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Iraqi courts seeking out atheists for prosecution

Atheism is increasing among young people in Iraq, which some are blaming on Islamic parties' mismanagement of the country.
Iraqi people shout slogans during a demonstration against the poor quality of basic services, power outages and calling for trial of corrupt politicians in Baghdad, Iraq, August 28, 2015. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday ordered security forces to ease access to Baghdad's fortified Green Zone and main streets, in an apparent bid to improve daily life for ordinary Iraqis as fresh protests erupted across the country. Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Friday in
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Arrest warrants have been issued for four Iraqis on atheism charges, according to Dhi Qar province's Garraf district judiciary. The announcement garnered quite a reaction on media and social networks, as some say these hunts infringe on the rights of the Iraqi people, whose constitution guarantees them freedom of belief and expression. Other observers say the campaign has political aspects.

Dhidan al-Ekili, the chief Garraf judge, told local Iraqi newspapers March 11 that security forces had been able to arrest one of the four indicted, as the search for the remaining three continued. Ekili said they are being pursued for “holding seminars during social gatherings to promote the idea of the nonexistence of God and to spread and popularize atheism.”

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