Major-general Shaalan Ali, the Police Commander of Rusafa, ordered the arrest of the crew of “Al-Sumaria” TV while covering the Health Professions Job-Demanding protests in Baghdad.
The reporter of the channel “Amir Al-Khafaji”, and the cameraman “Omar Abbas”, were nearby the Ministry of Finance to provide live and reported coverage of the protests when they were attacked by several members of “SWAT” force. The cameraman was physically assaulted, and when Al-Khafaji intervened, he too was beaten and deprived of his phone and equipment.
The crew insisted on filing a complaint to the Police commander about the assault that was made by his forces. However, the latter ordered his forces to arrest the crew and bring them to Bab Al-Moadham Police station, afterwards, transferring them to Bab Al-Sheikh Police station, and their release came after over two hours, only when signing a written pledge.
Videos that were obtained by the Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq, clearly display the unjustified violence against the crew when they were detained and they condemn the brutal treatment of the crew, calling it a direct violation of the constitutionally guaranteed Freedom of the Press.
The association urgesQ authorities to uphold the law and ensure journalists can work freely without restrictions and remind the Commander-in-Chief of his promises and responsibility to protect The Freedom of Speech and Press, and to take action against the daily violence faced by journalists.
