Sajjad Al-Iraqi’s mother continues sit-in as author launches book on missing activist​

NASIRIYAH — The mother of Sajjad Al-Iraqi, a prominent activist kidnapped in 2020, continued her sit-in protest outside the Dhi Qar Provincial Council building on Sunday, marking the fourth anniversary of his abduction. The sit-in coincided with the launch of author Hussein Al-Amil’s book, “Sajjad Al-Iraqi: The Story of a Missing Rebel,” which documents Sajjad’s kidnapping during the Tishreen protests.

Sajjad Al-Iraqi was abducted on Sept. 20, 2020, while traveling with friends in Nasiriyah. Despite the issuance of arrest warrants for two suspects—Idris Kreidi and Ahmed Mohammed Abd—in November 2020, neither has been apprehended. Both men were sentenced to death in absentia in March 2023 for their involvement in the kidnapping, but Sajjad’s whereabouts remain unknown.

During the event, Al-Amil told 964media: “On the fourth anniversary of Sajjad Al-Iraqi’s abduction, we are holding this event to highlight the broader issue of the missing, especially Sajjad, who was taken from his hometown and whose fate remains unknown for over four years.”

The Tishreen Movement, which began in October 2019, was a mass protest against economic hardship, government corruption, and inadequate public services. It was the largest movement since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, continuing until May 2021.

Al-Amil emphasized the broader issue of Iraq’s missing persons, saying: “Our primary concern now is the missing. Over 80 people remain missing in Iraq, 800 protesters were killed, and more than 30,000 were injured during the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.”

According to the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, more than 600 people were killed during the Tishreen protests, a figure higher than official government estimates. The report warned that the lack of accountability could embolden further violence.

Al-Amil called for action: “We urge the government and the international community to uncover the fate of the missing and bring to justice those responsible for the suppression of protesters.”

Sajjad’s mother, who has been protesting for three consecutive days, said: “We are here in front of the provincial council, and today we are hosting the book event for ‘Sajjad Al-Iraqi: The Story of a Missing Rebel’. It has been four years, and the government still hasn’t informed us of his fate, nor have they arrested the known kidnappers.”

Sajjad’s friend, Hassan Hadi, also spoke at the event: “The people of Dhi Qar are remembering the fourth anniversary of Sajjad Al-Iraqi’s abduction. We urge the central government and judiciary to hold those responsible for his kidnapping accountable.”

Hadi reiterated grievances about the lack of accountability: “Sajjad’s kidnappers are known, and arrest warrants have been issued, yet no action has been taken. Meanwhile, protesters from Tahrir Square and elsewhere were quickly detained. We have 800 martyrs and 30,000 wounded, and none of their killers have been brought to justice. We renew our demand that the central government reveal the fate of Sajjad Al-Iraqi and the other missing protesters.”

In April, a statue commemorating Sajjad was unveiled at the Al-Hadharat Bridge in central Nasiriyah.

On Sept. 9, dozens of protesters, joined by families of Tishreen movement victims, gathered in Al-Habboubi Square, demanding justice for those killed during the protests. They also called for a retrial of Officer Omar Nizar, who was acquitted of charges related to the 2019 Al-Zaytoun Bridge massacre due to “insufficient evidence.”

The massacre, one of the deadliest episodes of the Tishreen protests, resulted in 20 deaths and 190 injuries, leading to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi.