Iraq: officer, three police face legal action over attack on detainee in Diwaniyah

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry has launched urgent legal proceedings against an officer and three police officers accused of attacking a female detainee at a police station in Diwaniyah province, the ministry said on Saturday. The statement identified the official who ordered the action as Deputy Interior Minister Hussein al-Awadi, the ministry's most senior deputy. The ministry said al-Awadi instructed that the personnel be referred for investigation and face the required administrative and legal measures. It added that the case file has been forwarded to the relevant judicial and law enforcement authorities for examination. In its statement, the ministry said those involved in the incident would be punished in the strongest possible manner and that there would be zero tolerance for conduct that violates human dignity or the law. It said such actions are incompatible with the ministry's principles. Al-Awadi said anyone who abuses their authority or infringes on citizens' rights will be held accountable and that the law will be applied without exception, according to the statement.