Iraq.. Al-Zaidi terminates Hamid Al-Shatri's assignment as head of the Intelligence Service
Amman2 min read
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi terminated the duties of the head of the National Intelligence Service, Hamid Al-Shatri, on Monday, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), without providing further details.
In a parallel context, the Karkh Third Court issued an arrest warrant for the Chairman of the Maysan Provincial Council, Mustafa Al-Muhammadawi, following a complaint filed by Al-Zaidi's office regarding his threats of civil disobedience and blocking roads in protest against the continued closure of the Al-Shib border crossing with Iran.
The Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that the arrest warrant was issued based on a complaint from the Prime Minister's office, while a judicial document showed that the office requested "taking legal action against Al-Muhammadawi, against the backdrop of threatening civil disobedience and blocking roads, and giving the government a 3-day ultimatum to reopen the Al-Shib border crossing."
The court issued the arrest warrant in accordance with the provisions of Article 224, second part, of the Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, as amended, according to the agency.
Threat of civil disobedience
On October 20, the Iraqi government announced the closure of the Al-Shib border crossing with Iran until further notice. Subsequently, the Iranian Interior Ministry expressed its dissatisfaction with the decision, as Tehran had not received prior notification regarding it from Baghdad.
On Sunday, Al-Muhammadawi gave the federal government until next Thursday to reopen the crossing, threatening during a press conference at the crossing to declare civil disobedience, block roads, and "separate the province from the body of Iraq" if his demand is not met.
On the same day, dozens of protesters blocked the vital "Bazargan" road leading to oil companies in rejection of the continued closure of the crossing, amid a security deployment in the vicinity of the demonstrations.
On Monday, Al-Zaidi directed that an investigation be conducted with the Chairman of the Maysan Provincial Council regarding his threats.
Members of the Provincial Council warned of the negative repercussions of closing the crossing on the economic and living conditions of the people of Maysan, calling for its reopening.
