Iraqi residents of Basra Governorate, in the south of the country, buried the body of the activist and leader in the popular demonstrations, Osama Tahsin Al-Khafaji, who was assassinated by an unknown armed group, in the center of Basra yesterday. And the High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq warned of the return of assassinations of civilian activists.

The mourners chanted slogans and slogans, calling on the government and security agencies to reveal the killers of Al-Khafaji and the rest of the activists calling for reforms and fighting corruption.

They also chanted slogans confirming their continuing demonstrations to demand legitimate rights, represented in comprehensive political and economic reforms, improving the living conditions of citizens, and holding early elections.

Anadolu Agency quoted a captain in the Basra Provincial Police Department that unknown gunmen (the number of which is unknown) stormed an Internet service center belonging to the activist Tahseen al-Khafaji.

The same source added that the gunmen shot the activist, killing him instantly, while another person was wounded, who happened to be at the center at the time of the attack.

Tahseen Osama Al-Khafaji has been active in protests since 2011 in Basra Governorate ...
assassination with more than 20 bullets at the headquarters of his company, Al-Shams Telecom. Pic.twitter.com/9KMD0WzSfL

- Gada hashim (@gada_hashim) August 14, 2020

Khafaji is known for his widespread activity in popular protests against the ruling political elite accused of corruption and foreign subordination.

For its part, the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Iraq warned of the return of assassinations against civilian activists, in connection with the assassination of Al-Khafaji.

"We confirm our previous warnings about the return of the phenomenon of assassinating civilian activists, which indicates weakness of the intelligence services and a lack of security information," the commission (an official linked to the parliament) said in a statement.

The statement added that "the lack of disclosure of those involved in many of the previous assassinations encouraged the gangs of gagging and freedom of opinion to resume their crimes."

And he added, "This makes the government and security agencies responsible for the obligation to ensure the security of citizens in general and civilian activists in particular."

Dozens of civilian activists have been subjected to assassinations since the start of the popular movement last October, against the political class accused of corruption and dependence on the outside.

The popular movement succeeded in toppling the government of Adel Abdul Mahdi late last year after months of violent protests.

According to government figures, 565 protesters and security personnel were killed during the protests, among them dozens of activists who were assassinated by unknown persons.

The new government, headed by Mustafa Al-Kazemi, pledged to prosecute those involved in the killing of protesters and activists, but no accused has been brought to justice so far.