Baghdad court jails two for assaulting traffic police officer

BAGHDAD — A Baghdad court on Wednesday sentenced two individuals to two years in prison for assaulting a traffic police officer, the Interior Ministry said.

The Mahmudiya Misdemeanor Court, part of the Baghdad Al-Karkh Appeals Court, handed down the ruling after evidence confirmed the charges in an incident that took place on Sept. 2, 2025.

The Interior Ministry praised the judiciary’s decision, saying it “highly values the significant role played by the Iraqi judiciary in supporting the efforts of the security services and protecting their dignity.” It added that “the authority of a security officer reflects the authority of the state,” warning there will be no leniency toward those who attack personnel in uniform.

According to the ministry, courts have issued 74 rulings this year against individuals convicted of assaulting security forces across Iraq. Sentences have ranged from execution and long-term imprisonment to lighter penalties, depending on the severity of the offense.

“The ministry will not tolerate violations against its members,” the statement said, urging citizens to avoid obstructing or undermining the work of security personnel.

In recent months, several similar incidents have been reported. In June, security forces in Kirkuk arrested 11 individuals accused of attacking a police patrol near a wedding hall. In May, five suspects were detained for assaulting a traffic officer in Baghdad’s al-Zuhur sector, while in April, a Basra traffic officer lost one leg and sustained severe injuries after being struck by a truck driver who refused to comply with road restrictions.