Saudi authorities have arrested Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Omar Nizar during Umrah in Mecca, following his social media post praying for Palestinian and Hezbollah victories. Nizar, previously sentenced to life imprisonment for involvement in the 2019 Zaytoun Bridge Massacre, had his sentence overturned due to insufficient evidence. His arrest in Saudi Arabia has drawn international attention as Iraqi officials remain silent on the matter.
Saudi authorities have detained Lieutenant Colonel Omar Nizar, an officer in the elite Rapid Response Forces of Iraq, while he was undertaking Umrah in Mecca. His arrest reportedly stemmed from a social media video in which he expressed prayers for the success of Palestinians in Gaza and Hezbollah members in Lebanon. This video has circulated widely, and soon after, public prosecution in Saudi Arabia referred his case to the State Security Agency. His attorney informed Iraqi state television that the future of Colonel Nizar remains uncertain. Nizar has been a controversial figure in Iraqi circles due to his supposed involvement in the Zaytoun Bridge Massacre that occurred during the anti-government protests in 2019. He previously received a life sentence in June 2023 for allegedly commanding security forces to fire upon protesters in Nasiriyah, resulting in approximately 20 fatalities and 190 injuries. These protests originated in October 2019 as a public reaction to systemic issues including inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and rampant unemployment, leading to over 600 deaths nationally and severe violence in Nasiriyah. However, just months after his sentencing, Iraq’s Court of Appeals overturned Nizar’s life sentence, citing a lack of sufficient evidence and inconsistencies in eyewitness testimonies against him. Consequently, he was released. The Zaytoun Bridge Massacre, recognized as one of the most fatal episodes during the protests, played a significant role in triggering the resignation of then-Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. Despite widespread international condemnation, including remarks from the United Nations regarding Iraq’s enduring impunity regarding violence against protesters, few have been held accountable for the casualties resulting from the demonstrations. Nizar’s recent arrest in Saudi Arabia has drawn heightened scrutiny, though there has been no official commentary from Iraqi authorities regarding the incident. The New Arab attempted to reach Mr. Miqdad Miri, the spokesperson for Iraq’s Interior Ministry, but he was not available for comment.
The episode involves Lieutenant Colonel Omar Nizar, a noteworthy figure in Iraq’s military due to his previous controversial actions during the 2019 protests, specifically regarding the Zaytoun Bridge Massacre. His arrest in Saudi Arabia raises questions about international norms related to freedom of expression and the treatment of military officials accused of serious human rights violations. The context of his social media posts, which relate to the Palestinian struggle, also mirrors the complex political relation between regional actors and highlights the sensitivity revolving around expressions of political support or dissent within the Saudi Kingdom.
The detainment of Lieutenant Colonel Omar Nizar in Saudi Arabia underscores critical intersections between military conduct, human rights issues, and freedom of expression in the context of regional politics. Nizar, once a condemned figure in Iraq due to violent protest suppression, now faces legal uncertainty overseas while his past continues to evoke significant discussions on accountability for state-sanctioned violence against civilians. The juxtaposition of his case against his social media activities illustrates the delicate balance of political expression within authoritarian regimes.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
