Basra

Security officer detained after allegedly firing into air during graduation ceremony

BASRA — Gunfire erupted during a graduation ceremony at Basra’s Sports City Monday morning, leading to the detention of a security officer and his team, authorities said.

A video circulating on social media appears to show an altercation between stadium security personnel and students from Al-Maqal University during a graduation ceremony at Basra’s Sports City. The incident escalated to gunfire, with Basra Police confirming that a security officer fired into the air. The officer, along with the assigned security detail, has been detained as an investigation is underway.

“The incident occurred while the personnel were performing their duty to secure the event. One officer fired into the air during the altercation,” the Basra Police Command said in a statement.

Basra Police Chief Maj. Gen. Latif Abdul Redha Al-Saad ordered the immediate detention of the officer and the security unit involved. A committee has been formed to investigate the matter, authorities say.

A student who witnessed the altercation told 964media, “One of the graduates invited his friends to the ceremony, but security forces tried to stop them from entering, claiming that male attendees were not allowed into the stadium due to the presence of female students and families. This led to a dispute between the student and security personnel, during which gunfire was used to disperse the crowd.”

The student involved in the confrontation was arrested and remains in police custody.