A crime that shocked Iraqi society involved an Iraqi citizen being forced to confess to murdering his wife under torture, only for it to be revealed that she is still alive. On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met with those involved in extracting coerced confessions from the "Babylonian citizen," in the presence of the latter, ordering their detention until a decision is made regarding their case.
The media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister released a statement indicating that Al-Kadhimi met with the innocent citizen, Ali Al-Jubouri from Babil province, who had previously faced a false accusation of killing his wife, who was later confirmed to be alive. Al-Kadhimi listened to the details of this citizen's case, where he presented his plight in front of the investigators who had coerced a confession from him under torture.
Al-Kadhimi directed the removal of those who dared to violate the citizen's rights, to conduct an investigation against them, and to keep them in detention until the judicial authorities decide on their actions. The Prime Minister also suggested that the wronged citizen file a lawsuit to restore his honor and rights, and that a new committee be formed to monitor the application of human rights standards and oversee the work of investigators, ensuring all personnel involved in investigations adhere strictly to human rights principles.
In his first appearance following the case of the wrongfully accused young man, Ali Al-Jubouri, the chief investigator in the case, Colonel Ahmed Hadi, attempted to clear his name before Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi during a "tense" meeting involving all parties connected to the case that has stirred Iraq recently. After young Ali recounted what had happened to him, Al-Kadhimi inquired about the chief investigator, Colonel Ahmed Hadi, reprimanding him for sitting, instructing him to stand and saying in colloquial dialect: "You are sitting there, get up."
Al-Kadhimi asked the investigator if he was from the Criminal Investigation Department in the Ministry of Interior, to which he replied, "Yes." The colonel appeared flustered discussing the case details and the information he relied upon to gather the alleged crime parties, stating that young Ali was the only one who confessed to the "non-existent" crime.
A video segment released by the Prime Minister's office displayed Hadi speaking before Al-Kadhimi, where he claimed that "the evidence was the presence of sources in the area who provided information that the young man's wife returned with him from the visit." Hadi added briefly that "the judge confirmed the information, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant against the young man," to which Al-Kadhimi retorted that "the judge relies on the information you provide," according to the newspaper Nas. Al-Kadhimi instructed General Ahmed Abu Raghif to conduct a thorough investigation with the responsible officer and revoke all powers granted to him.
