In dramatic move, Iraqi PM visits prisons in response to protester appeals

Mustafa Saadoun

Aug 13, 2020

Iraqi detainees leave the prison after being freed on February 28, 2013 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. 160 prisoners were freed today and Iraq has freed 4,000 prisoners since the beginning of 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Hussein al-Shahristani said Thursday, in an apparent bid to placate protesters in Sunni areas of the country. AFP/ PHOTO/ ALI AL-SAADI (Photo credit should read ALI AL-SAADI/AFP via Getty Images) — Iraqi detainees leave prison after being freed in the capital Baghdad, in an apparent bid to placate protesters in Sunni areas of the country, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2013. — ALI AL-SAADI/AFP via Getty Images

Suzan Romeo, sister of Abdel Massih Romeo, who was kidnapped March 1, appealed to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Aug. 8, to reveal her brother’s fate.

Romeo, a Christian, tweeted, “I want back my brother Abdel Massih. My brother is in a secret prison.” According to his fellow activists, the riot police arrested Romeo and transferred him to a prison at al-Muthanna airport in Baghdad.