Seven arrested in Nineveh for chanting ‘pro-Baath Party slogans’

NINEVEH — The Iraqi National Security Service in Nineveh arrested seven individuals for chanting slogans ‘in support’ of the banned Baath Party during public celebrations following Iraq’s national football team victory over Palestine last week, according to a statement from the National Security Service.

The arrests, made with judicial approvals, involved suspects accused of promoting Baathist ideology during large gatherings, which have been outlawed in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003.

The statement has not disclosed what the specific chants entailed.

“The arrests came after careful monitoring of public gatherings to prevent any actions that could threaten societal peace,” the statement read.

The Baath Party, which ruled Iraq from 1968 to 2003, was responsible for widespread human rights violations and the brutal suppression of uprisings, especially under Saddam Hussein. Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the party was banned, and Law No. 32 of 2016 criminalises any form of support, promotion, or glorification of the Baath Party.