June 20, 2025
A security force affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) detained a correspondent for China’s CGTN channel while he was covering a protest near the Suspension Bridge in central Baghdad.
The correspondent’s father, Jiyar Rauf Rasul, told the Iraqi Press Freedom Advocacy Association that his son was arrested by the force securing the protests on the grounds that he did not possess an official press ID from the media outlet he works for. He affirmed that the Chinese channel provided the detaining force with an official letter confirming that Jiyar is employed by them.
However, the PMF-affiliated force reportedly disregarded the letter and insisted on continuing to hold the journalist.
The Iraqi Press Freedom Advocacy Association expresses its deep concern over this unjustified arrest and holds both the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the detaining party fully responsible for the safety of journalist Jiyar Rauf. The association calls for his immediate release.
The association emphasizes that arresting journalists in such a manner undermines the principle of press freedom and media rights, which are guaranteed by the Iraqi Constitution.
