Iraq’s interior ministry issues arrest warrant for TikTok star ‘Hasshas’

BAGHDAD – An arrest warrant has been issued for Iraqi TikTok star Enad Khalid, known as “Hasshas,” a security source revealed on Saturday. The “indecent content” charge stems from a crackdown by Iraq’s Ministry of Interior’s committee against material deemed ‘unsuitable’ on social media.

Since February 2023, the ministry and the Supreme Judicial Council have targeted what they describe as “unsuitable or low” content in an effort to uphold Iraqi “morals and traditions.”

Hasshas, who boasts over eight million TikTok followers, has gained popularity through his humorous pranks and challenges. Details on the specific content leading to his arrest warrant remain undisclosed.

The crackdown has led to multiple arrests and sentences. In 2023, the ministry introduced ‘Ballegh,’ a digital platform for anonymously reporting social media content that allegedly “offends public decency and carries negative messages.” This initiative has spurred several influencer arrests and prosecutions.

On Thursday, TikTok influencer Aya Al-Shammari was detained under similar charges. Known for her promotional videos, Al-Shammari has amassed more than two million followers.

The campaign has sparked mixed reactions. Some defend it as essential for preserving cultural norms, while critics argue it threatens free speech, noting the vague criteria for “indecent content” could be used to quash dissent.

In a notable case, TikTok influencer Umm Al-Lool initially received a four-month prison sentence for “indecent content” from the Baghdad Karkh Misdemeanor Court. Her sentence was later escalated to life for drug trafficking under Article 28, though she won an appeal for retrial in July.

Additionally, TikTok personality Umm Fahad, known for light-hearted videos, was assassinated in Baghdad’s Zayouna district. Previously, she served six months for videos containing what was judged as indecent speech.

In another violent incident, transgender social media figure Simsim was murdered in February in Diwaniyah, southern Iraq.