One dead and a dozen injured during a demonstration in Iraq

A protester was shot dead and at least a dozen were injured this Tuesday in Baghdad during a protest by thousands of Iraqis to demand justice for the murders of pro-democracy militants and journalists, reported medical and police sources..

Thirteen protesters were injured by tear gas fired by police forces trying to disperse the rally, said those forces..

Five policemen were injured by the launch of projectiles, the medical source said. The deceased protester, Mohamad Baker, had traveled from Diwaniya (south) to participate in the protest, reported the Al Kindi hospital in Baghdad, where he was transferred.

Under the slogan “Who killed me?”, and with large photographs of victims who fell under the bullets of unknown assailants, the Iraqis paraded through the main squares of the capital, Tahrir, Ferdaus and al Nossur.

The protesters, who were surrounded by a large police force, came from Baghdad and also from other cities such as Karbala, Najaf and Nasiriyah, the scene of the murder of at least 70 pro-democracy militants..

In addition, dozens of other activists have been kidnapped for short periods of time..

Since the start of the protests against the corruption that gangrenes the country and in favor of democratic reforms, in October 2019, the movement has been constantly harassed..

The militants believe that the assassins and provocateurs have links to the security forces, and to Iran..

“With our soul and our blood we sacrifice ourselves for you, Iraq”, as well as “Revolution against the parties”, shouted the protesters, the vast majority of whom were young..

Calls for a boycott of early legislative elections in October are multiplying in Iraq because of these unpunished attacks.