Dr. Faisal Al-Huwaizi
Retired doctor’s killing in Najaf ‘motivated by theft’
NAJAF — Yusuf Kanawi, governor of Najaf, clarified on Sunday that the killing of retired dentist Faisal Al-Huwaizi was driven by theft, not a targeted attack on medical professionals in the governorate.
Cities across Iraq have witnessed targeted attacks against well-known scientific professionals, including doctors, either through assassination or kidnapping, generating concern among professional communities. This was especially prevalent about two decades ago during the Iraqi civil war. While often no group claimed responsibility, the attacks were mostly attributed to Sunni extremist groups.
News of Al-Huwaizi’s death spread widely on Friday. He was found bound at his hands and feet in his home in the Al-Ghari neighborhood.
The local government is planning to deploy surveillance cameras throughout the city to enhance crime detection. Police Chief Alaa Al-Fatlawi announced that the personal driver of the victim committed the crime, stealing a 50-kilogram safe.
The cause of death was initially reported as a fatal bullet to the head, but later determined to be a skull fracture from a blow to the forehead, causing Al-Huwaizi to fall onto the bed’s edge.
“Such crimes occur globally,” Kanawi said. “But some media channels have portrayed these as targeting incidents professionals, whereas these are crimes driven by theft, and Najaf remains safe.”
Al-Fatlawi stated that the crime was solved within 14 hours, leading to the capture of the suspects.
The suspect, a known ‘repeat offender’ who had previously worked as a driver for Dr. Al-Huwaizi, “stole a 50 kg safe and moved it to several locations, and we are working to retrieve it,” he said.
Al-Fatlawi emphasized that the thief was a family driver, aided by an accomplice and a woman. Further details were not disclosed.The Iraqi Dentists Syndicate in Najaf mourned Al-Huwaizi in a statement, expressing condolences and recognizing him as a specialist dentist and former dean of the College of Dentistry at Al-Mustansiriya University.