PHOTOS: Erbil holds candlelight vigil for assassinated Iraqi security expert

On Saturday, candles were lit in the Kurdistan Region’s capital city of Erbil to honor the death of slain Iraqi security and terrorism expert Hisham al-Hashimi who was gunned down outside his home in Baghdad in early July.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Saturday, candles were lit in the Kurdistan Region’s capital city of Erbil to honor the death of slain Iraqi security and terrorism expert Hisham al-Hashimi who was gunned down outside his home in Baghdad in early July.

Hashimi, 47, was a prominent expert on Islamic extremist groups, including the so-called Islamic State. Following the territorial defeat of the Islamic State, he became an eloquent opponent of the Iranian-backed Shia militias that have risen to prominence in the course of Iraq’s war against the Islamic State.

Candles are lit in front of the pictures of prominent security expert Hisham al-Hashimi in the Kurdistan Region's Erbil, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)
Candles are lit in front of the pictures of prominent security expert Hisham al-Hashimi in the Kurdistan Region's Erbil, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)

Immediately after his assassination, widespread condemnations from Iraqi academics, journalists, intellectuals, and political circles strongly followed.

Likewise, top Kurdistan Region officials strongly condemned the murder of the expert and had urged Baghdad authorities to bring the perpetrators of the criminal act to justice.

A mask-clad participant lights a candle in front of Hisham al-Hashimi's posters in the capital city of the Kurdistan Region, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)
A mask-clad participant lights a candle in front of Hisham al-Hashimi's posters in the capital city of the Kurdistan Region, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)

Hashimi was killed outside his home in Baghdad’s Zayouna neighborhood, in the eastern half of the city, where he was ambushed by four men on two motorcycles, who shot him several times, according to CCTV camera installed in the area. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. 

During the evening in Erbil city, a lady lights a candle to honor the death of Hisham al-Hashimi, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)
During the evening in Erbil city, a lady lights a candle to honor the death of Hisham al-Hashimi, July 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Safin Hamed)

Hisham’s assassination has sparked fear among journalists that Iraq could go back to its dark days when critical voices were silenced by assassinations or kidnappings.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany 

(Khrush Najari contributed to this report)