Interior Ministry denies foul play in death of Italian national in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Ministry has denied reports that an Italian citizen died under suspicious circumstances in Baghdad, saying the individual suffered a sudden health problem unrelated to any criminal act.

Initial reports from some Iraqi media outlets, citing unnamed security sources, claimed that an Italian national had been found dead inside the “Italian House” hotel in the Arasat district. The reports said authorities had launched an investigation after discovering the body of a man identified only by the initials H.A.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Interior Ministry clarified the incident, saying, “On 12/9/2025, we received a report of a death inside al-Kindi Hospital. Immediately, we moved to the hospital, and it became clear that the deceased was of Italian nationality and Egyptian origin. He had been residing in a hotel in the Karrada–Arasat area after entering Iraq on 9/9/2025.”

The ministry added that the man had been in Baghdad for professional cooperation with the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, specifically its Directorate of Roads and Bridges. “Initial investigations showed that the deceased suffered a sudden health problem, after which he was transferred by one of his friends to the hospital,” the statement said.

The ministry confirmed that “there is no criminal suspicion in the incident, and the death was natural due to the deterioration of his health condition.”