Iraqi Politician Hidayet Molla Released, Apologizes to Kadhimi

Iraqi politician and former lawmaker Hidayet Molla was released after all cases against him were concluded, following two and a half months in prison. Molla said the step closed a long-running legal file and that he respected the judicial process. He apologized to former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi for previous remarks that linked him to the targeting of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Hashd al-Shaabi. Molla said the accusation had been based on false and misleading information. The Federal Court of Cassation acquitted Molla in April of charges related to promoting the banned Baath Party and ordered his release. Baghdad’s Karkh Criminal Court had sentenced him to two years in prison in March in the same case, but the ruling was later overturned on appeal.