Iraqi court orders US to free Reuters photographer

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

An Iraqi court on Sunday ordered the release of a freelance photographer working for Reuters news agency who has been held by U.S. forces since early September.

The Iraqi Central Criminal Court ruled there was no evidence against Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed, and ordered that the U.S. military release him from Camp Cropper prison near Baghdad airport. Iraqi prosecutors acknowledged in remarks included in the court ruling that there was a lack of evidence, and said they were closing the case against Jassam. A copy of the court order was supplied to a lawyer working for Reuters.

There was no immediate response from the U.S. military to the ruling.

(snip)
"I'm pleased to learn that a court ordered Ibrahim Jassam released as there was no evidence against him," said Reuters News Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LU123205.htm

[trthnd4jstc]

1. For the Sake of Justice, Release Ibrahim Jassam Immediately. n/t

[Sanity Claws]

2. A test of whether Iraq is an independent country

or just a servant of the US.
It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[ThomCat]

3. But, since when does our military listen to the courts in Iraq?

It could still be months or years before he gets released unless there is continuous public pressure.

How long until it is internationally acknowledged that the US military has been waging a war against journalists?

[truedelphi]

4. The Iraqi bloodbath was even worse for photojournalists and journalists

Than for those in our armed services, or those who were civilians.

[bvar22]

5. Clearly, the Iraqi Goverment does NOT understand....

....the meaning of PUPPET government.
The Bush administration will get a good laugh out of this.