Arrest warrant issued against Trump by Iraqi judge over leader’s assassination

Arrest warrant issued: Outgoing United States President Donald Trump is going to have tough days ahead as he will leave office in less than two weeks. Iraqi judge in Baghdad investigative court has issued an arrest warrant against Trump over killing of paramilitary leader of Iraq. The leader was killed last year during targeted assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

The Iraqi leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was deputy head of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, an organization backed by Iran. On January 3, 2020 US forces carried out an airstrike that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis. 

PMF (Popular Mobilization Forces) is a Shia paramilitary force which is comprised of former militias having close association with Iran. It was recognized as an independent military force entity under a 2016 Iraqi law. The PMF is under jurisdiction of the Prime Minister and answers to him directly.  

On Thursday, Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq released a statement, “After the completion of the preliminary investigation procedures, the judge decided to issue an arrest warrant for the outgoing President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.” 

The statement further added, “The investigation procedures will continue to find out the other participants in the implementation of this crime, whether they are Iraqis or foreigners.”

Iran has also released an arrest warrant against Trump in connection with its leader Soleimani’s killing. Soleimani was a prominent figure in Iran and architect of increasing presence and growth of its military presence in Iraq, Yemen and Syria. He was the leader of Iran Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, a high profile unit handling Iran’s international operations. The organization is categorized as a terrorist organization by the US. 

Iran’s Fars news agency reported claims by Tehran attorney general Ali Alqasi Mehr that after his term ends, Trump would be prosecuted. 

Last week, marking a year of their leader’s death, a large crowd carried out a memorial service around midnight at the drone strike site. Tributes were broadcasted by PMF as the attendees chanted, “God is great, America is the great Satan.”