Wasit police deny allegations in viral video over man’s death

WASIT — Wasit police have denied allegations circulating in a widely shared video that accuse local officers of causing a man’s death, saying the incident was a traffic accident, not a criminal act.

The video shows a man weeping and claiming his brother died as a result of actions taken by police officers. In the clip, he appeals directly to Iraq’s interior minister to intervene.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Wasit Police Command said, “The incident in question is a traffic accident that occurred when a motorcycle collided with a patrol vehicle from the Town Police Department near the Passport Directorate on April 13.”

According to the statement, the motorcyclist was taken to a hospital immediately after the collision and underwent surgery on April 16. “However, he passed away today,” the statement said.

The police rejected the allegations outright. “All accusations and circulated claims are false and have no basis in truth,” the command added.