Iraq media watchdog condemns attacks against newspaper
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 February 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraq media watchdog condemns attacks against newspaper, 11 February 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5331456cf.html [accessed 5 June 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. |
February 11, 2014
By RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq
An Iraqi newspaper's caricature of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resulted in death threats for the cartoonist.
BAGHDAD – An Iraqi media freedom watchdog has raised concerns over an attack against a Baghdad-based newspaper.
In a statement issued on February 10, the Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq said that three bombs had exploded near the entrance to the headquarters of the "al-Sabah-al-Jadeed" (New Morning) newspaper the previous day, severely damaging the newspaper's offices.
The attack took place after the newspaper printed a caricature of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 6.
The newspaper's editor, Ismail Zayer, was cited by the association as saying that the author of the caricature, Ahmad al-Rubaie, had received threats from unspecified armed groups.
The newspaper's offices were attacked despite the fact that it issued an apology in its issue on February 8.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
