Annual Prison Census 2009: Iraq
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 8 December 2009 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Annual Prison Census 2009: Iraq, 8 December 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4b220c9e28.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Journalists in prison as of December 1, 2009
Iraq (in U.S. custody): 1
Ibrahim Jassam, freelance
Imprisoned: September 2, 2008
Jassam, a freelance photographer working for Reuters, was detained by U.S. and Iraqi forces during a raid on his home in Mahmoodiya, south of Baghdad, Reuters reported. At the time of the arrest, a U.S. military spokesman told CPJ that the journalist was deemed "a threat to the security of Iraq and coalition forces."
In November 2008, the Iraqi Central Criminal Court ruled that there was no evidence to hold Jassam and ordered the U.S. military to release him, Reuters reported. U.S. military authorities rejected the court order, saying that he "continued to pose a serious threat to the security and stability of Iraq."
The military has disclosed no evidence against Jassam, and he has never been charged with a crime.
U.S. troops have detained dozens of journalists – mostly Iraqis – since the war in Iraq began in March 2003, CPJ research found. In at least 12 cases, journalists were held for prolonged periods without charge or due process. In all other cases, the journalists were freed without charges ever being substantiated.
