Iraq TV station attacked by mob charged with insulting Shiite Muslims
Dijlah TV was attacked after playing music during an event marking the Shiite holiday of Ashura. The owner, who has been charged with insulting Shiite Muslims, blames Iran-backed militias for the incident.
An Iraqi television station was attacked for programming considered offensive during a Shiite Muslim commemoration. And now the government has issued an arrest warrant for the network’s owner over the alleged insults.
On Monday, protesters headed to the Baghdad office of Iraqi news outlet Dijlah, where they started a fire and damaged property. Iraqi media outlets reported that the outrage was over Dijlah's music programming during the Ashura event Aug. 28-29.
Ashura commemorates the death of third Shiite Imam Husayn ibn Ali, who was murdered in A.D. 680. Ashura is a solemn occasion of mourning.
Security forces responded to the attack, which included “down with Dijlah” spray-painted on the walls outside the station.
