Iraqi Protest Victims' Families to Sue Badr Leader Over Remarks

Families of victims of Iraq's 2019 "Tishreen" protests are preparing to file lawsuits against Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri over recent remarks he made about armed factions' role in suppressing the demonstrations. Al-Amiri described the protests, which began in October 2019 against the political system, as a "Tishreen sedition," sparking widespread criticism. Dozens of victim families are now compiling documents proving their relatives were killed or injured in clashes with security forces to submit as evidence in court cases. Al-Amiri has not responded to interpretations of his comments, but a Shia politician close to the Coordination Framework told Asharq al-Awsat that his remarks were intended as a defense of the factions' position at a critical moment.