Saturday 13th Juy 2021
Press release
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The Egyptian Alliance for Human Rights and Development condemns the attack on journalist and political activist Ali Al-Makdam, after he was kidnapped last Friday, in the Jadriya area in the capital, Baghdad, and was tortured by his kidnappers who interrogated him about an article he wrote about Iranian influence in Iraq. Iraqi security forces freed the Iraqi activist, and he was transferred to a hospital in Baghdad. Al-Makdam has promised to continue opposing the militias, and to not stop writing against the armed Iranian militias.
The Egyptian Alliance for Human Rights and Development affirms that acts of violence against journalists and political activists, whether physical or verbal, not only constitute a violation of human rights, but also constitute a serious threat to democracy.
The Alliance states that Al-Makdam is known for his activities among demonstrators within the popular movement, and for his constant criticism of political parties in the country as well as the militias; He has received death threats after publishing an article about the head of the Al-Fateh Alliance Hadi Al-Amiri.
The Egyptian Alliance for Human Rights and Development calls for the urgent need to arrest the perpetrators, to deter them and others in order to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future, the Alliance calls for the need to respect freedom of opinion and expression, and to confront opinion with opinion.
