Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi vowed on Saturday that the government will be unyielding in dealing with any member of the security forces found guilty of using live fire against the Iraqi people.
In a tweet, he vowed that the state will be firm in dealing with any member of the security forces caught violating the order to avoid the use of live bullets against anti-government protesters, citing the recent violence in the southern city of Basra.
Iraqi security forces opened fire during clashes with hundreds of protesters in Basra on Friday, killing one demonstrator and wounding several others as tensions flared once again.
The victim was identified as Omar Fadhel.
Kadhimi confirmed that the security forces member suspected of killing Fadhel was detained and “he will receive his just punishment.”
The protester’s death sparked outrage and severe criticism against Kadhimi’s government and security forces. Activists accused them of following in the same footsteps of previous governments in their violent approach against the rallies.
Hundreds of Basra activists took part in Fadhel’s funeral on Saturday.
Basra journalist Shehab Ahmed told Asharq Al-Awsat that the victim had lost his parents and was living at his aunt’s modest home in the city.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of the security forces member suspected of killing Fadhel. It said that he had confessed to the crime and that he will be referred to the judiciary to receive his sentence.
It pledged that it will continue in transparently dealing with the public over current developments. It added that the security forces are committed to following the orders of the supreme commander of the armed forces and interior minister in that they will not carry arms or use them against protesters.
The role of the security forces is limited to protecting the demonstrators and exercising the greatest levels of restraint, it said.
