Court sentences ISIS-linked defendants to life for Ashura procession fires

BAGHDAD — A Karbala criminal court on Thursday sentenced 19 defendants, including one woman, to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of burning several Ashura processions during the 2025 Arbaeen pilgrimage.

The Supreme Judicial Council said the court determined the group was affiliated with ISIS and carried out the arson attacks “with the aim of spreading fear to carry out their criminal plans.” The ruling found the defendants responsible for setting fire to multiple processions in Karbala during this year’s pilgrimage.

The sentences were handed down under Article 4/1 of the Anti-Terrorism Law No. 13 of 2005, in addition to related provisions in Article 2/1, 2, 4 and 7, and participation articles 47, 48 and 49 of the Penal Code, as well as Article 132/1.

Husseini processions, or mawākib husayniyah, are volunteer-led groups that support millions of pilgrims during major Shia religious events, particularly Arbaeen. They provide food, water, shelter and medical assistance along routes to Karbala and inside the city.

Arbaeen is one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, marking 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain in 680 AD. Millions of Iraqis and foreign visitors walk to Karbala to visit his shrine, with many continuing to Najaf to visit the shrine of Imam Ali.

The Imam Hussain Shrine Administration said more than 22 million people participated in this year’s pilgrimage, counted through an electronic system installed at Karbala’s main entrances from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15. The authority reported 22,354,578 visitors, saying the figures were compiled using modern systems to provide accurate data for institutions and media outlets.