by Rosie Alfatlawi
Seven young anti-corruption activists abducted in Baghdad early on Monday morning were released on Tuesday.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry said in a statement that the “seven young people had been returned safely to their families” through the efforts of the Interior Minister, although no details were given around the circumstances of their release.
Ministry Advisor Wahaab Altaee did not provide any indication as to the identity of the kidnappers, however Iraqi News reported that the Iraqi Joint Operations Command is working to uncover their identities.
The authorities had come under fire for alleged complicity in the abductions after they were accused by some of allowing the armed kidnappers to pass checkpoints in the Iraqi capital, and failing to identify the perpetrators.
Protestors had gathered on Tuesday in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square demanding the government take immediate action to free the kidnapped men.
"Release my fiance"
Just now, an Iraqi lover in Tahrir Square is demanding her fiancé [be released]. Nothing remains that has not been kidnapped from our lives #Iraq_is_kidnapped
Following the young men’s release, Iraqi Communist Party leader and fellow activist Jassim Alhelfi, shared a series of posts on his Facebook page.
The seven kidnapped youths have been released.
After the seven youths’ arrival at Andalus Square
On the reasons for the young men's kidnap, Helfi wrote that "these young people stood up against corruption and the system of sectarian quotas in politics and in favour of a technocratic government.”
He described the kidnapping as "an attack on freedom of expression and a move aimed at instilling fear in the population and snuffing out the protest movement".
"But this is a national cause and it will not be silenced... Such acts will only increase the determination of the demonstrators," he concluded.
Protests calling for an end to Iraq’s widespread corruption, civil governance and reform of the country’s electoral commission have been held regularly in Baghdad since summer 2015. Initially launched by secular activists such as the kidnapped men, more recently the protests have been largely taken over by supporters of populist Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
