Surveillance footage shows the moment a gunman approached a police vehicle transporting a murder suspect outside the Kut First Instance Court on June 19.
Kut shooting prompts dismissal of five police personnel after court review
KUT — Iraq’s Internal Security Forces Court has dismissed two officers and three police personnel following a June 19 shooting outside the Kut First Instance Court that injured a murder suspect and two police officers.
The shooting occurred as a police unit transported a murder suspect in the open bed of a pickup truck, in violation of ministerial regulations requiring detainees to be moved in enclosed vehicles. Before reaching the courthouse, the group was ambushed by the brother of a murder victim, who opened fire with a handgun and fled the scene. The suspect and two officers were wounded.
In response, the interior minister ordered a fact-finding committee. Its findings were submitted to the Internal Security Forces Court, which issued rulings on June 29, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Col. Abbas Karim Thani, head of the Al-Falahiyah police station at the time, was sentenced to one year in prison under Article 341 of the Penal Code for serious dereliction of duty and an additional six months under Article 27 for violating orders and regulations. He was dismissed from service.
Lt. Col. Suad Abdul-Salam Mohammed received a two-year sentence under Article 341 and was also dismissed.
Officer Raad Hafez Radi was sentenced to six months under Article 27 and dismissed from service. Officer Kazem Hassan Sayyid received a one-year sentence under Article 341 and was also removed from his post.
The court acquitted Col. Kazem Aqeel Kazem and Officer Uday Alawi Swaidij due to insufficient evidence.