By Greg Hazley
The head of media relations for Iraq’s Dhi Qar province was arrested this week after writing articles critical of the government, according to watchdog groups.
Murtadha al-Shatour, the PR chief for the provide police based in Al-Nasiriyya, was taken into custody by Iraqi security forces on April 4 after he published a web article in January criticizing government security policies, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. He is a regular contributor to Azzaman, an independent daily newspaper.
The Journalistic Freedom Observatory, an Iraqi media watchdog, said politicians were behind al-Shahtour’s arrest.
Assafir Press, an Iraqi publication, reported that al-Shatour’s piece criticized Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s process for choosing security ministers from his own party. The publication said al Maliki ordered the arrest.
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