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After four armed Americans were arrested by the security guards of Baghdad Governor Salah Abdul Razak, his statement threatening to kill any foreigner who would act as the four arrested Americans, raised questions over the state of law’s sovereignty, the right of accused to a fair trial and the open authorities of officials that could extend to killing.
“If this incident occurs again, we might kill them. We do not allow for any similar violation to happen again. They might come under fire whether they were Americans or others. They will be treated as any terrorist would be treated”, Baghdad Governor Abdul Razak stated.
In a statement to Alsumaria, legal experts confirmed that diplomats are protected by virtue of international conventions mainly Geneva’s pact for diplomatic commissions and committees. Iraq’s sanctions law stipulates specific conditions that justify shooting in case of self defense stressing however that people’s sense of danger is not a sufficient justification for shooting at others, experts argued.
Iraqi Human Rights Minister Mohammed Sudani clarified for his part that the right to fire is restricted to competent security forces. Whoever feels in danger should resort to Iraq’s judiciary renowned for its justice, he said.
The New York Times had published earlier an article quoting sources from the US Embassy which reports that the Iraqi government has chased, arrested and threatened a number of US Embassy contractors in Baghdad. These acts are regarded by observers as an attempt by the Iraqi government to impose an influential role after the withdrawal of US Forces at the end of 2011.
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