Iraqi court orders arrest of police officer, three officers in Diwaniya assault case

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A judge at the Diwaniya misdemeanor criminal court ordered the arrest of a police officer and three policemen over allegations of a group sexual assault on a woman held at a police station in the city, a local security source said. The decision followed statements the woman gave as part of the investigation, in which she accused the officer and the three policemen of sexually assaulting her inside the station, identified as the Nehre police center. Diwaniya Police Directorate said it had decided to form an investigative team to examine the personnel involved, in line with the judicial order. The arrest decision was issued under Article 14 of the Internal Security Forces Penal Code. Officials said the investigation is continuing to determine all dimensions of the incident and to verify the allegations raised. No further details were immediately available.