السجن 15 عامًا لمتهم شارك في خطف صحفية أمريكية ببغداد

The Central Criminal Court in (Baghdad/Rusafa) issued a 15-year prison sentence against the accused Amir Rahim Jabar Lazim, after convicting him of participating in the kidnapping of American journalist Shelley Kittleson, according to the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

An informed source reported that the ruling came after the completion of investigative procedures that proved the accused's involvement in the operation, which garnered widespread attention both inside and outside Iraq.

Kittleson - an independent journalist residing in Rome who works with American and European media organizations - was kidnapped on March 31 while in Baghdad, before the Hezbollah Brigades later announced her release, stipulating that she leave the country immediately. Iraqi authorities received the journalist after her release and made arrangements for her exit from Iraq as part of the security procedures in place.

The ruling comes in the context of judicial and security efforts to pursue those involved in kidnapping operations targeting journalists and media workers, amid official assurances that such crimes pose a direct threat to the safety of journalistic work and the security environment in the country.