Iraqi Sunni Endowments files complaint against commentator Issam Hussein

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Sunni Endowments Authority has filed a criminal complaint against political commentator Issam Hussein, accusing him of inciting sectarian strife. The complaint, signed by the authority's director general of the legal department, was submitted to the Karkh Third Investigative Court in Baghdad. The filing alleges that Hussein used insulting language, defamation and sectarian incitement in a way that harmed national unity and social cohesion during a program called "Mona Sami." The authority asked the court to open a criminal investigation into his conduct. Separately, Iraq's Communications and Media Commission ruled two days ago that the program aired on Al-Oula television violated broadcasting standards. The commission ordered the program taken off the air, imposed a 25 million dinar fine on the channel, and banned Hussein from appearing on screen for 60 days.