Iraqi Interior Ministry probes traffic directorate assault in Najaf

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry has opened an investigation into a traffic directorate officer and two personnel accused of assaulting a citizen in the city of Najaf, the ministry said in a statement. Ministry Senior Undersecretary Hussein al-Awadi ordered the officer and two personnel detained and referred for legal proceedings, according to the statement. Al-Awadi stressed that the primary duty of security personnel is to protect and serve the public. The ministry said the law will be applied without exception to safeguard the reputation of security institutions and strengthen public confidence in Iraq's streets. It reiterated that the Interior Ministry will not tolerate any behavior that violates citizens' dignity or exceeds legal limits. No further details on the incident or the investigation were immediately available.