Former Nineveh Governor Released Under Amnesty in 2019 Ferry Sinking Case

MOSUL, Iraq — Former Nineveh Governor Nevfel el-Akûb was released from custody on Tuesday, his lawyer told Shafaq News. Akûb said a court had issued the release order earlier, but formalities delayed the implementation until today. Akûb had been detained in connection with a March 2019 ferry accident on the Tigris River near Um Rubiayin Island. The tourist vessel, carrying families, capsized and killed more than 100 people. He was removed from his post following the disaster. The Iraqi Anti-Corruption Commission said in October 2020 that it had executed an arrest warrant against Akûb on corruption charges. The commission's investigation department said the warrant was carried out with approval from the court handling the cases. His case was closed after he was included under Iraq's general amnesty law. Akûb is a prominent member of the Bu Hamid tribe in Nineveh.