Since 1999, Ms Suadad Al Salhy has been covering politics and security in Iraq for several global news organisations. Since January 2020, she has been writing for the Middle East Eye.
In her career, Ms Al Salhy has covered some of the most important stories of the past two decades in the Middle East, including abuses committed by different parties in Iraq. Since 2003, she has been regularly receiving threats from multiple sides and was subjected to attempts of kidnapping and assassination.
On October 22, 2020, an arrest warrant was issued against Ms Al Salhy over allegations of “defamation”, punishable under article 433(1) of the Iraqi Penal Code by detention in combination with a fine, or by one of those penalties. Under this provision, the publication of such “defamation” in a newspaper or publication or other press medium constitutes an aggravating circumstance.
While Ms Al Salhy has previously faced reprisals for her work as a journalist, this is the first time she is subjected to judicial harassment. MENA Rights Group and Reporters Without Borders believe that the warrant issued against her is directly linked to her work as a journalist and her critical reporting.