Seven killed in failed escape attempt at Iraqi Kurdistan prison
Seven killed in failed escape attempt at Iraqi Kurdistan prison
An Arab inmate held on terror charges set a prison cell on fire to cover up a foiled breakout attempt, leaving seven dead and 12 injured.
2 min read
Abandoned prison pictured in Fallujah, Iraq [Getty]
Seven inmates at a jail in an Iraqi Kurdish province have died of asphyxia in a fire started as part of a prison riot that was instigated to cover a foiled breakout attempt.
Officials in the Duhok governorate said in a statement on Saturday that another 12 inmates were being treated for smoke inhalation.
The riot was led by an Arab convict sentenced to death on terrorism-related charges. The riot began when the prisoner assaulted a guard, opened the gates of other cells and set one of the units on fire, according to Duhok Governor Farhad Atrushi.
“Saddam Jasim Hamdan, who has been charged with terrorism three times and has been handed the death sentence, and some other prisoners beat the police officer,” he stated.
Atrushi denied that the clashes at the Zirka prison involved both Kurdish and Arab prisoners.
The prison houses more than 1,000 inmates, 330 of whom are held on terror charges and handed death sentences or serving life in jail.
Dozens are Islamic State fighters arrested by the Kurdistan region's security forces during its three-year campaign against the group.
In December, Human Rights Watch released an 80-page report saying that Iraqi courts were violating the rights of IS suspects with flawed trials and arbitrary detentions. Dozens are Islamic State fighters arrested by the Kurdistan region's security forces during its three-year campaign against the group.
Prisons across Iraq have been bursting at the seams following the detention of thousands of Islamic State militants. Iraq declared victory over the group in December.
Some 20,000 people were arrested during a years-long offensive by Iraqi forces battling to retake swathes of the country from the Islamic State.
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