Soldier who exposed military depot theft found dead after torture, family says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The family of a soldier stationed at the Taji military camp in northern Baghdad said he was tortured to death after uncovering a theft at an arms depot. The family told local media that the soldier had been responsible for the weapons depot and was subjected to torture over several days after he exposed the theft. They said marks of torture and a broken arm were found on his body ahead of the funeral. According to the family, witnesses to the incident have been identified. The soldier’s relatives have appealed to the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister and the Chief of the General Staff, asking that their son be recognized as a martyr and that those responsible for the torture be held to account. They urged the competent authorities to open an investigation and begin legal proceedings against those involved. No official statement from Iraqi security authorities or the Defense Ministry had been made public at the time of the family’s account. No further details on the circumstances of the theft or the soldier’s death were immediately available.