Former Hashd al-Shaabi official released on bail in Iraq's Diyala

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A former Hashd al-Shaabi official and another detainee were released on bail after roughly 48 hours in custody in Iraq's Diyala province, security sources said. The sources said judicial authorities ordered the release of Kamran Wais Murad and Ribin Star, who had been detained in the Khanaqin district under Article 200 of the Iraqi Penal Code. They had been arrested on accusations of sharing video content that incited sectarian and ethnic hatred in the district, according to the sources. The videos allegedly called on residents to avoid contact with the Arab population, urged that Arabs not be allowed to live in Khanaqin, and demanded that Arabs not be appointed to state positions in the district. According to the sources, Murad previously served in Hashd al-Shaabi, headed the Badr Organization's Khanaqin office, later joined the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement and subsequently moved to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. No further details were immediately available on any planned prosecution after the bail release.