Iraqi court sentences three persons to death over links with the Islamic State terrorist group

An Iraqi court has sentenced three persons to death by hanging over links with the Islamic State militant group and their involvement in launching attacks against security forces and civilians in Anbar governorate.

Iraqi website Alghad Press quoted Abdul-Sattar al-Bayraqdar, the spokesman for Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, as saying that “the verdict was issued by the Anbar Criminal Court after the trio admitted launching attacks on Albu Faraj village, leaving scores of civilians killed, and striking a police station and an army post in the governorate.”

Bayraqdar added that “the court ruling was issued pursuant to article 1/4 of the anti-terrorism law.”

Iraqi courts have sentenced tens of Islamic State members, including a big number of female members, to death over joining the militant group.

The exact number of detained militants is still unknown, however, it’s estimated to be at thousands. It’s also unclear how many members are likely to face death sentences.

Moreover, the Iraqi government did not provide estimates about number of the foreign detained militants or those who have Arab or Iraqi origins.

The Iraqi government declared victory over the militant group in December, ending a three-year military campaign to retake areas occupied by the group in 2014.

Human rights groups have always criticized collective death sentences issued by Iraqi courts, claiming that some detainees are tortured and threatened.

Source: Iraqi News