Shafaq News-Basra
The Basra Courtof Appeal ordered the release of Ali al-Abadi, head of the Iraq Center forHuman Rights, on a five-million-dinar (about $3,800) bail on Monday, followinga complaint filed by the Basra Health Directorate on June 30.
Legalproceedings will continue under standard judicial procedures, defense attorneyAhmed Karim Sawadi told Shafaq News, expressing the defense team's confidencein the Iraqi judiciary and its commitment to pursuing the case to a finalruling.
Earlier thismonth, Al-Abadi told local media that the Basra Health Directorate filed thecomplaint after his center exposed “shortcomings” within the institution,despite a provincial council decision months earlier to dismiss its director, adecision that has yet to be implemented.
The case is thesixth lawsuit filed against the center by various government bodies in recentmonths, he said, describing the pattern as an attempt to silence theorganization. "Many directorates view our activity as an embarrassmentbefore public opinion, which drives them to file lawsuits."
Iraqiauthorities also detained al-Abadi in December 2025 before releasing him onfinancial bail.
Al-Abadi's workinvolves following up on citizens' cases, monitoring violations, and receivingappeals and complaints from various segments of society, Sawadi explained,adding that media statements made by his client reflect that work and are notintended to harm any party.