PHOTOS: Iraqi security arrest drug gang led by Governor of holiest Shia city's son

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi security on Sunday arrested a drug-trafficking gang in a southern suburb of Baghdad led by the son of the Governor of Najaf, one of the holiest cities in the world.

“The group had three members and was led by Jawad Luay al-Yasiri, the son of the Governor of Najaf,” a security source told Kurdistan 24.

The Baghdad Operations Command in a statement issued on Sunday night said a security force arrested the gang in the predominantly Shia Bayaa district, south of Iraq’s capital.

The gang was caught with a large amount of narcotics in their possession, according to the statement, without giving further details.

Activists posted pictures of six kilos of cannabis, 800 narcotic pills, forged identity cards, and weapons which were seized by Iraqi security.

The pictures show official access cards for the intelligence service, the Iraqi cabinet, the province of Najaf and other places, all in the name of Jawad Luay Jawad. One even designated him a Lieutenant.

Najaf Governor Luay al-Yasiri is a member of the Dawa Party led by former Iraqi Prime Minister and current Vice-President, Nouri al-Maliki, a prominent member of the State of Law coalition, and served as Director of Najaf Traffic Police for several years. The Najaf Governor holds the military rank of Colonel within the Interior Ministry.

Recently, the Governor launched a crackdown on unlicensed casinos and cafes and launched a campaign to spread the veil in the city where the shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Mohammed's cousin, is located.

“I express my keenness for the rule of law and the fight against crime in all its forms. Justice and the rule of law must apply to everyone without exception,” Luay said in a statement since his son’s arrest.

“I would like to express my surprise at the large and systematic media exaggeration and the timing of the coverage which coincided with the proceedings of the case. This indicates the existence of a political smear campaign against the Governor of the holy city of Najaf, so near to the upcoming legislative elections in May.”

The Governor of Najaf called on the Iraqi judicial authorities to handle his son’s case “with full impartiality, regardless of the identity of the accused and background as he is an Iraqi citizen accused under the rule of law and institutions.”

Najaf is a wealthy city known as the third holiest site for Shia Muslims, where millions, namely Iranians, travel to each year as part of their pilgrimage.  

The people of Iraq have repeatedly complained on social media networks that family members and relatives of Iraqi officials and party leaders flaunt the rule of law and have acted with impunity over the past 14 years since the fall of the authoritarian system.

Editing by Nadia Riva