Six sentenced to death for killing police college student in Diwaniyah

DIWANIYAH — The Al-Qadisiyah Criminal Court on Sunday issued death sentences against six individuals convicted of murdering police college student Amir Al-Khalidi while he was returning to his residence.

The court said the crime was linked to “disputes with the victim’s tribe.” The sentences were issued under Article 406/1/A of the Iraqi Penal Code and in accordance with Articles 47, 48, and 49, which concerns murder.

The crime occurred on Feb. 13, 2025, in the Al-Haffar area of the Al-Shamiya district and was motivated by tribal revenge. A security source told 964media that Al-Khalidi—a student from the 71st class at the Police College—was shot ten times while visiting home on leave. Armed men from a rival tribe opened fire in retaliation for a murder allegedly committed by his cousin.

In a separate ruling, the court sentenced five of the convicts to 10 years in prison for carrying out a tribal attack, in which they fired weapons at Al-Khalidi’s home without causing injuries.

Ten days after the incident, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior announced on Feb. 24 the arrest of all suspects in connection with the killing Al-Khalidi. The arrests followed what officials described as a “precise security operation” led by local security forces and intelligence units.