Al Hilo was last seen on October 7, 2019 leaving his clinic in Baghdad. His family believes that he was abducted by members of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) between his workplace and the place where he parked his car, and were also informed that this incident was intended to “truly scare him”. Local authorities have not acknowledged Al Hilo’s arrest or his whereabouts to date. However, authorities were informally informed that he may be currently detained at the National Security headquarter in Baghdad.

After finding Al Hilo’s car outside his clinic the next morning on October 8, 2019, his relatives reported his abduction to the police station in the Al Amel neighbourhood in Baghdad. The policemen informed them that they were unaware of his arrest or whereabouts.

Al Hilo had been actively taking part in protests since 2015 and was known to have written journalistic articles analysing the political and economic situation. His arrest abduction falls within the context of repression against peaceful demonstrators in Iraq. On October 1, 2019, protests started in Baghdad and southern cities calling for improved services and more action to curb corruption. The demonstrations were met by excessive and unnecessary lethal force by Iraqi security forces.

Al Hilo was released on October 24, 2019.