Psychiatrist’s death in Basra ruled suicide, but colleague calls for review

BASRA — A psychiatrist was found dead in her home in central Basra on Monday in what authorities described as a suicide, though a colleague has called for an independent investigation, citing concerns about the circumstances of her death.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m., according to a security source who told 964media that “a woman in her thirties ended her life by cutting her wrist arteries with a sharp object inside her home.”

The victim was identified as Dr. Ban Ziyad Tariq, a psychiatrist working at a government-run medical facility in the governorate.

The Basra branch of the Iraqi Medical Association issued a statement mourning her death. “With deep sadness and sorrow, we mourn the death of Dr. Ban Ziyad Tariq, a specialist in psychiatry and mental health,” the statement said.

Dr. Wissam Mohammed, head of the association’s Basra branch, described the death as “a painful loss to the medical community, given her professional and humanitarian competence in her field of specialization.” He extended condolences to her family and colleagues.

Separately, Dr. Mohammed Mahdi Mnakhour, another psychiatrist, raised questions about the official account. In a post on his Facebook page, Mnakhour said he had reviewed the preliminary forensic report and viewed images that he believes warrant further scrutiny.

“We, as doctors, are deeply concerned about what happened to our respected colleague, Dr. Ban,” he wrote. “We have reviewed the preliminary forensic report and seen disturbing images that suggest torture and mutilation. The hands have been slashed down to the bone, a procedure that is impossible to imagine being self-inflicted.”

He added: “How can a person cut both of their hands themselves? We do not claim to know the full truth, but we demand a narrative that respects our intelligence.”

Mnakhour called on the Iraqi government and the governor of Basra to conduct a “transparent and impartial investigation” into the case. “The greater crime is not that someone is killed, but that their murder is blamed on them,” he wrote.

Authorities have not publicly responded to the request for further investigation.