Policeman sentenced to death for murder of Iraqi academic and security expert

May 7. (EUROPE PRESS) –

A Baghdad court has sentenced an Iraqi police officer, Ahmed Hamdawi Ueid al-Kenani, to death for the killing of prominent academic and security expert Hisham al-Hashimi three years ago.

Al Kenani has been sentenced under anti-terrorism legislation, according to a court statement picked up by pan-Arab television Al Arabiya

Al Hashimi was an expert on Sunni armed groups and Islamic State and had close ties to the top Iraqi power. He was shot dead in front of his house in July 2020 by four individuals riding two motorcycles.

He was also one of the most critical voices with pro-Iranian armed groups such as the Popular Mobilization Forces, also linked to the main Iraqi Shiite political parties.

Al Kenani confessed after being arrested that he was in command of the group that assassinated Al Hashimi in the middle of the street and videos from security cameras have been released that would support this version.