Interior Ministry refers officer, three personnel for investigation over alleged assault

DIWANIYAH — Iraq’s Interior Ministry has ordered legal action against a police officer and three personnel following the alleged sexual assault of a female detainee at a police station in Diwaniyah, saying those involved will be referred to investigative and judicial authorities.

In a statement issued Saturday, First Deputy Interior Minister Hussein Al-Awadi directed authorities to take immediate legal measures against the suspects and refer them to the competent investigative and judicial bodies. The ministry said it would pursue the maximum legal and administrative penalties against anyone found responsible, adding that such actions “do not represent the principles of the Interior Ministry or the ethics of the police.”

A security source told 964media that the alleged assault occurred on July 28. The source said police leadership became suspicious after surveillance cameras at the station were repeatedly switched off, prompting an internal investigation.

The Human Rights Committee of the Diwaniyah Provincial Council called for an independent judicial investigation under direct court supervision and urged authorities to preserve evidence and prevent interference in the case. Committee chair Anwar Manhi Al-Zaidi described the allegations as a serious incident that, if proven, would undermine public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

The Diwaniyah office of Iraq’s Commission for Human Rights said it had formed a specialized monitoring team to examine the case and follow developments in coordination with local police. The commission said the judiciary remains the sole authority responsible for determining criminal liability and reiterated its condemnation of any violation of human rights within detention facilities.