By Daryl Lang
© Reuters / Mohammed Ameen
Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed
The U.S. military refuses to release an Iraqi freelance
photojournalist who works for the Reuters news agency, despite an
order by an Iraqi court that he be released from detention.
A military spokesperson told Reuters that Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed
would be freed after the end of the year, depending on his “threat
level.”
The U.S. has said in the past that it has the right to keep holding
security detainees even if an Iraqi court orders them freed. A
spokesperson repeated this explanation in a statement about why
Jassam is still being held.
"Though we appreciate the decision of the Central Criminal Court of
Iraq in the Jassam case, their decision does not negate the
intelligence information that currently lists him as a threat to
Iraq security and stability," Major
Neal Fisher said in an
e-mail, according to Reuters.
Fisher added that Jassam could be freed next year, when the
military plans to release many of its detainees and turn others
over to the Iraqi government.
"He will be processed for release in a safe and orderly manner
after December 31st, in the order of his individual threat level,
along with all other detainees," Fisher said.
Reuters editor-in-chief
David Schlesinger said he was
“disappointed” in the development.
Jassam was arrested September 2 at his home in Mahmudiya, about 20
miles south of Baghdad. His cameras were confiscated and he was
arrested as a threat to security.
Last month, Iraqi prosecutors asked the U.S. military for evidence
against Jassam. Receiving none, they ordered him freed, according
to Reuters.
The military has held several photojournalists as security
detainees over the course of the war in Iraq. Most, if not all,
were eventually released without charges. Next year the U.S. plans
to begin dismantling its massive security detainee system in Iraq,
releasing some prisoners and turning others over to the Iraqi
government.
Related stories
Dec. 1: Photographer Ibrahim Jassam Ordered Freed in Iraq, Reuters
Says
Sept. 4: Another Iraqi Photographer Detained as “Security
Threat”
Despite Release Order, Reuters Photographer Jassam Still In Custody
Dec 9, 2008
By Daryl Lang
Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed
The U.S. military refuses to release an Iraqi freelance photojournalist who works for the Reuters news agency, despite an order by an Iraqi court that he be released from detention.
A military spokesperson told Reuters that Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed would be freed after the end of the year, depending on his “threat level.”
The U.S. has said in the past that it has the right to keep holding security detainees even if an Iraqi court orders them freed. A spokesperson repeated this explanation in a statement about why Jassam is still being held.
"Though we appreciate the decision of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq in the Jassam case, their decision does not negate the intelligence information that currently lists him as a threat to Iraq security and stability," Major
Neal Fisher said in an e-mail, according to Reuters.
Fisher added that Jassam could be freed next year, when the military plans to release many of its detainees and turn others over to the Iraqi government.
"He will be processed for release in a safe and orderly manner after December 31st, in the order of his individual threat level, along with all other detainees," Fisher said.
Reuters editor-in-chief
David Schlesinger said he was “disappointed” in the development.
Jassam was arrested September 2 at his home in Mahmudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. His cameras were confiscated and he was arrested as a threat to security.
Last month, Iraqi prosecutors asked the U.S. military for evidence against Jassam. Receiving none, they ordered him freed, according to Reuters.
The military has held several photojournalists as security detainees over the course of the war in Iraq. Most, if not all, were eventually released without charges. Next year the U.S. plans to begin dismantling its massive security detainee system in Iraq, releasing some prisoners and turning others over to the Iraqi government.
Related stories
Dec. 1: Photographer Ibrahim Jassam Ordered Freed in Iraq, Reuters Says
Sept. 4: Another Iraqi Photographer Detained as “Security Threat”
