Iraq Imprisons Police Officers Over Arson at Swedish Embassy

An Iraqi court sentenced 18 police officers to prison after finding them guilty of failing to prevent protesters from setting fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in July. This protest was against a planned event to burn a copy of the Quran in Stockholm. According to a copy of the ruling obtained by Reuters, and confirmed by two officials from the Ministry of Interior, a court in Baghdad issued prison sentences ranging from 18 months to three years on Tuesday. The ruling stated that the police officers were convicted for "failing to perform their duties assigned to them in protecting the Swedish embassy and preventing individuals from storming and burning it, as it is one of their fundamental responsibilities." The document notes that the ruling and prison terms are subject to appeal.