Najaf court sentences governorate official to four months in prison over governor's complaint

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A misdemeanor court in Najaf has convicted the city's governorate official, Ali Kazim, and sentenced him to four months in simple imprisonment, according to a decision document issued by the court. The Najaf Penal Court of First Instance found him guilty under Article 229 of Iraq's amended Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, the document showed. The case was opened on a complaint filed by Najaf Governor Yusuf Kenawi against the governorate official. It stemmed from an audio recording that was leaked and was alleged to contain insults directed at the governor's father. The four-month sentence falls under the category of simple imprisonment under Iraqi law. The ruling has been published in the decision document, and the article does not specify whether the defense intends to appeal. Neither the governor's office nor the governorate official had issued a public statement on the verdict at the time of publication. The case is the latest flashpoint between local administrative officials in Najaf, though no further details were immediately available.