Tech 4 Peace
What is the truth about the video circulating as showing “the released defendant Abdullah Al-Sabaawi”?
A video clip circulated on social media platforms with the following text: “This criminal was acquitted by the Bani al-Itar government.”
The truth:
The attached claim is misleading. The person shown in the circulated video clip, excerpted from an episode of the program "In the Grip of the Law" aired on the Iraqiya channel, had been identified by the Supreme Judicial Council in a statement released on Monday, September 26, 2023, as Ibrahim Badeewi Mohammad:
"Had previously been sentenced to death. The verdict was confirmed by the Court of Cassation, and the sentence was carried out after the issuance of the republican decree."
As for the person who was released, he is Abdullah Yasser Al-Sabaawi. He was arrested by the Lebanese security forces in mid-August 2022 in Beirut based on an Interpol warrant at the request of Iraq, following accusations of involvement in the Speicher massacre in Saladin. He was subsequently extradited to Iraq.
Regarding Al-Sabaawi's release, the Judicial Council clarified that
"the court issued a decision to release him due to insufficient evidence, and the case will be reviewed by the Court of Cassation. It is worth noting that the Criminal Court of Rusafa had determined that the accused, Abdullah Al-Sabawi was in one of the Arab countries on the date of the incident."
According to an official document issued by the Criminal Court of Rusafa on September 20, 2023, which has been recently circulated by the media, it was decided to "cancel the charge against Abdullah Yasser Sabawi, due to insufficient evidence obtained, in the case of participating in the Speicher massacre, thus releasing him unless he is required in another case."
It is worth noting that Al-Sabaawi is the grandson of the half-brother of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
