Iraqi court hands death sentence to 6 protesters found guilty of killing teenager

Hundreds were killed by security forces in violent crackdowns on anti-government protests that began in October last year

A protester stands next to the pictures of protesters who were killed in clashes with security forces during the anti-government protests at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad. EPA

People hold up a picture of a slain protester as they gather with national flags for a demonstration in Tahrir Square in the centre of Iraq's capital Baghdad. AFP

A demonstrator gestures during a protest to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq on October 1, 2020. AP Photo

A protester waves the Iraqi national flag during a demonstration at the Al-Firdus square in central Baghdad. EPA

Demonstrators play the role of detainees as they gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests at Tahrir Square in Baghdad. Reuters

Protesters walk next to a wall with graffiti near Tahrir square in central Baghdad. EPA

Women light candles and pray for the victims of protests at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad. EPA

Demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests, in Najaf, Iraq. Reuters

Demonstrators light candles to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq. AP Photo

A protester lights candles and prays for the victims of protests at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad. EPA

Men prepare torches as Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests, in Najaf. Reuters

Protesters carry the Iraqi national flag as they stand on concrete blocks which are used by security forces to block the Al-Jumhuriya bridge, close to Tahrir square in central Baghdad. EPA

Iraqis carry the Iraqi national flag and chant slogans during a demonstration at Tahrir square in central Baghdad. EPA

Protesters wave Iraqi national flags as they gather for a demonstration in Tahrir Square in the centre of Iraq's capital Baghdad. AFP

Iraqi protesters wave the national flag as they gather for a demonstration in Tahrir Square in the centre of Iraq's capital Baghdad. AFP

A Baghdad court has sentenced six protesters to death after convicting them of lynching a teenager in one of Baghdad’s protest encampments last year.

Leaderless protests erupted in Iraq in October 2019 against endemic corruption, soaring unemployment and poor public services. Demonstrators also demanded an overhaul of the political system, which has been in place since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Thousands of protesters blocked the main streets, squares and commercial areas during the months-long campaign in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern parts of the country.

For days, 16-year old Haitham Ali Ismael had been trying to convince the protesters not to obstruct the street near his family home in Baghdad’s Wathba Square, but to no avail.

Armed with a pistol, Mr Ismael fired on the protesters from his house roof in a bid to shoo them away, police said.

The protesters claim they thought he was a member of security forces or a militia.

They broke into his house, stabbed him and dragged his bleeding body into the street before hanging him by his ankles from a traffic light pole and cutting his throat.

An official document issued by the court detailing the ruling was widely circulated by local media. The six convictions include one female protester, who was also sentenced to death. A court official confirmed the ruling, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with local regulations.

Meanwhile, the protesters have distanced themselves from the perpetrators.

"They are not protesters like us," activist Ahmed Khaldoun told The National. "Those are infiltrators paid by parties to defame the protests and their peaceful means," Mr Khaldoun added.

Like many activists, Mr Khaldoun has fled Baghdad to the northern Kurdish region due to threats against his life.

“The judiciary system has to investigate the killings of the protesters and bring those responsible before justice,” he added.

At least 560 protesters and members of security forces have been killed, while thousands of others were wounded up to July 30 according to government statistics released on July 30.

Some activists were kidnapped and killed outside the protest encampments that lined the road leading up to Tahrir Square.

Former prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, who was forced to resign a few weeks after the protests began, denied ordering the use of lethal ammunition and blamed a “third party” for the killings.

The current prime minister, Mustafa Al Kadhimi, promised a thorough investigation into the violence against protesters after his government was installed in early May.

Last month, Mr Al Kadhimi announced that the first stage - of listing the names of victims - had been completed, and on Sunday he formed a five-judge committee to investigate the killings.