Iraqi PM says suspects in killing of Hisham al-Hashimi arrested

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced on Friday the arrest of suspects involved in the assassination of prominent security expert Hisham al-Hashimi.

Hashimi was shot dead in a brazen attack outside his home in Baghdad by two gunmen in July 2020. He was among the leading analysts who advised the federal government on fighting terrorism and most recently became vocal against the growing influence of pro-Iran militia groups.

People close to Kadhimi have said that Hashimi's killing was directly tied to his work that was critical of pro-Iran groups.

A government source told Kurdistan 24 that Iraq's public broadcaster will air confession tapes of the suspects at six o'clock in the evening, Thursday.

Kadhimi had repeatedly promised to hold the perpetrators to account.

Militia leaders have denied any role in the killing, and no group has claimed responsibility for killing him so far. Kadhimi's government has not accused any group in the killing either.

"We promised to capture Husham Alhashimi’s killers. We fulfilled that promise. We have arrested hundreds of criminals - murderers of innocent Iraqis like Ahmed Abdulsamad," Kadhimi said in a tweet.

"We don’t care about media spin: we carry out our duties in the service of our people & in pursuit of justice."