Violent Attack on Innocent Member in Iraq

A new report brings to light a series of serious human rights violations committed against Mr. Mushtaq Dakhil Ali Abd, an Iraqi national and member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The documented abuses include arbitrary arrest, abduction by state-affiliated security forces, 40 days of arbitrary detention, coercive interrogation, and ongoing persecution tied directly to his religious beliefs and peaceful expression.

The findings reveal that Mr. Mushtaq was deliberately targeted for exercising his fundamental rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

Mr. Mushtaq Dakhil Ali Abd, born 3 April 1979, is an Iraqi citizen of Arab origin residing in the Al-Rumaitha District of Al-Muthanna Governorate. A married father of two and an informal laborer, he previously practiced Shia Islam before embracing the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in September 2021.

Since his conversion, Mr. Mushtaq has participated exclusively in peaceful online religious outreach, using platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to share his beliefs. His family members also follow and support the same religious faith.

The report underscores the urgent need for protection of Mr. Mushtaq’s fundamental rights and calls for immediate attention from the international community to address the violations he continues to face.

Background and Targeting

In March and April 2025, Mr. Mushtaq published posts on social media expressing criticism of Iraq’s religious establishment, including prominent religious figures. Following these publications, he was subjected to monitoring by intelligence elements affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF / al-Hashd al-Shaabi). An individual believed to be acting on behalf of PMF intelligence contacted Mr. Mushtaq through social media under the pretense of interest in his religious beliefs. Through this interaction, the individual obtained access to Mr. Mushtaq’s online religious activities, livestreams, and discussion groups. This material was later relied upon to initiate legal action against him.

On the 2nd of October 2025, a PMF-affiliated police vehicle was observed parked outside Mr. Mushtaq’s residence for several minutes before leaving after determining that he was not present. Arrest and Abduction On 6 October 2025, Mr. Mushtaq was invited to a meeting by the same individual under the guise of discussing religious matters. Upon his arrival at the agreed location, the area was suddenly surrounded by multiple vehicles carrying armed men affiliated with PMF intelligence. Mr. Mushtaq was blindfolded, handcuffed, and forcibly placed into a civilian vehicle by armed men in plain clothes. No arrest warrant was presented at the time, and he was not informed of the reasons for his arrest. His personal vehicle was left abandoned on a public road. Although a judicial order was later cited, the manner of arrest constituted abduction by state-affiliated security forces and violated basic due process standards.

Detention and Coercive Interrogation

Following his arrest, Mr. Mushtaq was taken first to the PMF headquarters in Al-Diwaniyah and later transferred to the PMF Intelligence headquarters in Baghdad. He was detained for a total of 40 days. During detention, Mr. Mushtaq was held in a confined cell measuring approximately six meters by three meters. He was subjected to intimidation, humiliation, and degrading treatment, including mockery related to his appearance and religious beliefs. While he was allowed limited phone contact, he was denied effective access to legal safeguards.

Interrogations focused exclusively on Mr. Mushtaq’s religious beliefs and peaceful expression. He was questioned about his belief in Imam Ahmad al-Hasan and Aba Al-Sadiq, the leaders of the faith, his online religious activities, and who Aba Al-Sadiq was. Interrogators threatened him with torture and intentionally exposed him to the sounds of other detainees being tortured nearby as a means of intimidation. Sectarian language was also used during questioning. Although Mr. Mushtaq does not report physical assault, the cumulative treatment caused severe psychological distress.

Judicial Proceedings After his initial detention by PMF intelligence, Mr. Mushtaq was brought before the Al-Karkh First Investigative Court, which ordered his detention for 40 days. The charge cited against him was “joining a deviant religious group” under Article 372 of the Iraqi Penal Code (No. 111 of 1969, as amended). Upon completion of the 40-day detention, he was presented to the Al-Karkh Misdemeanor Court, where judicial questioning focused exclusively on his religious beliefs, peaceful expression online, and criticism of religious authorities, rather than on any recognized criminal conduct. Mr. Mushtaq stated that he was innocent and affirmed his right to freedom of religion.

The Misdemeanor Court initially imposed a fine of 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars, which was subsequently waived in consideration of the time he had already spent in detention. The presiding judge explicitly warned Mr. Mushtaq that any future public expression of his religious beliefs would result in severe legal consequences.

Ongoing Risk

Mr. Mushtaq continues to reside in a rural area where the local neighbourhood chief reportedly cooperates with PMF intelligence by providing information about residents. As a result, Mr. Mushtaq remains under monitoring and faces a credible risk of renewed arrest, retaliation, or further ill-treatment. Due to financial constraints, he is unable to relocate to a safer area. Legal Assessment and Conclusion Mushtaq Dakhil Ali Abd was subjected to arbitrary detention for a period of 40 days, following abduction by state-affiliated security forces, and carried out without effective due process safeguards.

He was further subjected to coercive interrogation aimed at suppressing his religious beliefs and peaceful expression. The circumstances of his arrest, detention, and judicial proceedings raise serious concerns regarding violations of the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression under international human rights law. Continued surveillance and explicit judicial warnings place Mr. Mushtaq at ongoing risk of further violations. International attention and appropriate protective measures are urgently required.

According to Amnesty International’s report Absolute Impunity: Militia Rule in Iraq, militias operate above the law and carry out arrests and other actions under various pretexts. Successive governments have allowed and encouraged them to function outside any legal framework and have not been held accountable for the crimes they commit. As a result, the continued influence of such militias, including elements of the PMF, places Mr. Mushtaq and other members of his faith at heightened risk of arbitrary arrest, detention, and other abuses with impunity — seriously endangering their personal safety and lives.