cocktails.
They grab a policeman and hit him on the ground.
The police use stun grenades to repel them, then even live ammunition.
The demands of the demonstrators will not have been heard on Tuesday, stifled in a cycle of violence.
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To read: Iraq: pro-Iran militias accused after the assassination of an activist and the attack on a journalist
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